My wife and I watched Challengers (2024) in theaters this evening. The storyline follows a complex love triangle over a 13-year period, centered around three individuals involved in professional tennis. The female protagonist has an intense passion for tennis, and the two men are equally obsessed with her, setting the stage for inevitable disaster.
Directed by Luca Guadagnino (Bones and All), the film stars Zendaya (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Mike Faist (West Side Story), and Josh O'Connor (The Crown).
Challengers is an intricate and well-crafted film. The acting, attire, settings, lighting, and cinematography are all top-notch, showcasing masterful filmmaking. The film has similarities to Saltburn, with its authentic yet awkward relationships. A brilliantly executed hotel scene stands out, though it was not what I expected. The cat-and-mouse dynamics between the characters are intricate and unorthodox, with numerous twists and turns. The film effectively presents characters with no clear heroes, all trapped in their obsessions and causing harm to each other in their privileged world. The ending is somewhat drawn out but ultimately satisfying, with full-circle elements that made me smile, though I wasn't a fan of the very last scene.
In conclusion, Challengers is a well-written and crafted film with dynamic characters and compelling circumstances. I would score this a 7/10 and strongly recommend it.
Directed by Luca Guadagnino (Bones and All), the film stars Zendaya (Spider-Man: Homecoming), Mike Faist (West Side Story), and Josh O'Connor (The Crown).
Challengers is an intricate and well-crafted film. The acting, attire, settings, lighting, and cinematography are all top-notch, showcasing masterful filmmaking. The film has similarities to Saltburn, with its authentic yet awkward relationships. A brilliantly executed hotel scene stands out, though it was not what I expected. The cat-and-mouse dynamics between the characters are intricate and unorthodox, with numerous twists and turns. The film effectively presents characters with no clear heroes, all trapped in their obsessions and causing harm to each other in their privileged world. The ending is somewhat drawn out but ultimately satisfying, with full-circle elements that made me smile, though I wasn't a fan of the very last scene.
In conclusion, Challengers is a well-written and crafted film with dynamic characters and compelling circumstances. I would score this a 7/10 and strongly recommend it.