What is Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers” worth with Zendaya in the title role?

Between endless tennis matches and exaltation of hearts, the director of “Call Me by Your Name” tells us the story of an entertaining, but predictable love triangle, embodied by a convincing trio of actors.

Between Call Me by Your Namewhich quickly became a classic of queer cinema, a remake of Suspiria who was unable to convince and a romance that was not unanimous (Bones and All), Luca Guadagnino proposes this time Challengers (release scheduled for April 24) to mark his return, in which he tries to break the codes of sports films.

In this film, Zendaya – after having been Chani in the Dune by Denis Villeneuve –, plays Tashi, a former professional tennis player whose career on the court ended following an injury. She became a coach and sports manager. Her only client is her husband Art (played by Mike Faist, known for his role in West Side Story).

Art managed to become a leading figure in men’s tennis, thanks in large part to Tashi’s guidance. But the champion is losing momentum, his attempt at a comeback will have to be achieved through a victory against his former best friend, Patrick (played by Josh O’Connor, known for his role as Prince Charles in the Netflix series The Crown) who is none other than Tashi’s ex. Two boys, one girl, three possibilities. Thus, Luca Guadagnino draws us a dysfunctional love triangle, which will last 13 years.

Patrick, Art and Tashi each play a very specific role in the story of this trio: one is the cliché of the seducer, the second is ready to do anything to be loved and the third is an ambitious young woman who has seen her destiny to be shattered in the space of a few seconds.

A compelling toxic love triangle

Under the direction of Luca Guadagnino, these three characters, played with conviction by a trio of actors representing the new generation of Hollywood, will find themselves plunged into a love triangle. In the film, Tashi plays with the expectations of her two suitors with mischief, but without falling into the stereotype of the woman who destroys friendships.

More than sexual desire and the promise of sulphurous scenes, the director immerses us in the study of toxic relationships. Patrick and Art embarked on a winding path guided by competition and their respective egos for several years, thirteen years to be precise. It is up to the spectator to turn his head to the right and left to observe the blows which follow one another. These blows which are a metaphor for the power games between Tashi and her two lovers, but above all a metaphor for desire.

Tennis, a metaphor for desire

Fans of sports films may be left wanting more. In fact, theTennis is here the backdrop for several duels of seduction and ego. Many parallels are made between sport and the two young men’s schemes to win Tashi’s heart. Tennis is here a metaphor for desire. A desire, also personified by Tashi, which exercises considerable power over the decisions of each of the two former best friends.

Challengers offers an exchange of balls lasting more than two hours. The pace of the film is slowed down by several flashbacks which accompany the film’s plot. Plot which, even if it is entertaining, remains predictable and does not really delve into the issues. However, the very last part of the film brings some good ideas of suspense and ending between the characters. But the story, in its entirety, remains long.

The sheet

Gender : Drama, Romance
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Actors: Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist
Country : UNITED STATES
Duration : 2h11
Exit : April 24, 2024

Synopsis: During their studies, Patrick and Art fall in love with Tashi. Friends, lovers and rivals at the same time, all three see their paths cross again years later. Their past and present collide and previously unacknowledged tensions resurface.