Challengers
Overview
Challengers is a 2024 romantic sports drama film directed by Luca Guadagnino, starring Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach. The film is set over several years, from 2006 to 2019. The film follows the love triangle between Tashi, her husband Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), and her ex-boyfriend Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor). Art and Patrick were best friends and doubles partners in their youth. They both fell in love with Tashi, a rising tennis star. Tashi dated Patrick, but she was also attracted to Art. She eventually married Art, and she became his coach. Art is a talented but uninspired player. Tashi has turned him into a champion, but he has lost his passion. Patrick is a washed-up player, living out of his car, playing challenger tournaments. The film is structured around a single match between Art and Patrick at a challenger event in New Rochelle, New York. The match is the lowest point of both of their careers. The film flashes back to their past, showing their relationships with Tashi and with each other. The film is a meditation on ambition, competition, and desire. Tashi is a fierce competitor who has been sidelined by a career-ending injury. She lives vicariously through Art, and she is frustrated by his lack of drive. She is also still attracted to Patrick, who represents raw talent and passion. The film ends with the match tied, and Tashi screaming, "Come on!" The film cuts to black, leaving the outcome unknown. Challengers was a critical and commercial success, earning over $96 million on a $55 million budget. The film was praised for its performances, its direction, and its electronic score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Zendaya was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. Challengers is a sexy, smart, and thrilling film about the intersection of love and competition.
