Challengers (2024) User Reviews

Worth seeing in theaters

[yttjdyvm · 8/10 · 2 May 2024]

Run time could've been a little shorter. There are a couple scenes that could have been shortened without compromising the plot or vibe of the movie.

Movie had lots of cool cinematography shots. The score really elevated the whole movie, in my opinion. I liked how the storyline had a good combination of present day and past tense. Made the climax that much more exciting.

I'm not normally a big sports movie person but this one, while definitely a movie about tennis, is more a movie about the characters and their love, passion and what is it that drives us at our core to be competitive.

Acting was very good. Zendaya was great.

Would see again.

A riot from start to finish

[agreenfox · 9/10 · 30 April 2024]

Challengers feels like an extremely modern film. It's very playful, and dare I say, sporty in the execution of humor. Everything feels like a little game in this movie. We're not supposed to think the fact that these guys are competing for the same girl is scandalous or the actual conflict of the movie. The conflict of the movie is very much centered on the way they both approach the game of tennis and how Zendaya's character is pretty much the one in control. The boys let her do her thing as she uses intelligence and sexuality to motivate them both. The soundtrack adds to the lightheartedness of the film, and there's no actual big traumatizing moment. It's nice to have such a light, breezy film about tennis that has a great sense of humor and also a ton of depth when it comes to themes like financial security, what happens inside country clubs, and where to go when your uber driver abandons you lmao.

Tennis as metaphor and very well done. Captivating love triangle.

[malmevik77 · 9/10 · 27 April 2024]

Challengers

Fire and Ice. Best friends since they were 12, Patrick and Art are rising stars in tennis during the senior year of high school. At the US Open, they meet Tashi (the amazing Zendaya who really can do anything) and are both captivated. It is quickly noticed by Tashi that Art and Patrick seem to be more than best friends.

Challengers takes us back and forth through time, bouncing rapidly just like a tennis ball crossing the court. When the two men both pursue Tashi, it is very clear that Tashi is the tennis ball during the intense relationship between the two men. She mentions early on that tennis is more than just a game, and boy does this film work those themes hard.

The previews left out the fact that LGBTQ+ themes are explored, but with subtlety. The sexual tension between Art and Patrick is so thick, I was left wondering where their relationship was headed. Both men wanted Tashi, but only Art succeeded in marrying her.

The tennis metaphor, and the literal matches, fill the movie with excitement and tension that never gets old or tired. Be prepared to pay close attention because of the rapid fire changes between the three leads. I know Zendaya gets top billing, but I still say that she's the tennis ball; being served between Patrick and Art.

Also, I have to point out that my favorite soundtrack artists lately, Trent Reznor and Atticus Finch (yes Nine Inch Nails) did the music. They are popping up a lot lately in films, and they never disappoint.

This movie was more of an erotic thriller than I thought it would be, because the previews barely touched on the real film. This is a movie worth talking about with friends, so please feel free to engage me. There is a lot left open for interpretation, and a couple of plot holes that weren't filled. One big example is Patrick shows signs of bruising near a vein in his arm. That's an obvious sign of drug abuse, but it's never mentioned other than it being noticed.

Highly recommended film. I'm biased because I love tennis, but I'm a sucker when a literal theme is used as metaphor as well. Go see it. And seriously, hit me up afterwards, I'd love to hear other viewpoints, especially about the Fire and Ice.

Unique

[PedroPires90 · 8/10 · 22 April 2024]

What I love about Guadagnino is that he never tries to replicate others or do something that can be very forgettable. Even if it's not always easy to see the similarities between Call Me By Your Name, Suspiria, Bones & All and Challengers, one thing is certain: they all have a very distinctive approach and are unique cinematic products.

The score of this film is incredible, it's like a whole trip and it evens contributes to make us anxious like we are watching a tense thriller. It is a very sexy film even if sometimes it feels a bit trapped to the Hollywood safe sense of disruption.

The trio is amazing and I was the entire time mesmerised by Zendaya, who lives the more complex and nuanced of the three characters. The tennis scenes are very cool and I love many of the artistic choices, especially the creative editing process, not only in terms of the structure but some fantastic montages.

Better than advertised

[cliftonofun · 8/10 · 4 May 2024]

Based on word of mouth alone, I basically expected this movie to be a sweaty sexy love triangle. Granted, three people kissing while playing tennis didn't seem like enoughy to fill 130 minutes, but that is what I expected anyway. And as a result my expectations were low.

Well, I got more than I bargained for. First off, the movie just flew by for me - I couldn't take my eyes off all three of the stars, and both the synth soundtrack and kinetic camera work pulled me in immediately and never let me go. Second, instead of the usual underdog story, the sports setting offered the backdrop for an interesting reflection on what success looks like, how we each make sense of it, and whether we really want it as bad as we think. So yes, there was sweat, sex, and tennis (and a heavy dose of campiness that seemed quite intentional). But there was more than that too. While the movie followed a familiar formula, it also subverted it enough to keep me interested and entertained throughout.

Exhilarating. Energetic. Excellent.

[parksiet · 10/10 · 4 May 2024]

Exhilarating. Energetic. Excellent.

Luca Guadagnino's Challengers is a riveting, pulse-pounding, thrilling sports romance-drama that blew my mind. I loved, loved, LOVED Challengers - didn't know what to expect, and walked out of the theater totally buzzing. It's smart and sophisticated while still poppy and propulsive. This is cinema that will carve new neural pathways and an essential reminder that film is the director's medium. Luca Guadagnino gifts us the most erotic, expressionistic mid-budget studio drama in years.

Challengers is electric. Every single second of this film is charged with a carnal passion for romance and sport. The chemistry between Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor is utterly intoxicating, as is watching them navigate their pursuit of success in tennis as it becomes inseparable from their personal relationships. I must stress that all three are phenomenal in the film. Zendaya's work, however, is especially staggering. I will 100% be rewatching and overanalyzing everything in the film, but especially the brilliant subtleties in Zendaya's performance, ones that contribute to Tashi's poise and confidence, and how she formulates her strategy to finding the perfect match.

There is so much style in every frame. The cinematography is exquisite and really creative, especially in the final tennis match. It has some of the best camerawork I have seen in a very long time. Much like the plot, it's playful and clever and keeps you on your toes. That final ten minutes is flawless filmmaking. The energy of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' techno score brings the house down with its heart-pounding and electric pulse of energy (The Reznor/Ross score is riveting and purposefully over-the-top on occasion, as it plays an integral role in (brilliantly) evoking specific emotions - it meshes so beautifully with the way these tennis scenes are so brilliantly edited), and that sound design, man it was awesome. And the editing - the story volleys back and forth in time, but the brilliant editing keeps the drama high. Some sequences had me full-on levitating.

Challengers is sexy as hell with some Uncut Gems level stress and tension! The building and use of tension in the movie is masterful. The climax is powerful and leaves you wanting more but also gives you enough to know exactly what happens next. This movie is an ace. Absolutely insane filmmaking - Guadagnino is truly a master of his craft! The performances from the three leads are magnetic, the dual timeline storytelling is consistently engaging, and the tennis scenes are incredibly tense. The central trio here is astonishing with a complicated, messy, dramatic relationship that defies easy analysis - it is a love triangle on acid. AND it's an original film! Challengers is in the conversation for movie of the year. Game. Set. Match.

Back and forth, in a trance... 10/10

[jsnyda · 10/10 · 23 April 2024]

This movie absolutely FLOORED me. The direction, the script, the music, the "acting" (I put quotations there because it felt like real life, the acting was perfect). The way the camera moves was CONSTANTLY fresh. One stop-motion-esque scene in particular --- but PLEASE, just go experience it for yourself. It's better than anything this year and will be bound to become an all time classic. There's nothing even remotely similar to this movie. The all-time most impressive thing about this movie is how at the start of the movie there is little attachment to the characters and then it reveals more and more layers until literally you are at the edge of your seat all the way up to the finish line. Layers and layers until, yes, a true CLIMAX. I don't write reviews, but this movie just grabbed me and excited me about film again. I'm home, sitting on my bed, and my heart is still pounding strong. This makes me want to create something. This is ART. 10/10.

A tepid tennis love triangle

[riverrising · 6/10 · 23 April 2024]

I saw this movie today at an early access showing. The movie had received an excellent critical rating so far and I try to go see every movie A24 puts out. Unfortunately in seeing the film I left feeling a little disappointed. This film showcases great performances from its leads and above average cinematography. However I thought the script was nothing special. The dialogue in the movie gets pretty cringy whenever it tries to be heartfelt particularly the beach scene which gave me second hand embarrassment. If you are going to this movie in hopes for something provocative or sexy I would save your money. I frankly think the advertising for this film plays up this element of the story because they realize the product is middling at best. Although on a final note I would say if you are a big fan of tennis or Zendaya it's worth a watch, particularly for the latter who is proving once again she will be a Hollywood mainstay for decades to come.

Adrenaline rush till the end

[makeupbyizzy · 9/10 · 4 May 2024]

This movie was phenomenal. It is 100% going to be seen as a cult classic. The score and soundtrack of this movie adds so much to it, and the chemistry between Zendaya, Mike and Josh is incredible. I didn't understand what people meant by, "this movie makes you want to play tennis", until I saw it. It truly shows how beautiful and captivating the sport is.

My only two complaints would be I felt a lot of things were left open ended, I didn't like how in the end we don't know who won the final set, and a small detail in the beginning showed Patrick (Josh O'Connor) scratching him forearm, sort of alluding to him being a drug addict, and finally Tashi (Zendaya) says to Art (Mike Faist), "I would kill to get over my injury like you did", but they never show or tell us what type of injury Art's character was subject to. However, they may be leaving it open for a second movie perhaps. I also didn't particularly like the jumping back and forth between time periods and wish the movie had done it in a more fluid, story telling way.

Other than that, you can feel the tension through the screen. It is truly a movie that gives you an adrenaline rush, for example I saw it at 10 o'clock at night and left that movie theatre feeling like I could run a marathon.

Challengers was a challenge to sit through for 131 minutes

[ztpbrmhw · 6/10 · 29 April 2024]

First of all, this movie has an 80s-style vibe that we have seen many times before that could have well been told in a conventional 90-100 minute movie. This movie truly was not "important" enough to tell it over 131 minutes. Add to that there were pointless extended shots that you were begging to end. At about 100 minutes in, audience members were looking at their cellphones either to check the time or they were getting restless.

Second, there were excessive timeline jumps. It is often a useful story-telling device, but here it was excessive and distracting - so much so that when they did another timeline jump there was a consensus "groan." Making matters worse, is that there were time jumps as long as 13 years. However, Zendaya --- bless her heart --- as much as they tried to "age" her and "de-age" her through hair and make-up, she never looked, to me, older than about 17 years old regardless of the time era.

Third, while I credit Zendaya for tackling such a meaty role, and as much as I otherwise adore her, she just simply seemed to young to be so "weathered" and "jaded" and "cynical" and "ruthless" and "calculating" as she was. Further, I really don't remember her smiling once throughout the movie. And as I have read in other reviews, she seemed to have a resting "scowl" throughout the movie - ironically very much similar to the scowl she had throughout both Dune 1 and 2.

And lastly, by the end of the movie, none of the three characters were likeable, and, perhaps, oddly, sadly, Zendaya was, to me, the least likeable. And from a film character study point of view, the viewer is never given a reason or backstory for this.

With all these distractions in mind, I was so eager for the movie to end that I lost all investment whatsoever in who won or lost in the story's big moment.

Only works for fans of Zendaya

[morkoff · 28 April 2024]

Forget Match Point, even Paul Bettany's Wimbledon is better. If you are not a fan of Zendaya, I would never reccomend this "movie" to anyone. It lacks absolutely everything but occasional beautiful scenery.

I remember Zendaya since Shake It Up and although she is a smart and lovely woman with indeniable star quality, her acting has never been convincing. She always positions herself perfectly for the shot, has the needed movement or expression, but it is always with more connection for the camera than with the character (even in Euphoria). I also never found her use of her voice adequate, it is usually one note. It sort of works here because Tashi is a character as flat as a pancake.

The two other leads are no better and it is an already very far fetched idea that they would attract the attention of anyone, let alone of someone like the Tashi character.

And if this was a movie to attract tennis fans... well it won't. None of the tree leads looks like they have ever played sport. Any sport, any kind, not professionally, just any at all. In school, in the backstreet with friends. The director is either very incapable of his job or hasn't either. They hired Brad Gilbert to consult and help. Ok, but he helps with the wrong aspects. In the end of the day a general viewer would not care if the serve technique is correct, or if the movement and speed is accurate. But he would care about the absolute lack of any engagement with the game. No passion, no desire, no will, no care. Even Ivan Lendl has visibly shown more connection to the game and he was infamous for cool attitude. Or Andre Agassi or Nick Kyrgios who have stated many times they hated tennis. These actors look and act like they are trying not to trip, not to make a wrong move and not like playing for anything (not just the tenmis aspects of the movie). And from this there is no loud enough music to make you care about their game or desires.

The music is terrible allthrough, loud and without having any connection with the supposed story. The overly in your face "metaphors" are just tiring at this point. Filmmakers might wanna try some new and fresh approach to get the point across. And the overuse of slow motion... it just makes the movie even less.

In a time where we care about sparing resources, resources for movies like this shouldn't even be be considered to be spent.

A very hot movie

[grigoraaakis-889-295918 · 9/10 · 2 May 2024]

"Challengers" is a film that you watch with all your senses and that's how it works perfectly. It's a movie clearly about lust and drive, and passion and it all portrays that in the form of an obsession with tennis. The boys, both the male protagonists are obsessed with Tashi and Tashi is actually obsessed with one thing and that is tennis. Luca Guadagnino commands the camera fantastically in this and creates a universe in which tennis is a perfect allegory for a relationship. It's beautiful, it's raw, it's full of passion and it's actually very hot! "Challengers" is a very horny movie and that says a lot given that there's no sex in "Challengers". Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist have an electrifying chemistry and Zendaya simply shines throughout as the absolute obsession. What a perfect little movie. The last act is pure cinema! The final scene masterpiece!

Watch "Match Point" instead

[leestoych · 6/10 · 20 April 2024]

This is a tough one. I liked the concept and the overall story. However i feel like it missed the mark on occasions.

The acting was decent. Felt like each character was built upon chemistry and realism. It kept me entertained for the most part.

The times jumps at the beginning worked and created suspense. Leaving the viewer unsure of what the history our 3 characters share however, the time jumps became a bit too rapid and i personally found it harder to keep up with where we are in the story. I feel like they could've left out a few scenes to make the story flow smoother.

The soundtrack was interesting. Not sure if it suited the mood of the film. But my biggest gripe is the ridiculously slowed down ending. Not sure what the director was thinking with that one.

The conclusion felt like it was going on for 1 hour and i felt it a little cheesy with the last scene of the film.

Overall I see a lot of influence from the film "Match Point" starring Scarlet Johansson. In my opinion that film was far more successful in what "challengers" was attempting.

Overall, bit hit and miss. Some decent moments but nothing to get you excited about or talk about after.

Not at all what expected

[olga-us · 3/10 · 27 April 2024]

I think all three leading characters were very well cast and delivered great performances, and the soundtrack is fantastic. But what came out is still a complete mess, feels raw and very cheap.

Dialogs are barely audible behind too loud soundtrack. The story is non-existent, and far too patchy, jumping back and forth in time. The characters are not very well developed, and their motivation poorly justified.

And what was all that product placement? Aston Martin, Uniqlo, Chanel, Augutinus Bader, to name a few. We really pay for the cinema ticket to have it all pushed down our throats?

The actors who worked on it and us, viewers, deserve better.

A Challenge that is more than tennis

[davidfilippelli · 9/10 · 24 April 2024]

The first time a heard that the next Guadagnino's film was about sport, i knew that the game was just a part of what it would have been. This movie with his serious, painful, tense but also funny moments represented a real friendship and the will of fight for it, even without saying it directly.

The character of Tashi Duncan, the prodigy fallen into disgrace, literally was willing to do anything to reach hers dream of glory, and the incident made her vulnerable and lustful. She tried to move on but seeing other people less talented than her do what she was meant to do destroyed her and the desire of glory prevailed over love.

In the very last moment we can say that something has been finally fixed in everyone and the great Luca Guadagnino let us imagine the rest.

Everything in this world is about tennis except for tennis, tennis is about sex.

[hibaakr · 9/10 · 3 May 2024]

The movie is about obsession and power.

When the three characters meet in the hotel room the power dynamics are established, the boys are obsessed with Tashi and she uses sex to control them.

While the boys are obsessed witch her, she is obsessed with tennis and all she wants is to watch a good game, her injury stops her dream so now she is only able to indulge her obsession through one of them.

Art is easier to control and totally in love with her.

This is just masking of Tashis own obsession with tennis, when she tells the boys that she will be with the one who wins just because she wants to watch good tennis.

The movie ends with a twist, the boys revive their strong relationship and it does not matter who wins.

As she said, tennis match is a relationship.

C'MON!!

[dfch13 · 9/10 · 2 May 2024]

The non linear plot really leaves you no time to be just chilling while watching this, but with a story so intense I don't think you'll be chilling anyways.. It feels justl like overdosing on caffeine while you have nothing to do so you just sit there feeling so edgy and tense.. and not to mention the techno choice of score just seem to be adding more fuel to the tension..

During my viewing of this, I knocked over my soft drink and it spilled all over then I was bursting to pee but the story was super engaging that I can't afford a toilet break so I just hold off til the credits rolled.. C'MON!!

A masterpiece

[jjxdyprk · 9/10 · 4 May 2024]

Director Guadagnino demonstrates one more time his masterful capacity to tell a complex story of tensions and passions with full enjoyment for the viewer. A rhythmically intense montage and beautiful photography make this movie very engaging and erotic, which draws the viewers into the ups and downs of the leading trio. One may wonder if this will be a hit with mainstream public or it will become a niche cult movie for more sophisticated cinema lovers.

All three actors in the leading roles perform at their best and are amazingly cast with credibility over a time span of more than 13 years, thanks to make up and photography.

Not A Grand Slam

[dajerkens · 6/10 · 28 April 2024]

I had very high expectations for this movie to come out and planned weeks in advance to see it. Perhaps that was unfair to factor in for my rating, but overall it missed the mark.

I had trouble following the timelines of certain scenes and felt confused throughout. Also, the movie basically has only three characters that have any role of significance which I felt was odd. Perhaps the umpire would be considered the fourth character that you see and he has a very small part.

I thought Zendaya was brilliant, but I didn't particularly like her character or the two competitors. There was nobody that you wanted to root for. For a tennis movie, rather go for Wimbledon than this one unfortunately.

Challengers

[montanab-24702 · 10/10 · 20 April 2024]

I thought this movie was entertaining, fun and dark at the same time. The acting from zendaya was fantastic she's really good with her eyes and Mike and Josh should have no problem with the rise of their careers going forward. The ending with close ups and some other shots was too much sometimes but I was entertained nonetheless. I think some scenes could have been cut back like 2 hrs 11 mins wasn't necessary maybe of how it ended so I'm curious to see how others react to the ending. Trent and Atticus Ross should win every music category award for this entire soundtrack. Definitely elevates movie!

Ended in Deuce

[prince_c3 · 6/10 · 28 April 2024]

I can't recall ever missing a sports movie, even if some were boring-I still watched them all. The reason? I've been a sports player all my life, and I still play, although I'm not a professional. From school to college and now, I was a soccer player, got scholoship in sports so you know how much sports I played, now I also coach so I know that aspect of sports as well. I've played soccer predominantly, but over the last 10-12 years, I've dabbled in various sports like tennis, volleyball, racketball, pickleball, and table tennis.

The point is, anyone who's played sports knows the competition, tension, and hard work involved, even if it's not at a professional level.

That said, I eagerly anticipated watching this movie. As a tennis enthusiast, I hoped for something better than "Matchpoint," as I've yet to see a truly realistic sports movie, especially about tennis. Of course not counting some autobiography or based on real events and person. I am talking about part ficitious and novel kind of movies.

If I want to watch based on real life then, King Richard was a good Tennis movie.

Moreover, the movie boasted some big names like Luca Guadagnino and Zendaya.

Honestly, this movie had so much potential. Where do I begin? It could have been one of the best sports movies ever made, but instead, it fell flat, ending up just slightly above average.

Firstly, it's a fictional movie, but not entirely. Anyone who's competed at the college, state, or even local level knows the immense effort required from juniors to grand slam contenders.

The characters aren't entirely fictional, except for some parts.

The elements that could have been great went sideways, diminishing the overall interest and potential of the movie.

The direction was good, not great. I didn't understand the choice of background music-it seemed heavy metal-esque, unnecessary for creating the right atmosphere. Additionally, while the depiction of ball angles, volleys, and hitting was innovative, it looked more CGI than authentic.

Furthermore, there wasn't much effort put into capturing the technicalities of the tennis game. The biggest flaw, for me, was that the movie should have revolved around tennis as the main theme, with the love triangle and drama as the backdrop. Instead, it ended up feeling more like a romantic comedy, with the love triangle taking center stage and tennis becoming secondary.

The saving grace of the movie was Zendaya. Her acting was commendable, and her portrayal of tennis was believable-not like some bimbo holding a racket. I'm pretty sure she must have undergone tennis lessons and mostly justified the role of a tennis prodigy whose career was ruined due to an accidental injury.

Another major gripe that ruined the overall interest in the movie was the presentation. I don't know what Luca was thinking. I've seen hundreds of movies that show scenes in chronological order, but this movie was so disjointed. It kept jumping back and forth, so much so that viewers either got confused or lost interest. I mean, showing flashbacks a few weeks, days, and years back within the first 5-10 minutes of the movie runtime?

The overall winner was Zendaya, along with Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist.

Overall, I was very excited for the first 10-15 minutes, then shocked for the next 15-20 minutes at how the plot was deteriorating, and finally disappointed with the overall execution.

Lucas, you had one of the best opportunities, but you lost it.

Zendaya was the best part of the movie, followed by Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist.

Something entirely different ...

[crakxa · 10/10 · 23 April 2024]

Challengers is a film about obsession, a love story presented in a manner that mirrors the sport at the center of its narrative; fierce, kinetic, and competitive, but also indescribably intimate. The film is transgressive in many ways, challenging the spectator to think differently about love and desire by presenting protagonists who don't neatly fit into the romantic or erotic mold Hollywood has presented us with over the past several decades. Through these singular characters, director Luca Guadagnino achieves something unique: a perspective on the inherent push and pull of relationships that is so heightened it throws into stark contrast the dark desires we all harbor. This extremely niche story, therefore, becomes a kind of commentary on what love makes of all of us: fanatics.

The film isn't only resonant thematically; as usual, Guadagnino's direction is a tour de force of exciting choices that push his actors to the limits of expression, presented to us against the backdrop of visually arresting aesthetics. The standout performances are definitely those of Zendaya and Josh O'Connor, but all three protagonists have an intense, seductive chemistry with one another that reads as so authentic, so fervent, so genuine, that the love scenes (which really only extend to kissing) caught me off guard. For those two hours, I believed these people (in some configuration) were in love, which is a crucial buy-in for the audience.

I hesitate to call this an "erotic thriller" because that phrase brings to mind softcore hits that cater to the male gaze like Species (1995) but I think it's an apt description, and Challengers shows us what this genre can be in the right hands. Finally, the score by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Boys Noize is not only fantastic (as everyone is rightfully noting) but it is so integral to the mood and pacing of the film that it almost becomes another protagonist, especially in the genuinely riveting conclusion. That sequence may be one of the best uses of a score I've seen in a film in a very long time.

I can't recommend this movie highly enough to anyone who enjoys movies. Please go see it!

You have a better shot with a gun in your mouth.....

[FlashCallahan · 6/10 · 24 April 2024]

Tashi, a tennis player turned coach, has transformed her husband from a mediocre player into a world-famous grand slam champion.

To jolt him out of his recent losing streak, she makes him play a challenger event, which is close to the lowest level of tournament on the pro tour.

Tensions soon run high when he finds himself standing across the net from the once-promising, now burnt-out Patrick, his former best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend......

The biggest problem with this film is that it has been a very long time coming. Trailers for this were around almost a year ago, and every time I saw the trailer, I was thinking to myself 'oh not this again'. But a trailer does not make a movie.

It has so much potential, It has a genius premise, and the ending of the film is pretty fantastic, but it's way too long, and a lot of the symbolism and mythos of the film is lost in the soap opera script and slow second act.

My opinion, I believe that Tashi does not exist, she is some sort of subliminal image for the two leads, to help them reveal their true feelings. They are in love, and always have been. She really only ever interacts with the two men, and her daughter and mother are her past and future self, respectively. I realised this toward the end of the film, when Tashi just materialises in the hotel corridor. She simply isn't real.

And thats the genius of the film, and it's downfall, as it could have been something so much more than the melodrama that it is. And herein lies the problems. The subliminal symbolism is just so in your face, that it almost spells it out to you that the two men are in love.

For example, the scene where the two are eating churros is just 101 phallic symbolism, and the makers may have well just dressed the guys in effeminate clothing and left it at that.

The makers treat the viewers like they are stupid, and it's insulting. We don't need to be spoon fed the narrative, we like to have opinions, and like to come to our own conclusions. I may be totally wrong, but it's what I got from the film, and in my honest opinion, I think that is the arc of the film.

On the plus side, the tennis scenes are pretty well choreographed, and the majority of the score by Reznor is pretty enthralling, but now and again it gets a little too much, just like the film. And the camera loves to linger on Zendaya, sometimes so much, it's actually cringeworthy.

So it's not an Ace film for me, in fact, it's not even 15-love.

It's pretty boring.

Am I missing something?

[zachmcnees · 1/10 · 26 April 2024]

The audience was in hysterics by the end. The choices made in every aspect of this movie were shockingly bad. The abysmal and strange music, the constant shift in time, the laughable script, the nauseating camera work, and just truly one of the worst directed films I've ever seen. I would have left halfway through if I didn't have to pay for my food. But I'm glad I stayed because it got so much more hysterically bad than I even thought possible. I feel like I'm insane because the audience was screaming with laughter. I got the sense that the director thinks he's a genius, but this movie is 1% short of a feature length SNL parody.

Smashed it out of the court

[rueby-07837 · 10/10 · 2 May 2024]

The people who don't love this movie have no brains, or are homophobes - or both. This is evidenced by all the negative reviewers mentioning being "confused" or not liking the characters. Hello!? We're not necessarily supposed to like the characters! What a bunch of clowns. For those of us secure in our sexuality, who understand that life and relationships can be very nuanced, complex affairs, there are almost limitless details in this film to marvel over. If you're a simpleton rube who "don't like that gay stuff", do yourself and us a favor and just stay home and watch Braveheart one more time or something. You have no taste, no imagination, and no business watching Challengers or frankly any A24 film. Just retire and go home.