With a delay of three quarters of a year, Luca Guadagnino’s new film is finally arriving in German cinemas this week. Originally, Challengers – Rivals was supposed to premiere in August 2023. Because of the strike However, it was pushed to the back of the screenwriters and actors in Hollywood.
Even the previously planned premiere at the Venice Film Festival did not take place. Instead, Challengers is now coming to cinemas without a festival bonus. The hype The sports drama with Dune 2 star Zendaya in the lead role is still completely on his side. The criticism has already been extremely enthusiastic.
Already one of the best films of the year: You definitely shouldn’t miss Challengers with Zendaya
Even harder than the fight for survival in the hot desert sands of Arrakis is the one under burning sun on the tennis court is carried out. Zendaya’s character in Challengers experiences this firsthand: Tashi Duncan was just a celebrated star. After an injury, however, she ekeed out a living as a trainer.
You can watch the trailer for Challengers here:
Challengers – Trailer (German) HD
Now she’s helping her husband, Art Donaldson (Mike Faist). He’s also a tennis pro, However, it does not fulfill its potential. Even Tashi’s comeback plan can’t get him out of his career slump. And then he faces an old acquaintance at the Grand Slam: Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor).
Art and Patrick were once best friends. However, when they met Tashi, their friendship fell apart. First Patrick was with Tashi, now Art is her husband. You can see the potential for conflict: Challengers is not just about sport, but above all about one tense love triangle.
Masterpiece on the way: Zendaya impresses with a supernova performance in Challengers
The trailer for Challengers already caused a stir. Guadagnino, known for sensual films like Call Me by Your Name and A Bigger Splash, transforms the conflict of his latest work into one sweaty affair full of passionate looks and erotic tension that is constantly in the air.
At the film magazine Little White Lies, Hannah Strong refers to Challengers as “intelligent and sexy and captivating”while IndieWire critic David Ehrlich can’t stop raving about how incredibly good Zendaya is in the film. As “Supernova performance” he describes her performance.
At Variety, Peter Debruge also provides instructions on the best way to watch Challengers in the cinema:
For some romantic films you should pack tissues. In the case of Challengers you should bring a towel. It’s the rare film that makes you sweat just watching it. When does Challengers with Zendaya start in the cinema?
Challengers starts on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in German cinemas. In addition, you can still watch Dune: Part Two in individual cinemas.