The trailer for Challengers – Rivals promised more heat in just under 2 minutes than the 165 minutes of Dune: Part Two. Today the first reviews for the tennis film with Zendaya, who swaps her still suit for a racket and a felt ball, were published. We still have to wait and see what the majority of the reviews reveal, but the first published texts are full of things Euphoria and breathlessness.
That’s what Challengers with Zendaya is all about
Tashi Donaldson (Zendaya) had to give up her promising tennis career after an injury and then became a renowned trainer. In particular, she made her husband Art (Mike Faist) a Grand Slam champion.
Warner Bros.
Zendaya in Challengers
But now Art is losing one match after the next. To end his streak of bad luck, Tashi resorts to an unusual tactic: she registers the professional in a Challengers event, a challenger event where he meets rival Patrick (Josh O’Connor). Patrick is not only Art’s former best friend, but also Tashi’s ex-lover.
The film is directed by Luca Guadagnino, who was also behind Call Me by Your Name and Bones and All.
That’s what the first reviews say about the tennis film with the Dune 2 star
Apart from the exuberant tennis metaphors, a heated tenor can be read. The trailer didn’t promise too much when it came to the trio’s chemistry.
David Ehrlich from IndieWire gives a grade of A- and praises Zendaya effusively:
Going from the driest blockbuster of all time to a film so wet with longing that a single scene could probably feed the people of Sietch Tabr for two years, Zendaya delivers a supernova performance away.
For Little White Lies, Hannah Strong summarizes:
The film is fun. He’s intelligent and sexy and captivatingfrom the smart dialogue and Jonathan Anderson’s playful costumes […] right down to the perfect supporting actors […].
Warner Bros.
Mike Faist, Zendaya and Josh O’Connor in Challengers
At Variety, Peter Debruge writes in his enthusiastic review:
For some romantic films, you may want to pack tissues. In the case of Challengers you should bring a towel. It’s the rare film that makes you sweat just watching it.
And a little less sweaty:
Challengers is not your typical sports filmbecause it’s less about the end result and more about the ever-changing dynamic between the players.
At Slant, Rocco T. Thompson praises the score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (The Social Network), which contributes significantly to the atmosphere:
The soundtrack by Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor feels like a sweaty, pulsating event, which causes the barn to burn, all by itself. The house-influenced tracks throb and twist with excitement and menace
Challengers – Rivals starts on April 25th in German cinemas.