Challengers Film Review
Challengers Film Review | Challengers is out. It’s hot, it’s steamy, and it left me pretty confused.
The latest film from Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, known for Call Me by Your Name (2017) and Bones and All (2022), has been generating a lot of buzz. While I typically avoid reviews before forming my own opinions, I was aware of the high praise it received. Yet, after watching, I found myself perplexed by its universal acclaim. Let’s dive into what Challengers is about and why it left me scratching my head.
Background and Plot
Challengers stars Zendaya as a rising junior tennis star who, after a career-ending injury, transitions to coaching. The film revolves around a complicated love triangle involving her character and two men: Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor. Mike Faist is notable for his work in theater, especially his Tony-nominated performance in Dear Evan Hansen. Josh O’Connor, also from a theater background, is known for roles in British television shows like Peaky Blinders, Doctor Who, and The Crown.
Interestingly, the film was written by Justin Kuritzkes, known for the viral YouTube hit “Potion Seller.” Kuritzkes, a playwright, is married to Celine Song, who broke out with Past Lives last year—a film also about a love triangle. The parallels between their works are intriguing, making me wonder if there were any creative exchanges between them during their projects.
My Thoughts
Challengers has received almost universal praise, but quite frankly, I don’t get it. While I don’t read reviews before writing my own, I’m aware of the strong critical response. Many respected critics have lauded the film, some even placing it at the top of their yearly lists. Given this context, I went into the film with high expectations and left feeling dumbfounded.
From a technical standpoint, the film is well-made. The performances by Zendaya, Faist, and O’Connor are solid. Guadagnino’s adeptness at crafting intimate, sensual scenes is evident, and these moments felt real and grounded in human passion and tension. However, the rest of the film didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
What I Liked
First, let’s talk about what worked. The production quality is strong, and the performances are commendable. Zendaya, Faist, and O’Connor delivered compelling portrayals that aligned well with Guadagnino’s direction. The intimate scenes, whether steamy or tender, were among the film’s highlights, showcasing Guadagnino‘s talent for capturing human emotion.
What I Didn’t Like
Unfortunately, the film’s metaphors and narrative devices were often too on the nose, which detracted from my overall experience. The use of tennis as a metaphor for relationships and self-discovery is clear, but it’s hammered home so blatantly that it becomes distracting. One scene, in particular, stood out for its heavy-handedness: the characters sit on a beach with melodramatic piano music playing, and Zendaya’s character states, “Tennis is a relationship.” This direct exposition of the film’s central metaphor felt unnecessary and unoriginal.
The overuse of product placement was another issue. Almost every scene features conspicuous brand names, from Coca-Cola to Taco Bell, even Athletic Greens. This pervasive commercialization made me wonder if it was meant to be satirical. If so, the satire wasn’t clear enough to land effectively.
The film’s visual and stylistic choices also felt overdone. Guadagnino employs fast pans, POV shots, and extreme close-ups to symbolize tennis rallies and character perspectives. While interesting initially, these techniques became repetitive and distracting. The frequent use of slow motion, paired with techno beats from the score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, further contributed to a disjointed viewing experience.
The Score
Reznor and Ross are accomplished composers, known for their work on films like Gone Girl and Waves. However, the score for Challengers felt out of place at times, relying heavily on repetitive techno beats that detracted from the film’s intended tone. It often felt more like a dance video than a serious cinematic experience.
Final Thoughts
While Challengers is undeniably crafted with skill and vision, it ultimately didn’t resonate with me. The heavy-handed metaphors, excessive product placement, and over-the-top visual techniques left me feeling disconnected. This is not to say it’s a terrible film—many aspects, like the performances and intimate scenes, are well-executed. But overall, it didn’t live up to the critical acclaim it received.
Film is subjective, and my perspective is just one of many. If you enjoyed Challengers, I’m glad it resonated with you. As for me, I’m still trying to understand what I might have missed. If there’s an obvious element I’ve overlooked, I’m open to hearing about it. After all, this is just one person’s opinion.
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