Ok, it’s that time again. Time to look at what is coming out this month! In a weird twist of fate, April’s film also focused on a woman who starred (stars?) in Euphoria. Move over Sydney Sweeney, this month is all about Zendaya. Now, I will admit that this feels like a cheat. I have been looking forward to this one for much more than a month. Challengers should have been released a bit ago, seems like years at this point. But it’s finally happening!
Ok, kids. I know you youth are upset about sex on film. But disrespectfully, go kick rocks. I go to the movies for many things, but that is one of them! Challengers is essentially an old school love triangle between Zendaya, Josh O’Connor (God’s Own Country), and Mike Faist (West Side Story).
From the trailer, it looks like Tashi (Zendaya) was a promising tennis player and dating Patrick (O’Connor), who was best friends with Art (Faist). She gets a pretty serious injury and can no longer play. Years later, she is with Art and has transformed him into a tennis champion as his coach. He is going through a losing streak and she sets up a “challenger” event. And who is his challenger? Well, Patrick, of course! Are you following? I know it’s a lot.
But given that this is directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name), has music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, AND features three wildly talented young actors, consider me excited.
Of course, there is a chance that this will be terrible, there always is. But I was right about Immaculate and I have really high hopes for this one. Given all the delays (COVID, SAG-AFTRA strike), I think that if this was actually bad, rumors would have leaked. But all that said, if you told me that I would be excited about a tennis movie, I would not have believed you, but here we are!