Zendaya serves as a tennis star caught in a messy love triangle that started in their teenage years to their adult years in the film, Challengers.
What is Challengers About?
In the romantic sports film, Zendaya stars as Tashi Duncan. As a teenager, the tennis prodigy meets best friends Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor) and Art Donaldson (Mike Faist). Quickly both boys fall under her spell that bleeds over to their personal lives. While Art professes his love to her, Tashi enters a short-lived romantic relationship with Patrick.
As the one to watch on the court due to her skills, her career is skyrocketing. Patrick is left in the rearview mirror. As an adult, Tashi grows closer to Art. During a tennis match, Tashi suffers a career ending injury. Forced with the prospect of never playing sport she loves again, she becomes a coach.
Now married to Tashi, she transforms him into a world-famous grand slam champion. In spite of this, Art’s career plummets and he going on a losing streak. To help him overcome this, Tashi makes him play in a “Challenger” event. As far as events go, this is the lowest level of pro tournament. This time, he faces his biggest challenge yet. When he steps onto the court, the person standing cross the net is his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend, Patrick.
According to the director, Luca Guadagnino, Zendaya is no stranger to the court. ” We edited the movie, and we almost actually don’t use any of her double. She’s so good.”, Guadagnino told Variety magazine. To prepare for the role, she spent three months training with pro-tennis player, now coach, Brad Gilbert. Also, serving as a consultant, he trains O’Connor and Faist as well. Although, there’s been a lack of sports themed movies in theaters, studio executives hopes this film will change things.
What is Challengers Rated?
Parents leave your kids at home for this one. Due to language, sexual situations and graphic nudity, Challengers is rated R.
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How to watch Challengers?
At first, the film was set to release in September 2023. However, due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike, the film was pulled from release calendar and the Venice International Film Festival. Then, the studio set the theatrical date for April 26, 2024. Now, Challengers is available to stream on Prime Video.
