Challengers

Tashi Donaldson is a former pro who has refocused her life around coaching her husband, Art, and turning him into a top tennis champion. When Art hits a rough patch, Tashi signs him into a lower tier "Challenger" tournament to rebuild confidence. The matchup that follows forces old loyalties and past romances back into play when Art meets his one-time best friend, Patrick, who also used to be close to Tashi. The film tracks the friction on and off the court as professional rivalry, romantic history, and career ambitions collide, keeping the action tight around matches, locker rooms, and tense personal conversations without giving away how those conflicts resolve.

Directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by Justin Kuritzkes, the 2024 release stars Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor. Guadagnino's stylized approach blends athletic sequences with intimate drama, and the film premiered with a high-profile campaign that emphasized its actors and tennis choreography.

Challengers opened to considerable attention thanks to its cast and sports setting, and it drew steady audiences in its theatrical run. Its commercial performance was closely watched because of Zendaya's star power and the director's reputation, helping the movie stay visible in a crowded release calendar.

The movie sparked conversation beyond box office numbers, prompting debate about gender roles in coaching and the ethics of mixing romance with professional ambition. Scenes of on-court tension and off-court intimacy circulated online, and the film's look and sound design became talking points in fashion and film circles.

Critics were divided but agreed the acting is a highlight, reflected in a 6.9/10 user vote average from 2,498 ratings. Reviewers noted themes of jealousy, power, and the cost of winning, with praise for the performances and visual choices and some reservations about pacing and tonal shifts. The result is a drama that leans on emotion as much as sport.