Game, set, watch: 'Challengers' deserves every bit of love

In case you missed out on the best movie of 2024, also known as "Challengers," while it was in theaters, you're in luck — the viral hit landed on Amazon Prime on Thursday. While some may have been apprehensive about buying a ticket to see the "erotic tennis movie," now, from the comfort of your own home and free of any judgment, there's no reason not to check out this modern sports masterpiece.

"Challengers" chronicles the budding friendship between doubles partners Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor) and Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), which is irrevocably fractured once they both set their sights on tennis prodigy Tashi Duncan (Zendaya). As the trio navigates injuries, collegiate athletics and financial woes, the once innocuous love triangle devolves into all-out, psychological warfare.

If you judge "Challengers" solely by its cheesy, 80s-inspired poster and its cliché young-adult plot, it would be easy to dismiss it. But just moments into the film as the camera zooms in on the central cast during an intense tennis match, sweat glistening on their brows and an overly dramatic chorus echoing in the background, it becomes clear that "Challengers" knows exactly what it is. Still, that won't stop the film from taking the formula and making the best possible version of it.

A major component of what elevates "Challengers" past the usual sports drama tropes is its nonlinear structure, which takes the relatively straightforward story and jumbles everything up. The film opens in the present, where Tashi, now a coach, is starting a family with Art, a star athlete in the midst of a slump. The two have seemingly severed ties with Patrick, only to be blindsided by his appearance on the other side of the court in a tournament final. 

Just as viewers begin to piece together the dynamics, the film shifts back in time to the night the three first awkwardly interacted with one another at a party. While Tashi has presumably chosen Art, it becomes clear through various glimpses into the past that Patrick's never been completely out of the running for her love.

Most young adult romances, like the "Twilight" franchise, hinge on this central question: Who will the protagonist choose? When done right, it can be riveting, but for the most part, one of the suitors is typically portrayed so much more positively than the other or it becomes so melodramatic that it's hard to take seriously. 

"Challengers" avoids these pitfalls by crafting realized characters, riddled with insecurities and flaws. For Patrick and Art, Tashi's love presents the perfect test to prove their manhood — neither of them is the ideal knight in shining armor. 

Though Patrick has undeniable talent beneath his smug demeanor, O'Connor gives the character a sense of indecisiveness. Faist serves as a terrific scene partner as Art, who isn't as naturally gifted as Patrick but is much more manipulative and driven.

For Tashi, who exists within the predominantly male-dominated space of sports, being in the center of a love triangle is just another game for her to win. Through Zendaya's performance, the character becomes less of a homewrecker and more of a strategist, making calculated decisions that will get her closer to a Grand Slam.

By the end of the film, the audience is less concerned with who Tashi will choose and more about which character will discover the fulfillment that continues to elude them. The question becomes whether they can achieve this together or individually.

Even if you didn't know that Luca Guadagnino was in the director's chair going into "Challengers," given the emotional complexity of the film, it shouldn't be that big of a surprise. Though he's older than most of his characters, he continues to engage with Generation Z culture through his open exploration of sexuality, as seen in his previous films like "Call Me By Your Name," "Suspiria" and "Bones and All."

One of Guadagnino's boldest choices is to keep "Challengers" relatively restrained compared to most romantic films. Instead of relying on overt passion, he creates tension through creative imagery. Similar to the iconic peach scene in "Call Me By Your Name," one of the film's most romantic moments occurs not in a bedroom but in a school cafeteria, where two characters share a churro.

Even if you're tuning in for the tennis scenes, Guadagnino ensures that this is probably the best the sport has ever looked in film. Collaborating with cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, he employs inventive techniques, such as a shot from underneath the court and a few from the ball's perspective, that make you feel as though you've stumbled onto the New Rochelle court where the film's climax unfolds.

What ultimately clinches "Challengers" as the defining movie of the year is its pulsating, pop-techno score, composed by industry veterans Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. It seems like a weird fit at first, as opposed to the typical, inspirational "Rocky" fanfare, but given the age of the characters and how infectious it becomes, it's tough to imagine anything else pumping in the background.

Whether you've seen "Challengers" already or missed out on all the hype, now's the perfect time to dust off the Amazon Prime account and watch it in all its glory. Just don't watch it with your parents.