Challengers

⭐ 9.0/10

(Originally written by Tim)

When I saw this trailer over a year ago I thought it would be pop garbage, there to scandalize and give Zendaya another stage. Well I was completely wrong, this movie was funny and exciting and a launch pad for the three young stars.

This movie is scandalous in ways that made me uncomfortable at times, but there was always a lot of humour in it, which is what I think the trailer missed. The way the two guys ogle at Zendaya early in the movie is so funny, and their interactions throughout are charged in many ways. This is a love triangle movie, but each character is so much more deep than just their feelings for the other two. I loved Zendaya here as this driven athlete, but the boys here stole the show for me, specifically Josh O'Connor. Loved him on The Crown, but this is a star making performance. The character has a lot of depth and makes some dramatic choices, and I like how we get to see them all age and change. Mike Feist is great, and I love seeing him get a non-musical role after West Side Story.

Another thing I liked about this movie is the ending! Unexpected and unique, I love when a movie takes a risk and makes movies open ended and a bit weird. Jess and I debated the whole drive home about the motivations of each character and what happens to each of them after the movie ends, and I think that's just great. What more could you want out of a movie.

Oh, and the soundtrack was great! Excellent choices with the existing songs, as well as awesome upbeat original music. This one was a complete hit for both of us, it had so much style and charisma and energy. Some content that might not be great for all, but I felt like everything here served the story and the characters, in no way trying to be a spectacle just for the sake of people who clip movies online. Love it when my expectations are completely exceeded.