CHALLENGERS Movie Review (NO Spoilers!) | Zendaya | Mike Faist | Josh O'Connor

[@adamjimenez9003]

Holy Chekov's tennis racket Batman, I just saw this and wow did this film deliver, im not been a big fan of Luca's film in the past, I do enjoy a Bigger Splash, but this he really capitalizes on the charisma of the 3 leads, and Zendaya really carries, to quote her, "her little white boys", and when that thing with the tennis racket happens in the end, its one of those things you see coming a mile away but when it happens your still shocked and satisfied. Its great to see tihs adult view film is getting this much press for people to see it!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Yes, Adam! That was such a deliciously tense moment in our theater. We've been calling it Chekhov's tennis serve but your description is even more accurate. Hope you can make our live chat tomorrow at noon Pacific.

[@sieraclayton1503]

?!? Huh?! There is no "thing with a tennis racket" at the end. Do you mean the match?

[@atari2602]

@@sieraclayton1503 The dark-haired guy serves the ball in the same way he did earlier in the movie to signal that he had sex with the blond guy's wife. I didn't see it coming and I laughed out loud (in appreciation) when it did. I don't try to predict what happens in movies though. Would kind of kill the moment imo. But I did know that the last shot would be Zendaya smiling after being aggressively glum for two hours.

[@Advent3546]

If the embargo is lifting 2 weeks ahead of time we must have a winner on our hands

[@DisasterArtist1997]

remember The Flash?

[@landondefever1187]

WE ARE SO BACK

[@Locusto199]

Damn, I was looking forward to this move before, but that score, especially from you two, makes this a must see for sure.

[@Seetha-Golden]

Wow! 10 and 9.9 and it's only April! Now I can't wait to watch this! I keep seeing photos of Zendaya in a blue dress on a dancefloor, and keep thinking of Timothee Chalamet in a blue shirt dancing in Call Me By Your Name.

[@ericamacs3875]

That scene is so like the scene in CMBYN

[@mj369lucky7]

I did not make that connection because this is my first time watching this director’s movie! This movie is a 10. Masterpiece! I think Zendaya is going to have double nominations for Dune 2 and Challengers.

[@raghuraj2967]

Omgggg... i love tennis and I love movies.. I'm going to die of excitement now that you've reviewed it like this!!!

[@SydneyTravellersGuide]

I've liked all of Luca's movies. Can't wait for this.

[@kwalton7690]

A 10 and 9.9!!! Now those are scores I can get behind 🎾

[@strawberrylime33]

Zendaya is The It Girl. she's always getting amazing roles and her style is impeccable.

[@jgnmtz]

Love Zendaya ! She is so hot as are these men ! This film is sexy as hell

[@aishaalamoudi599]

I thought Call Me By Your Name was his best film! but here you go, this may top it. By Your Name had a unique transportive quality. Can't wait to watch this one.

[@biamekonnen]

I LOVE the energy from you guys!! Gained a sub, couldn't be more excited for this movie!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Thank you, delighted to have you join us! 🎾

[@FattyCakes24601]

The fact that Kuritzkes and Celine Song are married and both Challengers and Past Lives center on love triangles…🤯

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Things that make you go hmmm ... :)

[@duvan.deschain]

I didn't even watch the whole trailer and I was sold. Now I'm HYPED!!!

[@ReelDreamer]

The writer of this movie being married to the writer/director of Past Lives makes me very curious about their home life. To be a fly on those walls! I can’t wait to see this.

[@jgnmtz]

Loved this film ! Soundtrack can be overpowering , give it time . These actors were brilliant ! Absolutely raw, visceral and deeply human

[@JoaqMan]

Between this, Dune 2, and Civil War, 2024 is starting to be a banger year for movies.

[@kevscomet]

Civil War was mid

[@SAM-MME]

As soon as it ended I wanted to go back in and watch it again.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Exactly. Glad you loved it too!

[@ashleytalksmovies]

I saw Challengers on Monday, and I really enjoyed it. It exceeded my already high expectations. It was stylish and sexy. The performances were fantastic. Looking forward to your spoiler chat on this one.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Tuesday at Noon Pacific! Come join us.

[@johnwiemers9238]

Thanks for the review! I'll be definitely be seeing this. Ya'll help me decide what's worth seeing.

[@anndrezzz4483]

Whoa didn’t expect the numbers now I must watch this ….

[@raisedonpopcornwithgrant9670]

saw this in dolby earlier today i think the woman talking loudly in the hall walking out at the end said it best “whoo great movie!!!” Agreed 😂

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Woo hoo indeed!

[@Omar-gm2zq]

I was already sold by the cast and director but this movie surpassed all my expectations and was a lot of fun. Too early to tell but I can see this being a top 10 of all time for me

[@sieraclayton1503]

I don't get her as so "calculated." Tashi is in love with Patrick and after their fight over Art's evil lie and Patrick leaves her room in anger, she's so hurt it negatively affects her game and she sustains that horrific injury. Patrick is in love with Tashi, too, and tells Art that she has made him an "honest man." He sees a future with her though they are taking things "step by step" since she is still at University. Years after Patrick leaves, Tashi falls in love with Art who has always loved her.

[@dthill96]

4/5 for me. Saw tonight in a near sold out Sunday night screening. Zendaya’s best performance and as someone that’s watched her in pretty much everything since “Shake It Up” (we’re the same age and both from the Bay Area wouldn’t be surprised if I’d passed by her or angus cloud at some point when we were 5-7) everything she’s done has lead to this moment. Bravo also for producing it. Some really cool close ups that I’m sure looked gorgeous on an IMAX screen. Some really cool camera tricks and I’m not even talking the pov of the 🎾. There’s some shots where the ball misses the camera by maybe 2/3 inches and that had to either be CGI or they needed 8-10 goes at the serve to make sure they’re hitting it exactly. There’s some parts where it slowed down and needed to pick up but there also isn’t necessarily any scenes I’d take out. Trent & Atticus’ score is 🔥🔥🔥. Love the little things they did to age the characters up over time. It’s one of the rare times where a triangle of characters are all given an equal amount of not just screen time but also just time to make them fully realized characters. They’re all after something but each has their own motive behind em. It would’ve cost me the same amount to watch it at home but this was one that needed to be seen on the big screen.

[@reelred13]

I just got out of it! You nailed it by calling it Thrilling. I adored it!

[@thisisevan1]

Sometimes a banana is just a banana. Sometimes a churro is just a churro. But sometimes it's a dick-biting contest. (yes, this movie is wild, and it's great.)

[@BreakfastAllDay]

The phallic foods are not subtle!

[@stevecatanio8532]

Can't wait for this. Christie you look gorgeous as always and Alonzo you look handsome. 😊 Best pair on the interwebs.🎉

[@RonaldMorgan-n7o]

I agree with Alonzo 100%, Christie I'm glad you liked it almost as much!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Glad you enjoyed it too!

[@danielbarrero2815]

It’s a 10 for me too! Awesome review

[@BreakfastAllDay]

So glad you loved it too!

[@BobSullivanAKABuffy]

Saw a sneak last night in SF. I think the theater's sound system was out of whack (or it's a bad soundmix). Music track way too loud, overwhelming the dialogue most of the time. Good thing I already planned on seeing it again in IMAX. Definitely makes the case for long careers for the castmates especially Zendaya. How is she already playing mom roles believably?!

[@teresamichellevera3939]

She'll be 28 in August and her character in Challengers was 31. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@namanjotsinghns]

Now after viewing the film (loved it, we got it early in Australia) its quite of absurd of that person out of theatre saying Tashi is the villain of the year, yes she does some complicated things, but calling her a villain is over the top

[@BreakfastAllDay]

So glad you loved it too!

[@shubhaghosh]

Great review. Just sawChallengers and loved it, too. Except for the music that drowned out the dialogue in too many places.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Hey Shubha! Yes it was very prominent at times, but the director has said he intended that to make the music like a character in between them.

[@shubhaghosh]

The music esp the techno house was great for the tennis scrnes. I thought the dialogue and acting were great enough without the musical enhancement. But I quibble. This on the list of jawdropping movie endings, like Starlet, Don’t Look Away, A Separation..

[@jasoncarrick5461]

Wow, I have been subscribed to this channel from very early on and don't remember scores this high, now I guess I have to see it. lol

[@BreakfastAllDay]

We probably both gave Poor Things a 10. And Stop Making Sense. But you're right, it's rare!

[@jasoncarrick5461]

@@BreakfastAllDay Poor Things was a 9.8 by Alonso, a 10 by Christy so ya got me. Please don't beat me. lol

[@senaitmessele8641]

🤔

[@brianng8350]

Wow, when was that last one with this much excitement? The Holdover from last year? I was probably going to see it, but I was not expecting this kind of excitement from you two…

[@martymascarin486]

Having just seen Challengers, I came away impressed with the film's style---ramping up what would normally be routine sports melodrama tropes---through editing & cinematography---how the balls come shooting at the camera, deep focus & slow mo---with simmering subtext, where the dialogue exchanges all have a sense of gamesmanship. In a way, it kind of recalls A Lion in Winter--well, not quite as elevated as that film--but it's similar in how the dialogue transitions in a serve-and-volley exchange, where a seeming amusing quip turns into a blood-drawing barb, a grin morphs into a glare. There's more to Challengers than meets the eye. How Zendaya's character manipulates the two males, how in fact she is NOT the 'love prize' in this---she's a free agent, in spite of having a child with Mike Feist's Art--should could walk away at any time if he doesn't measure up. On the other hand, she feels Patrick needs to 'grow up' --perhaps take his talent & tennis more seriously so that he wouldn't be reduced to sleeping in his car & bumming sandwiches off strangers or using one-night stands as a place to crash. Even the techno score works, which is surprising as the droning scores of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross that I encounter on Cinemagic on Sirius XM usually induce catatonia--but the pulsating beats seem to match the characters' elevated heartbeats. Fuel-injected melodrama with a debate-inducing ending! Your mutual enthusiasm for this flick is infectious.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Thanks so much for your thoughts, Marty! Glad you enjoyed it as much as we did.

[@riley9932]

Glad to see this being reviewed, so excited. Also, where's a Problemista review??!! I need to know the thoughts on it. Arthouse all over it!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Alonso has seen it, we just haven't had a chance to get to it yet. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

FYI, in case you missed our Problemista review this week! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpqogoZubcarnLM

[@riley9932]

@@BreakfastAllDay I saw it. Thank u, was glad to know ur thoughts. It was a gem of a movie. Very unique, and agree with Alonso haven’t had a scene make me giggle and almost cry at the same time in a long while!

[@desertsuede4]

Don't say you're not going to spoil the movie, only to go ahead and spoil the movie. In your plot description you reveal things we were not shown until way into the movie.

[@martymascarin486]

10!!!!! 9.9!!!!!! whoa! The film certainly seems more than what's on the surface---typical melodrama, with competition both on and off the tennis court, one for love, the other for sport---although it sounds like "sport" can be applied to the love triangle too; OK, you've both convinced me---will see this over some other candidates newly arrived in town. Much thanks as usual!

[@rayahayes-mora2796]

I’ve never been so excited to see a movie!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Woo hoo!

[@dfa3366]

Can’t wait to see this movie. Luca G is a master at sensuality in movies like Call and By Your Name and I Am Love. It’s like an art form.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Well said! You'll have to let us know what you think.

[@michaelgrife6964]

What the hell, two 10's, are you serious? You hooked me. Now I have to go, no way out of this trip to the theater. MGM should be paying you two for this review. Maybe the are.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Ha, that's not the way it works.

[@LEOIAMLEOONYOUTUBE]

This movie comes out on my birthday weekend so that already makes the expectations for the movie HIGH! 💯 Now that Alonso has given the movie a full 10 though is wild! That makes my expectations for Challengers go up through the roof now so it better be that good! 💯 Last year, Polite Society, came out on my birthday weekend and that movie was a beautiful surprise and it ended up being on my top 10 of the year, so, I hope you guys are right that this movie is actually that good because it has a lot to live up to. 🤔

[@ThomasKirby-ub4vy]

At first I was like LUCA GUADININO directing a tennis film??!?!, then after I saw the movie I was like HELL YEAH LUCA GUADANINO DIRECTED A TENNIS FILM! funny thing is even tho this is far from ur typical sports movie genre here, you still do FEEL and WANT the characters to succeed in the end like it gives u all the highs and lows of a sports movie and GOD THE SCORE it’s amazing how Luca can do a cannibal road trip romance film bones and all AND THEN AFTER do a tennis sports romance film.. it’s amazing

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Hell yeah indeed! And yes, you definitely get sucked into the sports-movie tension of it all. Glad you loved it too.

[@atari2602]

It's a good movie, but it's more of a 7.5 for me. Part of the problem is I didn't think it was very sexy. I'm not saying it's not sexy; it just wasn't to me. That's not the movie's fault though. If it's sexy to you, I can see putting it in the 9 range.

[@samhadvisions]

Just saw it and I loved it.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Woo hoo!

[@Trumpgettingcheeksclappedinpri]

still no first omen review?

[@blackkcinamacritic]

I truly enjoyed this movie a lot I think Zendaya is fantastic I think all three characters are great and complex the stories Are complex in thrilling I think this is one of Luca's best films 9 / 10

[@BreakfastAllDay]

So glad you loved it too! She is indeed a star.

[@dieselthejeweler]

Just saw it. This was cinema, one of the best movies ive seen in a while. Not only already the best movie of this year but one of the best of this decade im going that far with it. I would say some of the camera work stuff Christy mentions did throw me as well a little, as well as a few other things. Overall tho, great movie 9.7. Rivals/might be better than Oppenheimer and Poor things, best movies from last year.

[@mthomas1091]

Isn’t it just This Means War w Reece Witherspoon & Chris Pine & Tom Hardy? Did Zendaya even try running a focus group 🤨?

[@BreakfastAllDay]

It is very much not.

[@bornowl]

I liked the movie. I don’t see plot. Just exposition. Anti-heroes with sympathetic motivations. Really want a DNA test. And a “where are they now?”

[@teresamichellevera3939]

Agree! I wish the director spent less time showing those long ball-hitting tennis scenes and a little more character development and exploration. Also, is that Patrick's daughter??

[@DavidN369]

SO living for this one. It is, after all, Zendaya's world, and we just live in it. Mr. Faist grabbed us as Riff in the WSS remake, Mr. O'Connor showed us how sexy he could be in "God's Own Country," and Mr. Guadagnino can never be counted out. Woohoo, hoorah, hopla. Thanks as ever, Christy and Alonso.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

So glad, David! Yes, Mike Faist is awesome, and Josh O'Connor is hot right now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@DavidN369]

Marvelous fillum. It remains true: Zendaya's world, we just live in it. The guys are great, too, and the ending is spectacular. Woohoo, hoorah, hopla. ❤❤❤

[@tccandler]

That film was AWFUL. Three vapid, empty vessels sharing zero chemistry with each other. 147 slow-zooms in 139 minutes set to generic EDM. Repetitive shots. Terrible camera angles. Morally bankrupt motivations. Everything about this film felt amateurish. My biggest disagreement with you both to date!

[@devviedowner13]

Spot on 👏👏👏

[@Wiz83]

I wouldn't say this movie is "sexy as hell" as Christy puts it, having seen a legitimately sexy movie like Blue is the Warmest Colour. Tennis scenes were really well done though and the three main cast members certainly have undeniable chemistry. So far this year I've found myself a bit at odds with Christy and Alonso. They loved this movie while I merely found it ok, and they hated Lisa Frankenstein and Drive Away Dolls while I quite enjoyed them in spite of their flaws.

[@lisahall9061]

I agree. Mezmerizing movie on all counts. Cinematography, character developement, script, musical score excellent and off beat. Totally lucas style with sexual tention. Editing great.. maybe one or two things didnt work for me but id give it 9.9 too..

[@BreakfastAllDay]

So glad you loved it too, Lisa!

[@billiestevens318]

If you are “team” rainbow, you should see it. Most are going to wish they skipped it tbh.

[@commandZee]

It's a good problem to have, but it's starting to get hard keeping up with all these great films.

[@rykeman916]

This is maybe my favorite movie of the year so far. The only competition is the other delayed 2023 Zendaya movie

[@BreakfastAllDay]

She's having an incredible year!

[@byronsauer2697]

Was really looking forward to seeing this last fall based on the trailer. However Christie & Alonso’ recollection are more exciting than the actual movie - it's an utter bore. Bones & All was his masterpiece, this just plays flat and shows Lucas limitations as a director much like Suspiria. Maybe under a different director this could have actually worked.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Sorry Byron! You didn’t think the last tennis match was thrilling?

[@byronsauer2697]

⁠@@BreakfastAllDay Didnt even make it to the end unfortunately, walked out when Zadaya came back to Art after breaking her knee. My dislike started right off the bat with that awkward opening shot before the MGM logo which looked like it was composited by AI. Appreciated the structure & acting but Luca couldn't make the pieces connect. This would've been better served as a miniseries on Amazon.

[@SidV101]

I thought this looked kinda trash based on the trailer then I noticed who directed it and then the reviews dropped... damn maybe not lol

[@lisahall9061]

Luca always puts spins on his movie that makes it tempting.. except for bones.. 👎

[@bev9708]

WHAAAAT?? 10!!!! Well, I absolutely hated the trailer even the first time I saw it but even worse after being bombarded with it over the last few weeks, including a shortened version before EVERY youtube video, and so no way I was gonna go see that crap... clearly I was totally wrong and you've completely changed my mind of course!! Funny how trailers can really turn us off sometimes, it was the same for a French film "Et plus si affinités" which looked just awful in the trailer but turned out to be really good!!!

[@angelthman1659]

Finally caught this. It's basically a soap opera done in an artsy way using flashbacks. I liked it, though didn't love it. As usual, Luca's movie is 10 to 15 minutes too long. I see no reason for a small film centered around 3 characters to be over two hours. The ending is meandering. No disrespect to Alonso and Dave, or to the gay community, but I was annoyed by the shoehorning of homoerotic moments in a movie about a heterosexual love triangle. It felt perverted to me, a director getting his rocks off. It didn't fit. If Luca wants to tell gay stories he should make movies about gays, not insert fake sexuality where it doesn't belong. This should have been called out more, but of course everyone's afraid of being cancelled. Anyway, I'm not speaking against gay movies, only asserting that this is not one. I'm guessing the original script didn't have the queer subplot.

[@tlovehater]

If they knew the movie was this good and from a good director why did they have to release it in april and not before awards season? This might get Taron Egerton'd 🥺 lol.

[@lucywright8110]

The movie was put on hold because of the actor strikes last year

[@tlovehater]

@@lucywright8110 This is coming out too early in the year and I fear it will only get like a Nickelodeon Awards nomination lol.

[@BD-yd5dl]

I had to watch this on streaming because of all of the buzz. I'm not there with all the praise. A love triangle with lots of time jumps back and forth and ridiculous ending that plays out waaaaay too long. Silly movie. No no no. 4 out of 10

[@Alec_Collins78]

Couldn't get on board. At one point I would have left but I had popcorn and couldn't be bothered to move. Even I'm surprised just how bitter I am about having lost the time though so maybe I'll mellow. Eh.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Sorry to hear that!

[@PeterKnagge]

Tennis?? It's looks very "new generation" divisive, young, trendy, jetset, & flattering to the ego, so of course Hollywood swoons because they're desperate to be "in the clique" & turn their back on yet another "nerdy" superhero blockbuster. It missed the serve with me, maybe I'll watch it when it streams.

[@rpena0899]

This movie is awesome classy trash. All 3 leads were fantastic and it was way funnier than I expected it to be. Such a great film and one of my faves from Guadanino. Zendaya is a fucking star and if she keeps up the trajectory she's on, she'll be one of the greats.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Agree with all of that! Awesome classy trash is a great way to describe it.

[@chrisc2439]

3.5 ntrp movie

[@bretta6614]

I couldn't disagree more. I hated it

[@kellyrob4296]

I LOVE this review like I LOVED the out-of-theatre reaction from you guys!! Rarely has Alfonso felt a way about a film that I think I will most likely feel the same way too. I swooned when Alfonso was explaining how propulsive it was due to ‘editing that was SO exciting’, it’s thrillingly put together with complicated character studies and palpable eroticism - HOWever the fuck he stated why he appreciated, ‘All The Things’…I do believe I’ll concur. These tickled me!!! Along with the phrase Christy borrowed about, “It’s a hat on a hat”, concerning some of the camera work choices. I look up to Alonso and his film knowledge, especially older films but also foreign & documentaries! But truly, so so much more I admire him and Christy too because their wide range of film knowledge just in general! I’m just excited we are all on the same exact page, I feel it in my bones, and I just wish I could’ve seen it with them at a cool smaller historic theatre in LA. That, my dear, would of been a major lifelong dream realized and it would’ve be one mark off on the ole bucket list!!!! 🎥🎬📽🎞🍿🎦🎟📒📼🎭

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Thanks for all the kind words Kelly!

[@makon89]

Part of the thrill of Dunkirk is the way time is used in the film; shouldn't have spoiled that fact about this film, it takes away from the experience. You basically spoiled how the film ends, I love you guys but I often wait to see your review until after I've seen a film just to not get spoiled on things like this.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Oh there's so much in store for you, just you wait.

[@yiarkungfu]

I'm not a fan of Zendaya because her only acting talent is showing a grumpy face and being indifferent. But there must be something there if you guys love it, so I'll check it out.

[@Alec_Collins78]

She was funny in that Spiderman film.

[@teresamichellevera3939]

Her Disney stuff, Shake it Up and KC Undercover shows her comedic timing, but you're not gonna win any awards or become acclaimed or get 10 out 10 movie reviews being funny on screen, lol! I mean it's possible but rare...

[@charleswind8298]

20 something love triangle. Shoot me now. Couldn’t care less.

[@Pupeyes]

The good ole story of Don’t 💩 Where You Eat 🍲