CHALLENGERS Movie Review **SPOILER ALERT**

[@kwalton7690]

Nick is correct! Patrick is bisexual and had feelings for Art. I think Tashi used that to her advantage to get them to play the best they could. I love the wind scenes and it was a great marker for the timeline. Also none of them had friends and are never shown hanging out with other people, they just have each other. Great review!

[@hayleys4627]

I adore the moment in the final match where Patrick holds the ball in the middle of the racket to indicate to Art that he had sex with Tashi. It was incredible non verbal story telling.

[@ahmorgan]

@@jgnmtz No, remember earlier in the film a little before Art went to Stanford, Patrick told Art he'd slept with Tashi by holding the ball in the middle of the racket which was Art's tell when playing. Zendaya knew nothing about that

[@ayeshaabdulkarim972]

@@jgnmtzNooo ur wrong. Earlier when Art is begging Patrick to spill the beans on their sex life he asks him to just give me a signal. That was the signal.

[@ijustineapplestore]

my autistic ass knew that was gonna happen again as soon as it happened the first time 🥸

[@hungtotheover3385]

The look on Joseph’s face is me when I watched the trailer lol

[@ZodsSnappedNeck]

Yeah that trailer is rough, to say the least.

[@2120musiclover]

Same

[@liberatedy.o.u.4017]

Me too lol

[@cdk1473]

😂😂😂

[@triciabrubacher6697]

I’m with Nick on this one! Loved all the passion, tension, build/up and the final pay-off. So well done. So hot! And of course loved that score.

[@erinnmjones]

Homie said, “I felt like my time was violated”🤣

[@tangentexy]

If this movie really "feels European", then Luca's goal as a director was reached and I'm even more excited for it!

[@mmorgan1980]

Joseph in the middle of summing up the movie finale: "Who won?" 😂

[@annetomori4919]

That's the question though. I blinked and it was over

[@Chicago48]

I saw the movie and it kept me engaged until the last 20 minutes. I was following it as much as possible, but it kept jumping back and forth in time. I liked the relationships, but it was hard for me to believe that Tashi would still be manipulating the two players 13 years later as a 30ish woman. I like the question "who actually won"?

[@britnotspears7108]

Yes, I’m here trying to get an explanation of the ending. It’s been bothering me for a week 😂.

[@MichelleNeelinMedia]

No one won, they would have to keep playing for 7 more points.

[@js7dragon]

Nick was INTO this film.

[@000zamaru]

Love to see Nick so excited about a film! We get so much dreck in theaters... it's like a little ray of sunlight

[@Dreamergirl-lx5zb]

In the end art realizes patrick is losing on purpose and gets determined and then starts to actually play and patrick gets excited because it reminds him of their friendship and goes all in as well and art ends up winning snd also winning his friend. and tashi is in the audience not knowing whats about to enfold now that art knows the truth but also still loves his old friend.

[@ericamacs3875]

Like they chose each other over her..

[@taylakurner]

Exactly! This is exactly how I interpreted it. It's like they finally got back to the connection they had before Tashi entered the picture. I thought it was the perfect ending. Their love for each other was stronger than the love they had for her.

[@Loveseatlegend]

I interpreted Tashi’s excitement as her getting to witness some great tennis being played; that’s been her true love. Her yell was the same as when she beat that girl. Tennis had always been more than a game to her. Art winning wouldn’t have made her that excited especially since she bribed Patrick to lose.

[@PancakeDiaries]

​@@Loveseatlegendshe can tell her lost genuinely tho

[@Poopinpooop]

This is my first time seeing ya’lls content. I LOVE the way you guys reviewed this movie. You all seem so smart and nuanced and sophisticated with how you analyze movies. And I like the dry humor a lot. Can’t wait to watch more reviews

[@martinavila7401]

This gives me vibes of "Y tu mama tambien" just by the images and trailers.

[@e3vL1]

I like how when there was awkwardness on screen, they would blast out techo music like the director was ashamed of it

[@LeeBeeDeeTree51]

Joseph is like that college professor whose classes everyone avoids because he grades so hard.

[@kylaphilippe580]

20:01 Omg noo I thought there was so much passion. I was on the edge of my seat tbh. The chemistry was crazy between all 3 of them. When patrick was eating the banana or the sauna scene or the scene where they were eating the churro and patrick pulls the seat close. I’m just mad all we got at the end was a hug

[@jandmvideos9051]

I enjoyed your discussion of this movie because you disagreed in ways that highlighted the good and bad aspects so well. I didn’t think I wanted to see this, but now I’m intrigued. Thanks!

[@madelinegarrett5725]

I loved watching this dialogue. Y’all are the only reviewers I trust.

[@tigerstorm]

I don’t feel Tashi was a pure manipulative as a lot people think. I felt she was robbed of winning by the injury and she has her whole life thrown off the track, and all she did was to live a life vicariously through a surrogate, i.e. Art and later contemplating about replacing him with Patrick as proposed by Patrick. She is a woman walking wounded ever since. She also has a thing for Patrick because he rejected her earlier. All leads are very complex but has unique M.O. They were torn apart but came together by the end by acknowledging what they each wanted.

[@AseFreed-qw6ot]

Imo, Art loved Tashi but Tashi secretly wanted Pat but Pat truly Loves Art. I really wanted so badly in the sauna scene, for Art to tell Pat he knows he loves him. Thanks for the review!!! I appreciate your takes!

[@michaelvarga2017a]

Thank you for your analysis. It really helped me understand so much of the garbled dialogue that gets smothered in between kisses and oddly filmed camera angles. I agree with you Joseph that the last 30 minutes were much too drawn-out, even if Nick thinks that was appropriate "edging." There was no need to put so many tennis shots in slow motion. Overall, the connection between Art and Patrick is never fully explored except in relation to Tashi and that seems deficient as a satisfying narrative. Yes, the psychological games-playing is interesting to a point, but by the end a typical viewer feels like these three really don't know what life and love really are all about. A handsome film (pretty people) but at its core leaves a viewer glad that they don't have these people in their life.

[@blkchoklit]

“They played tennis together like in couples” ☺️☺️ this made me smile. I feel like all of my years of playing tennis prepared me for this moment to say …doubles. OK, back to the video. Love y’all.

[@fishjellyfilmreviews]

🙌🏾

[@QueenInCursive]

Thank you two for the review. I know this movie is going to be good if Nick loved it. I can’t wait to go see it.

[@67maxfield]

a lot of what i love about you guys is the vibe that youre both always ready and willing to strangle one another loll. but for real, love your reviews.

[@nicholaspruitt9032]

Damn and Luca got Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross to do the score too…!?!? So dope.

[@indigoblues93]

I REALLY liked it! The time jumping definitely felt jumbled & the script limited the characters a lil bit. But it’s still fun/rewatch-able. Zendaya was giving me Zoe Saldana w that mom bob!

[@js7dragon]

The kids are calling it "fluid," Joseph. lol

[@FullEffectCo]

😂

[@Blaze-ee8pi]

Hi Joseph & Nick! Just saw the movie today. Joseph you are so correct....this movie was going back and forth a hundred times faster than a tennis match.....so insane and driving me crazy! Some scenes are only for a few minutes and they just keep flashing back and forth from past to present.

[@joanietails]

I just saw this tonight, so of course I rushed right over here for the Fish Jelly breakdown lol. A few things that caught my attention: Was that possibly Patrick’s daughter? It would explain the need for the 2016 meeting scene. He also stays not remembering her name, which double down emphasizes him not knowing she’s his. The placement of the sports tape on Art’s back was kind of like where angel wings would be. He was the most innocent one of the three. Art & Patrick fooling around together on opposite sides of the room at 12 & how it was instructional only, the shared kiss with Tashi, the “it’s a sauna” nakedness… these were all excuses to suppress their attraction. Why did Art react the way he did at the end? Was he angry that his wife cheated, or jealous that she was the one who got to be with Patrick? Tashi’s role in the film was to be the penis they kept effing each other with. Tennis was just a metaphor for the back & forth between the men.

[@hayleys4627]

I really liked the film. Guadagnino is incredibly versatile.

[@williamerazo3921]

He’s a verse. Of course

[@nicholaspruitt9032]

A couple months ago I heard Zendaya give an interview about learning to play tennis. She said she literally hit imaginary cgi tennis balls and that’s how they shot the scenes! Like no Sista, you need to learn tennis to play tennis with a ball, not without it.

[@hungtotheover3385]

Zendaya be like: I played Wii Sports Resort to get ready for Challengers 😂😂😂😂

[@LuckiinMedicine]

Great review! You forgot to mention the churro scene. I feel like that was a great example of the underlying flirtation between the two male leads.

[@tigerstorm]

Loved this film! All the slow motions tell a complex story of subtle emotions! Loved the ending because everyone became so honest, finally! And none was through talking🤩

[@jobcampbell8767]

Straight as an arrow, yet i continue coming to this channel for spoilers. Keep up the good work/reviews guys.

[@izach28]

Want a 🍪?

[@jobcampbell8767]

@izach28 yeah. You got one?!. Chocolate chip please.

[@BluePrada]

The one thing about Luca Guadagnino, he’s isn’t ever gonna give a gay man a job 💀

[@robertjazz3613]

Honestly 😅

[@gonzalosepulveda7684]

Openly gay man you mean 😅

[@BluePrada]

@@gonzalosepulveda7684 ??

[@3l3llala13]

Perhaps he casts the best people for the job, regardless of sexuality ?

[@UltimateAwe]

@@3l3llala13this

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

Seems like the gay subtext is more intriguing than the hetero overlay

[@hayleys4627]

It does. Watch for the churro scene, it’s brimming with subtext.

[@icyvolts]

Wouldn’t it be bi…

[@carltonvivian934]

I liked how the trailer tricked people really thought a 3 way was gonna happen

[@RyanHaile]

The film is definitely queer but I would also say it’s pretty polyamorous

[@Nooooooooooooooooooooo7913]

The way that Art and Patrick had wayyyy more chemistry in their 1:1 scenes than they individually had with Zendaya in any sex scene was crazy lol

[@lkf8799]

I just got finished seeing it and the first thing I did was come home to hear what you said about it 😁 I had a great time! 🎾 I knew the trailer was a big tease and couldn't wait to see if the movie lived up to the hype. Definitely some odd music choices in a few places and Joseph is right that it could have been a bit tighter in places and a bit less time jumping but also absolutely agree with Nick that the characters are delightfully complicated, the contention is just yummy and I loved the windy scene! They all deserve each other 😂 P.S. I think Wimbledon is such a cute movie. Too bad you didn't watch that as a couple 🤗

[@vinnylt2408]

Art didn’t break up Tasha and Pat by being manipulative. Pat had wandering eyes, Tasha already knew the Art has feelings for her, and Art was constantly fighting with her and being manipulative in his own way, not to mention he wasn’t showing up for her games.

[@Lilboozibert]

I don't care much for tennis but I like Luca's Suspiria and Bones and All. I missed CMBYN. Zendaya's a good actress and I'm happy to see her explore depth. Not gonna watch the whole review because I'll watch it in the theater. ❤ Thanks for the review!

[@martymascarin486]

Thanks guys! There's certainly more than meets the eye in the movie, which goes beyond the love-&-sport-on-off-the-court as the trailer seems to suggest. Much simmering subtext, though the characterization does remain a wee bit thin. But the cinematography & editing are top shelf---the balls shooting right at the camera, the racquets hitting the balls like rifle shots--elevates the film.

[@clairedavis5268]

I think she just wants to see good tennis. Her manipulating them at both major matches is making them play at their best. She doesn't care about love... which she says to art

[@gamerdrops]

Final note Zendaya has resting sleepy face

[@IfYouInsist]

I’ve been waiting for this one…

[@xricardox109]

I love you guys! I can't wait to watch a film so I can see your reviews. I also love watching your reviews of films I have no interest in.

[@nerddoctors]

We surprisingly really enjoyed this movie. It was really well written with flawed characters that made it fun to watch. It was a fun drama to watch.

[@scarfaceg3465]

I thought the same about Patrick, being bisexual, after the scene in the locker room, confirmed it for me.

[@LexisReadz]

This film was the first time I went into a movie without a fish jelly review! Well I will say the score definitely had some jarring moments. I’m not sure how much I liked the movie. I think there’s something more I wanted out of it that it didn’t give me, but I can’t put my finger on what it is. Zendaya did the damn thing either way!

[@alfredoparsons5420]

Didn’t think I was going to watch this film but you have me intrigued now

[@lalittl]

Joseph, I finally feel seen!! I didn’t understand anyone’s motivation except Tashi…and the stakes were not high. And is pretending to be a pauper a rich person fetsih? Patrick was out here like Princess Jasmine in the marketplace pretending to be a peasant for no reason. 😂😂😂

[@samf.s.7731]

I audibly laughed at the princess Jasmine part... I guess it's part of a form of narcissism, the variety where you'd like to think "you're a good person" and "should do this without your parents help". While not a fetish in the literal psychological sense, it is something some people get a kick out of. As someone living in the U.S. I gotta say, there's no way that kind of narcissism survives as you will no longer have the luxury to entertain it. It's the system though, you feel like it's useless to fight because it's as concrete as the walls of the skyscrapers in wallstreet that have held it up for so long... And you're just trying to survive.

[@lalittl]

@@samf.s.7731 yea im from the US as well. I grew up poor but ended up going to a very wealthy college and i am now upper class. So i have experienced both poverty and stability. The idea of someone choosing poverty when they have a choice is wild to someone like me. The movie should have done a better job of fleshing that out

[@docsnake]

I just watched this movie, and I cannot believe that more people weren't talking about Zendaya's atrocious wig. I was so distracted by it at the last match that I told my friend "I absolutely loathe that wig."

[@allistar34]

fun fact this was written by celine song's (past lives director/writer) husband

[@eja9539]

That couple likes three way love stories. I wonder who their real life third is. 😋

[@fi8urefilms959]

Josh O’Connor has been my favorite actor this year with La Chimera and this film.

[@justinedge8553]

I really wish I enjoyed it more. It was missing something that connects the story. The stakes feel so low and I genuinely didn’t care who won or how they got there. The relationships feel so transactional and less developed to the point where it misses engaging you.

[@napturaladvice7646]

Was it an actor chemistry problem?🤔Along with the story issues?

[@justinedge8553]

This will sound contrarian but I think the chemistry between the actors plus a very barebones story. What you see is what you get and for me it was hollow

[@Kevin-rg3yc]

just saw it and I lean way more to Joseph's POV, i like the energy and eroticism presented and the performances were really good however, the characterizations to the main 3 lead was extremely weak, like we don't see them interact with anyone outside of each other, I also feel zendaya didn't do a job playing the duality between a college young adult and a early 30s wife, for her present days zendaya she both looked and acted as a girl in her 20s, josh and mike did much better jobs at that, in addition the present days scenes didn't have the same excitement the way the past scenes did, like i liked the non-linear narrative but i wished they kept the same excitement as past scenes

[@CallowXayne]

I'm leaning more toward the 3.5 overall also. Liked it much more than I expected but didn't love it. "I'm just passing by, but this is where you live."💀

[@chickenwaffles9860]

13:04 such an accurate take on the score, I loved it

[@siennaheather1510]

Went in with the lowest possible expectations. Thought rom com. Left amazed and surprised. Incredible. Also the score is Trent Reznor- it’s incredible

[@puspavelai8353]

The trailer had me thinking one of the character's not going to survive - and here I hear that the 'danger' is not meant for us, more for them! Both ideas is romantic in sports I guess!

[@Momoalex]

I’m a big Zendaya fan but I have 0 interest in the movie

[@CynsCorner]

Same - except I'm not a fan at all. It's probably the main reason I'm not interested, but the premise itself is not up my alley at all, so there's that too.

[@mj369lucky7]

The trailer did not do it any justice… she’s not nude and there is no sex scenes.

[@joanietails]

That’s what I thought, but the film was surprisingly good!

[@f1mbultyr]

feels homophobic

[@kumaridesilva3992]

buried in the story is this information that Tashi grew up w/less money than the 2 boys who went to an exclusive boarding school I thought at first the grandmother who travels with them was Art's mom, until it was made clear this is Tashi's mom. Tashi gets turned on by money because from a young age it's on her to raise her whole family economically. Maybe her mother is the only person she really cares about. By contrast Patrick is from a wealthy family, so for him slumming it is how he amuses himself also w/sexual conquest. They're all lonely isolated characters - - if the two men can salvage a friendship I think it would be good for them . . but I dunno if that's possible with Tashi around

[@PancakeDiaries]

She was a catalyst for them and the destroying force... They were better as friends at a vie for her attention. Both were less than after obtaining her, yet in different ways.

[@PancakeDiaries]

Just finished watching it... Zendaya is a dope actress. Certain aspects of her character pissed me off, but I like the psychology of it all. A lot of subliminal stuff

[@mariannfodi2773]

I watched it twice and the second time I noticed more of those looks, body language. What hit me was the sauna scene where I realised their dynamic: Art was very manly for the first time with Patrick who was very weak, and Art looked very strong physically and said “I don’t want to play with you, I’m too old.” Patrick was very manly with Tashi, and she was bossy with Art. After the sauna came that bedroom scene with the beautiful spanish song, which showed a very different Art. At the end I think the guys chose their friendship. Or each other? No idea about that. 😊

[@scarfaceg3465]

I enjoyed this movie! I enjoyed this review I respect that Nick is his own person, Joseph accepts and let's Nick speak his emotions and thoughts on this movie.

[@charleselmore4707]

Good discussion, boys 😊

[@nicholaspruitt9032]

Ok so the movie sounds sexy and brilliant and it sounds very motivating. Y’all won me over.

[@veganpeace7890]

Joseph, I agree eith you about the wavy bob wig! It's so rare when you guys disagree on a movie! I love the debate though!

[@That_guy_antony_ware]

I think Patrick wanting him was reintroduced in that sauna scene. Art just rejected it but even then, it felt like a part of him wanted it too.

[@gamerdrops]

Score also AMAZING as you point out

[@kyleb8655]

I enjoyed the movie but it was like “slow motion” the movie. This movie had more slow motion than a Zack Snyder film and it was NOT needed. It drags things out for so long I feel like there was at least 20 minutes of slow motion. If they cut some of the slow mo I think the movie would have been perfect

[@RonaldMorgan-n7o]

Both of you made good points, but I agreed more over all with Nick's opinion.

[@mesalouis8976]

I had never heard of this movie til your video popped up in my feed.🤷🏾‍♀️

[@Nangs666]

I love a good relationship chaotic drama.

[@jentalksbooks]

Great discussion. 📽 🎬 Thanks!

[@fishjellyfilmreviews]

Thank you!

[@RB-.-]

Was incredible. Seeing a lot of people complaining that the characters had basic motivations and no depth really dont agree

[@leticiakyere-yeboah9581]

Loved the music - so intense.

[@williamerazo3921]

Well I’m going to see this movie.

[@Gemstar_70]

This director directed one of my fave films "Call Me By Your Name" which I like more than Challengers even though I liked this film.

[@casieatthe393]

The only review I care to watch about this movie

[@josuefelix2695]

"Y tu mamá también" meets tennis

[@jessicaflores483]

I felt like she plays them against each other .. and at the end they pick each other over her..

[@eja9539]

Art was giving Mormon musical in a dreams. I thought the actor projected like he was about to break out into a passionate song.

[@detectivedaffodil437]

I agree vwith Joseph that the end was super drawn out,

[@Findyourcall]

I am curious what Tashi's final scream is about? Her realising she has no control of any of them anymore? Or she is just happy for Art to win?

[@AnnabelleLeeTx]

Ooo I loved a Bigger Splash, might have to check those one out

[@taylormade9748]

Absolutely enjoyed this movie. It was…titillating lol. Can’t wait to watch it again

[@ijustineapplestore]

why was patrick trying to create sexual tension between himself and every other person. the way he was insanely close to every person he talked to 👁️👄👁️

[@margotk538]

Another great tennis thriller movie is Match Point.

[@simbahunter8894]

I saw this movie in a theater full of teenage white girls and they LOVED this movie, especially when the guys were making out.

[@CynsCorner]

I have zero desire or plan to see this, so I'm tuned in for the spoilers. 😆

[@adiaj9228]

It’s clearly a toxic love story between Patrick and Art. Tashi /Zendaya is the ball going back and forth. Patrick is bi, we see that he has men and women on his dating app and he was always trying to get close to Art. At the end, I realized Patrick was always in love with Art, but Art was into Tashi. He threw that game for Art not Tashi.

[@petergrossi6605]

I’m seeing it Sunday night in imax. You two are amazing critics

[@j.n924]

I’m with Nick on this one, I thought the score was great and appreciated the underlying tension between Patrick and Art. I also liked how the movie, as Nick put it, edged us in the final tennis match

[@atsaichu]

By jumping over and touching or rather, crashing onto the net, Art loses that point in the final moment of the film. So we will never know who wins the match. I feel that it is a great ending not knowing because it doesn't matter to them either.

[@ddyert]

This is a beautiful and heartbreaking movie.

[@jacobstaten2366]

I'm just going to let this one fall in the memory hole. That's where it's probably going any.

[@That_guy_antony_ware]

I really did not enjoy this movie at all so it’s interesting hearing you guys’ perspective. It makes me rethink some things I initially dismissed. It’s still not a film I’d go back and watch again but your review at least made me rethink some things I initially hated haha. I do think Zendaya did well in the role but overall, I was bored by the middle and waiting for it to be over.

[@gamerdrops]

A thing I wondered about the tinder swipes is, has he set it to both men and women cuz that's what he likes, or cuz he's so desperate for money / places to stay

[@Itzy91]

Joseph thought one of them would kill themselves??? 😭😭😭

[@kellykelley2649]

lol - can't wait

[@physicsteachr]

Nobody’s won (the tennis match) by the time the credits roll. At best, Art won the point but he’d need 6 more points and 2 more than Patrick to win.

[@ericamacs3875]

I didn't think they had finished that tie break at the end?? That did confuse me also lol.

[@clairedavis5268]

they mostly come at night... mostly

[@clairedavis5268]

=)