NEW YORK (AP) — How sexy can a qualifying tennis tournament in New Rochelle, New York, be? When the on-court drama involves Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, the answer turns out to be quite a bit more than your average USTA singles match in Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers.”
The film, directed by Guadagnino from a script by playwright Justin Kuritzkes, may have the appearance of a sports movie. Much of the action happens in between baselines. There are break points and short shorts. But in Guadagnino’s film, what’s being volleyed isn’t just a fuzzy little yellow ball.
“The ball is the ephemeral, invisible force of desire,” says Guadagnino, the director of “Call Me By Your Name” and “Bones and All.” “I wanted to show desire going back and forth.”
The result, by a score of about six-love, is the love triangle of the year. “Challengers,” which Amazon MGM Studios releases in theaters Friday, takes the melodrama of the threesome and gives it a breathless, bi-curious spin. That’s especially due to the multilateral chemistry between Zendaya, O’Connor and Faist — all actors in their late 20s or early 30s, all very capable of smoldering when called upon.
Novartis, Danaher rise; Nucor, Cadence Design Systems fall, Tuesday, 4/23/2024
Bernie Sanders wants to spend $10BILLION on long Covid 'moonshot' operation
Michael Douglas, 79, reveals the moment he realised his wife Catherine Zeta
Caitlin Clark to sign new Nike deal valued at $28 million over 8 years, reports say
Costco member spotted returning vintage item from 2002 under retailer's 'unlimited grace period'
Thierry Henry predicts Phil Foden's stunning goal in 3
Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh step in for cancer
US women's soccer to play Olympic send
Khloe Kardashian seen for the first time since OJ Simpson's death
Talling in love! Alison Hammond joins cohort of celebs couples with notable height differences
Netflix fans go wild over 'absolutely brilliant' new drama but are surprised by a shock cameo