CinemaJoe’s review published on Letterboxd:
There is no sport more intimate or erotic than tennis. It is one of the few major sports where two players agree to partake, for hours, in a duel of body, mind, and soul. Naturally, to engage with anyone that intensely, an inescapable relationship is forged— one that intensifies with every stroke, every bead of sweat, every grunt. It may not be as fleshy as boxing, but arguably the lack of contact is what makes tennis more arousing— is not the anticipation of intimacy more thrilling than the act itself?
So it makes sense that tennis is used as a vehicle to explore the dynamics of relationships— both romantic and platonic. The constant tension between obsession and desire. Sex as a weapon, sex as a tool. Challengers is completely unafraid to explore the sensuality and innate queerness in sports, in friendship. Zendaya, Faist, and O’Connor are truly larger than life and their sweaty chemistry is the much needed reminder of the imperative role sex plays in storytelling.
The Reznor/Ross score invading your ears, O’Connor’s devious smile, Zendaya’s guttural yell, Faist’s apprehensive smirk— you will never look at tennis the same, nor should you.
