Challengers

Review: Get ready for a small influx of 2024 movie reviews because the films released at the beginning of this year are making their way to streaming. Anyways into Challengers. Boy oh boy. This was an EXTREMELY well made movie, but I really didn’t love it. It just wasn’t for me and that’s totally okay. I can praise the acting of Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, & Mike Faist and the extreme tension the three of them bring as well as the great acting they do with body language and facial expressions. I also thought it was cool they were really the only characters in the movie.

High: There are two things I want to put as highs and I expect this movie to be nominated for both of these at next year’s Oscars. First is the incredible score done by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross which always matched the pace of the movie which varies drastically from slow sensual scenes to extremely face paced tennis scenes. Secondly and most importantly is the cinematography done by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom. Throughout the film, yes, but specifically in the tennis scenes. Seeing the camera from the point-of-view of the players, the ball, the crowd, from above and even BELOW the court were all great.

Low: This whole movie made me tense. I appreciate that a movie should be able to make you feel any type of emotion, but tension isn’t one I’m a fan of. I was anxious the whole movie and that’s just not really my jam.

Rating: 6.5/10