Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Smart, sexy tennis drama revels in desire and competition.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Challengers
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 18 parent reviews
Parents say the film is filled with themes of sexuality, competition, and interpersonal relationships set against the backdrop of tennis, leading to mixed feelings among viewers regarding its suitability for younger audiences. While some found the cinematography and score compelling, others criticized the excessive focus on sexual content and character motivations, deeming it inappropriate for teenagers despite some positive feedback from specific parents about its entertainment value.
- sexual content
- audience suitability
- cinematography praised
- mixed reactions
- themes of competition
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 20 kid reviews
Kids say this movie has a mix of tennis and romantic themes, featuring significant nudity and mature content that might be inappropriate for younger audiences. While some viewers appreciated its relatability and performances, particularly those of the lead, many reviews pointed out the lack of a solid plot and excessive focus on sexual scenes.
- mature themes
- performance praise
- excessive nudity
- weak plot
- age recommendation
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
CHALLENGERS is a romantic sports drama about a love triangle with roots in the world of elite tennis. At a juniors championship, doubles champions and best friends Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) and Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor) meet phenom Tashi Duncan (Zendaya) and are both immediately smitten. After the trio enjoy a night of drinking, smoking, and kissing, Tashi can't decide which of the boys she'll give her number to. So she announces that she'll grant it to the winner of their singles' match the next day. Thus begins a love triangle that twists and turns through college and beyond. Fast-forward 13 years, and Tashi is now Art's wife and coach, getting him through a post-surgical comeback season. During a seemingly inconsequential tournament in New Rochelle, New York, Patrick, whose star never rose to the same heights as the Donaldsons', discovers that he could face Art in the finals. And seeing the ambitious Patrick again stirs unexpected feelings in calculating Tashi, who seems to want Art to win more than Art wants it for himself.
Is It Any Good?
Director Luca Guadagnino coaxes excellent performances from Zendaya, Faist, and O'Connor in this genre-bending story about tennis and desire. Although it's the two young men's relationship that rings truest in the screenplay—and is also the most moving—there's no denying that Art and Patrick's role in Challengers is largely to stare at, long for, and try to claim Tashi. Zendaya takes the role seriously, moving and looking like a real tennis pro who says things like "tennis is a relationship" and the Han Solo-esque "I know" in response to her vulnerable husband's adoring "I love you." In one of the most universal truths ever spoken in a movie, Art, when asked whether Tashi is his type, replies: "Aren't you everybody's type?" That sums up the theme of obsessive desire right there: It's all too easy to fall in love (or lust) with Tashi.
All three main characters are underdeveloped in the screenplay, even though the actors do a wonderful job with what they're given. Faist sweetly leans into being the loyal Art, and O'Connor is surprisingly effective as the overconfident, reckless Patrick. Zendaya, meanwhile, is mesmerizing as the terrifyingly intense (and morally gray) Tashi. The techno score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is propulsive and ratchets up the tension of the movie's various tennis matches. But there are also moments of levity and humor to offset the darker ones of loss and betrayal. The characters' motivations are so obvious that they lack nuanced layers, but it's ultimately entertaining to see these three remarkable athletes compete, pine, and hope.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether there are any role models in Challengers. If so, what character strengths do they display?
Discuss the enduring popularity of love triangles as a narrative device. How does the relationship between the two main male characters add nuance to this particular triangle?
What do you think happens at the end of the movie? Who ends up with whom?
How does this compare to other sports-centric movies you've seen? Do you consider it a romance, a sports drama, or a mix?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 26, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : May 17, 2024
- Cast : Zendaya , Josh O'Connor , Mike Faist
- Director : Luca Guadagnino
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Director(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Multiracial Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Amazon MGM Studios
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 131 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language throughout, some sexual content and graphic nudity
- Awards : Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : March 30, 2026
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