“Cold calculation and ruthless drive.” Critics were delighted with Zendaya in “The Contenders”

On April 26, the world premiere of the film “Challengers” (in the original – Challengers) directed by Luca Guadagnino took place. This is a sports drama whose characters find themselves in a love triangle. The film stars Zendaya, Mike Feist and Josh O’Connor. The acting work of this trio is praised the most by critics. According to them, the love triangle of the heroes sparkles

‘Challengers’ serves up Zendaya in a sexy triangle where love means nothing / CNN
from tension and sexual energy. We tell you why the “Challengers” are praised and criticized.

Many critics remained

Review: In the sexy, adrenalized ‘Challengers,’ tennis competitors don’t skimp on the foreplay / Los Angeles Times
delighted with the work of Zendaya, who appeared in the image of a demanding and cruel heroine. According to them words

‘Challengers’ Review: Luca Guadagnino and Zendaya Serve Up a Smart and Sexy Tennis Drama About Three Players in Search of the Perfect Match / indieWire
, the actress literally dominates this movie. The weak point was the scenes of tennis matches. In general, the media call Luca Guadagnino’s new work “fresh, exciting and energetic.”

“A graceful, sexy, extremely interesting love triangle. <...> It’s been a long time since we’ve had such intellectual entertainment as this.”

“Caught somewhere between a teen movie, a dysfunctional relationship drama and a snazzy sports extravaganza, Guadagnino’s The Contenders delivers a compelling, steamy tale of confused people trying to sort out their feelings.”

“The Contenders is one of those rare big-screen originals that confidently announces the arrival of a new generation of movie stars.”

“More than tennis or even sex, this is what The Challengers are really about: cold calculation and ruthless drive.”

“The purpose of The Contenders is to charm and entertain, excite and amuse. In this sense, it is a surprisingly sincere and uncynical film.”

“Zendaya is the dark center of the film, a woman whose desires and goals are sometimes a mystery even to herself. <...> The actress brought to her heroine a complex combination of sincere youth and mysterious frankness.”

“Zendaya is the driving force behind the film. This role cemented her status as a natural-born movie star. In the film, she moves with the determined ferocity of a warrior on the court and the fluid grace of a ballerina off it.”

According to the plot of the film, the outstanding tennis player Tasha is forced to end her triumphant career due to injury. She becomes the coach of her husband Art, who has had a streak of bad luck. Tasha decides to help him by offering to take part in the Challengers tournament. To do this, he will have to come face to face with Patrick, his former best friend and Tasha’s ex-boyfriend. Rivalry begins between the men both on and off the court.