'Challengers' Trailer Showcases Zendaya as a Rising Tennis Star Amidst a Love Triangle in the latest from Luca Guadagnino

by Darian Scalamoni

    It's true that sports are a great niche to get butts in seats at the theaters. Pair that with a romance angle, let alone a spicy one in the world of tennis amidst a love triangle and you very well may be selling more tickets than you would think on paper.

    Enter the first trailer for Challengers, a romantic drama that follows Zendaya (Euphoria, Spider-Man: No Way Home) as rising young tennis star Tashi Duncan. She is at the height of her power in the sports world, conquering athletics, fashion and the eye of many young suitors. Two of those suitors are fellow teenage tennis players, Art (Mike Faist) and Patrick (Josh O'Connor). One night, they engage in some sexual activity and then we fast forward years later in which Art and Patrick are no longer friends fighting over Tashi's affection but taking it out on the tennis court for a Grand Slam championship.

    I was very excited when this film was first announced, and the trailer definitely lives up to the hype. Zendaya commands the screen in what seems to be another great step in her journey to stardom. Faist is best known for his breakout turn in 2021's West Side Story and this seems to be a showcase for his acting abilities as well. Josh O'Connor has tons of projects lined up with Challengers being the first of his upcoming slate.

    Check out the first trailer for Challengers below! The film stars Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor and is directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name, Suspiria). Challengers hits theaters on September 15.