As a seasoned tennis enthusiast and avid film critic, I must say that “Challengers” has left quite an indelible mark on me. Having spent countless hours on the court myself, I can deeply relate to the passion and dedication these characters exhibit towards their sport.
As someone who’s eagerly anticipating Zendaya’s films, “Challengers” was high on my list of must-see movies for 2024. However, being a movie about tennis, I wasn’t sure if it would appeal to me, given my aversion to love triangles in stories. But “Challengers” presents an unconventional love triangle that steers clear of the usual formula, offering instead a more intricate plot
The movie primarily revolves around a central love triangle, and without it, the story wouldn’t fully unfold. This intricate relationship significantly influences characters like Tashi (Zendaya), Patrick (Josh O’Connor), and Art (Mike Faist). Among the film’s aspects, this love triangle is what captivated me the most
Warning: Challengers spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.
The Challengers Love Triangle Never Seemed Based In Love
Love triangles typically depict two individuals who both have romantic feelings for the same person, leaving that individual to make a choice. However, the term “Challengers” does not convey a traditional love triangle narrative between three people; instead, it seems more about two men vying for some form of influence or position over the woman
In my opinion, Art seems to have romantic feelings towards Tashi, yet I’m unsure if she feels the same way. A moment occurs where he expresses his love for her, and she simply acknowledges it. This moment highlights Tashi’s emotional detachment but also suggests that Art’s allure lies in his intense infatuation with her. On another occasion, Patrick mentions that Tashi desires a fan club member, and Art fits this role, whereas Patrick does not
As a dedicated gamer, I find myself drawn into an intriguing narrative involving three characters: Patrick, Tashi, and Art. Their relationships aren’t typical by any means. I can sense Patrick’s feelings for Tashi, but they don’t align with conventional definitions of love. Instead, it seems more like a unique bond he has cultivated
Among the three characters, Art’s affection for Tashi gives him a particularly relatable and compassionate vibe. Moreover, it underscores his connection to the real world. If given the chance, Art could comfortably settle down with Tashi in marital harmony, enjoying a contented life together. However, such a simple life wouldn’t satisfy Tashi or Patrick
Because he was so dedicated to pursuing their shared dream, he was prepared to sacrifice his tennis career. Regardless of the challenges they faced, Patrick and Tashi remained determined to achieve this goal. It’s also plausible that Art is the one who might experience love among them, given his more human-like nature. He didn’t seem consumed by tennis like the others, which made him appear less ambitious in their eyes. Yet, despite their own shortcomings and imperfections, Patrick and Tashi looked down on him
It appears she recognizes his worth solely when he triumphs or competes. Patrick finds pleasure in defeating him but doesn’t seem to acknowledge him as a formidable opponent on the court and within this love triangle. He also fails to show him the respect due even in upholding his marriage promises. Yet, that’s partially what makes the “Challengers” ending so intriguing
Art emerges triumphant, sparking joy in Tashi and Patrick. However, a betrayal has come to light, which could jeopardize both friendships, despite the celebratory hug they shared. The hug signifies a renewed camaraderie between Art and Patrick as rivals or partners, but it doesn’t guarantee that all their disagreements have been resolved. This match surpasses their minor squabbles; in this instance, it looms larger than the temporary love triangle
It Was All About The Battle From The Start
Patrick and Art frequently engage in an unspoken competition over Tashi’s affections. They vie for her attention, initially on the sports court for her phone number, and later throughout their relationship. Initially, Patrick secures her number and they begin dating, but Art gains an advantage when he supports her during a leg injury. For years, Art remains in the lead due to their marriage and family, yet Patrick occasionally regains ground through their occasional affair
In their interactions with Tashi, it often appears that they are competing to be preferred by her, viewing her more as a symbol of their superiority than an individual. They value having her not just for who she is, but for what being with her represents. Their tennis matches reflect this dynamic, where they strive to outdo each other by amassing more trophies. Regrettably, Tashi can be seen as yet another trophy in their collection. However, the truth may become apparent that Tashi was never truly won over; rather, she was the one who held sway over them, pushing both men to excel on and off the court
Tennis Was All Of Their True Love In Challengers
It appears that art didn’t hold the same deep affection for tennis as Patrick and Tashi do. Instead, they’ve allowed the sport to define them completely. One might wonder who they would be without it, particularly Tashi, whose passion for tennis seems to have been fueled by the disappointment of her injury. Meanwhile, Patrick abandoned a comfortable lifestyle in pursuit of his dream in tennis. He was willing to put aside his pride and do whatever was necessary to compete
Due to their deep-seated passion for tennis, they have ascended to elite performers. At first, Art appeared more interested in tennis, yet he didn’t let it dominate his existence until Tashi influenced him to do so. However, the story seems to depict a renewal of Art’s affection for the sport. It’s possible that tennis could become his ultimate love, which might help him overcome any emotional turmoil related to the affair. While I can’t confirm if the embrace symbolizes a rekindling of Patrick and Art’s personal relationship, it undeniably signifies their reunion as formidable competitors on the tennis court
It Wasn’t A Straight Forward Love Triangle
As a devoted viewer, I found “Challengers” to be an intriguingly ambiguous film. There’s a palpable, unspoken connection between Patrick and Art that feels like something more than friendship, yet it’s never explicitly stated. The movie features a kiss between them, but the lack of overt romantic expressions is offset by subtle hints throughout
In simpler terms, Josh O’Connor refers to the characters as “flexible,” and this term seems fitting for the character Patrick. A scene where Patrick and Art unintentionally kiss suggests a queer moment in the story. Later, there’s a scene showing Patrick swiping through potential partners on a dating app, and surprisingly, a man appears among the profiles. Typically, you only see matches of the preferred gender on dating apps. This suggests that Patrick might have romantic interests towards men, in addition to women
Additionally, Patrick occasionally seems to gaze at Art as if he harbors deep affection for him. It’s not only Tashi who has two suitors; it appears that both men may have feelings for each other. The narrative could be interpreted as them being in love with one another or, at the very least, Patrick having feelings for Art. Some viewers might even interpret the ending as a choice between each other instead of Tashi. While my personal interpretation differs, there is a convincing argument that supports this perspective on their relationship
Art’s Final Win Also Ties Into The Love Triangle
In the end, it became clear that their petty dispute about Tashi wasn’t truly significant. What truly mattered was their shared passion for tennis. Patrick sparked Art’s competitive spirit by engaging with his wife, leading to a heated match. In the end, Art emerged victorious, and they embraced warmly as Tashi reveled in the moment
As a gamer, Tashi has always been a rival and motivator, pushing me harder while creating a chasm between us. Her role in my life is to ignite competition, whether on the court or off it. Some might imagine we’d live harmoniously as a trio, but I never saw that scenario becoming reality. Given Tashi’s unique nature, she was never meant for shared ownership. Instead, we both competed for her affection, a battle that seemed eternal. This contest, however, may have been the key to ending that struggle. Neither of us won her love, but in this game, we both lost her – and maybe found each other again
Stream Challengers on MGM+.
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2024-09-06 00:11