Game, Sex, Match: Zendaya Takes on the Tennis World with Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor in the Trailer for ‘Challengers’

A steamy love triangle between Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist. I like it, like it, come on!

MGM has released the first look at director Luca Guadagnino’s latest feature film, and it didn’t disappoint as it looks to be an early candidate for the sexiest movie of the year. Challengers centers around Tashi (Zendaya, Dune), a former tennis prodigy, who is a force of nature both on and off the court, but has turned to coaching as her career was cut short due to injury. As a coach, she trains Art (Faist, West Side Story), her husband who is on a serious losing streak. Hoping Art’s luck can turn around, Tashi’s strategy is foiled when Art must face off against the washed-up Patrick (O’Connor, The Crown) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend.

As we see in the trailer, the three have a deep connection stemming back to the beginning of their careers, leading to what can only be an epic emotional confrontation by the end of the film. Mixed in the trailer is a pitch perfect needle drop of Rihanna’s hit S&M, centering on Zendaya’s Tashi and how she is going to take on both of these men in her life. This is Guadanino’s follow-up to his cannibal love story from last year Bones and All, which was one of the best-reviewed films of the year. Guadanino directs from a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes and is produced by Guadagnino, Zendaya, Amy Pascal, and Rachel O’Connor.

MGM will release Challengers on September 15 only in theaters. Here is the trailer.

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Ryan McQuade

Ryan McQuade is the AwardsWatch Executive Editor and a film-obsessed writer in San Antonio, Texas. Raised on musicals, westerns, and James Bond, his taste in cinema is extremely versatile. He’s extremely fond of independent releases and director’s passion projects. Engrossed with all things Oscars, he hosts the AwardsWatch Podcast. He also is co-host of the Director Watch podcast. When he’s not watching movies, he’s rooting on all his favorite sports teams, including his beloved Texas Longhorns. You can follow him on Twitter at @ryanmcquade77.

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