Challengersisn’t a typical sport romantic drama. Often, a sports drama with romantic plots falls into the cheesy comedy category, or the film focuses so much on the sport that it’s almost unbearable to watch for people who aren’t into athletics. However,Challengersbreaks these recurring plot devices. The movie is about tennis, but it’s also about relationships on and off the court.
A solid cast, led bythe talented trio of Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist, lush cinematography, and solid direction by Luca Guadagino create an intense and intimate viewing experience. Fans ofChallengersmight think there aren’t too many others quite like it. However,a few movies have similar themes, fiery love triangles and, occasionally, sports drama in the mix.
10’Waves' (2019)
Directed by Trey Edward Shults
One ofthe best films of 2019,A24’sWavesis the story of an African American family living in the suburbs of Southern Florida. This family drama starsKelvin Harrsion Jr.as Tyler, a young teenager pursuing a wrestling scholarship and feeling immense pressure from his father to get a scholarship, causing their relationship to be tumultuous. A wrestling incident leaves Tyler injured, and he turns to painkillers. His mental health continues to decline as he finds out he might soon be a father.
Drew Daniels' cinematography inWaves,with its motion and closeness, is reminiscent of later scenes inChallengers. The film’s soundtrack byAtticus RossandTrent Reznor, who also did the soundtrack forChallengers, adds to the film’s powerful look into family dynamics and young love.The tragedy withinWavesis Shakespearean, but there is a sense of hope amidst the bleak and often relentless plot.
9’A Bigger Splash' (2015)
Directed by Luca Guadagnino
Another Luca Guadagnino film thatChallengersfans would love isA Bigger Splash, based on the Jacques Deray classicLa Piscine. Rockstar Marianne Lane (Tilda Swinton) and her lover, Paul De Smedt (Matthias Schoenaerts), arrive in Pantelleria for a much-needed vacation. However, their trip is ruined by the appearance of Marianne’s ex-lover, Harry Hawkes (Ralph Fiennes), and his daughter, Penelope “Pen” Lanier (Dakota Johnson). As the four spend time together, new relationships begin to form, and old ones start to shatter.
Guadagnino doesn’t shy away from echoing the same sensual energy here as he does inChallengers. There’s a love triangle as Harry and Paul compete for Marianne’s affection. However, Guadagnino thickens the plot between lovers by throwing in Pen, who is infatuated with Paul.A Bigger Splashis a psychological drama where viewers can feel the uncertainty of what is going to happen next vibrate through the screen. Fiennes is wild as Harry, which is a stark contrast to how Swinton plays Marianne. Pen is one ofDakota Johnson’s best roles, exuding a mysterious confidence.
A Bigger Splash
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8’Silver Linings Playbook' (2012)
Directed by David O. Russell
Silver Linings Playbookis probably one ofthe best romantic comedies of the 2010s.Bradley Cooperstars asPat Solatano, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and returns to his parent’s home hoping to get back with his wife despite a restraining order against him. He meets Tiffany Maxwell (Jennifer Lawrence). a grieving widow, and the two instantly connect. Tiffany makes a deal with Pat; she’ll reach out to his wife, but only if he becomes her dance partner for a competition.
Dancing and football, especially the Philadelphia Eagles, are big in the SilverLinings Playbook. But, likeChallengers,this film isn’t really about competition or sports in general; instead, it’s about cautiously falling in love.Silver Linings Playbookis a very serious, dark comedy about mental health and love. Pat and Tiffany aren’t in a big passionate romance; they slowly come to find their feelings for each other.
Silver Linings Playbook
Directed by Julian Jarrold
Brideshead Revisitedis adapted from Evelyn Waugh’s novel and features one of the most notorious love triangles in literature. In pre-World War II England, Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode), a young middle-class man, is fascinated by his classmate, Lord Sebastian Flyte (Ben Whishaw), whose family is very wealthy. Sebastian invites Charles to spend time at his family’s estate, known as Brideshead. There, Charles meets Lady Marchmain (Emma Thompson), the controlling and religious mother, and falls in love with Julia (Haley Atwell), one of Sebastian’s sisters, while also struggling with his feelings for Sebastian.
With World War II luring in the background,Brideshead Revisitedis already a story that is foreshadowed in tragedy.It’s a gripping love story and a worthy watch for anyone who likesChallengers.The love between Charles and Lord Sebastian is electric, and it’s sad to see them have to hide it. On the other hand, Julia and Charles' love is pretty fiery and adds a terse energy between Sebastian and Julia, as they both seek Charles to be their lover.
Brideshead Revisited
6’Vicky Cristina Barcelona' (2008)
Directed by Woody Allen
Vicky Cristina Barcelonasees best friends Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) spending their summer in Barcelona. Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) is a painter who whisks both women away for a short trip to Oviedo, where things get steamy between him and Cristina. The plot takes a more complicated turn as Cristina and Juan Antonio become a throuple with his ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penélope Cruz), a passionate woman with severe mental health issues.
Challengersfans will findVicky Cristina Barcelona’s love story twisting and intriguing.The film’s themes around the complexity of relationships are similar toChallengers. It’s a different kind of love drama, where viewers might not be too sure what direction is going in and whether everyone in the story will have a happy ending. That’s what makes this film so engaging is its willingness to embrace how love isn’t easy.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
5’Love & Basketball' (2000)
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood
Love & Basketballis an early 2000s romantic drama about two people with a passion for basketball. Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) grew up playing against each other in their backyards as kids. Years later, they are pursuing their dreams of becoming professional basketball players. However, their love starts to come between their ambitions, and they find themselves at a crossroads.
Quincy and Monica’s love story is beautiful; they love each other as much as they love basketball. There are certainly parallels between their relationship and Tashi and Art’s love inChallengers. Monica and Quincy are passionate about the same sport, and they want each other to be successful. Like Tashi, Monica is a strong female character, a go-getter who wants nothing more than to turn her dreams into reality.Love & Basketballis amongthe best movies about basketballand a thoughtful portrayal of love in the face of competition.
Love & Basketball
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4’Burning' (2018)
Directed by Lee Chang-dong
A jaw-dropping and poetic thriller,Burningfeatures the acting talents ofSteven Yeun,Jeon Jong-seo, andYoo Ah-in. Lee Jong-su ends up coincidentally meeting an old neighbor, Hae-mi. She asks him to watch her cat while on a trip to Africa. When she returns, she shows up with a “friend” named Ben (Steven Yeun). The three hang out briefly, and Jong-su doesn’t find out much about Ben other than he loves to burn down greenhouses.
Burningisn’t at all romantic, and there is a sense of uneasiness throughout. Hae-mi isn’t happy and is grasping to find meaning in her life. Ben just “plays,” while Jong-su just sees himself as a writer.Burningdoesn’t really define the relationships fully, giving a mysterious layer to their love. The film shows the more disturbing side of human relationships and how little a person might know of someone else, even if they are supposedly together.
3’Personal Best' (1982)
Directed by Robert Towne
Personal Bestdidn’t do too well at the box office at the time of its release, butit was received well by critics, becoming one of the most well-known lesbian films since its debut in 1982. Tory (Patrice Donnelly) and Chris (Mariel Hemingway) are lovers who run track and field, encouraging each other to do their best during training and practice. Even though they are lovers, Tory and Chris are still competitors, and their coach, Terry Tingloff (Scott Glenn), fears their relationship will get in the way of their careers.
Instead of the tennis court like inChallengers,the track and field becomes the stage for a love triangle. The heated interactions between Chris, Tory, and Coach Terry are almost like the ones between Art, Tashi, and Patrick inChallengers. The only difference is that Chris and Tory are a bit more supportive of each other’s ambitions to become the best in track and field.
2’Match Point' (2005)
Match Pointcenters on a love affair against an upper-class English backdrop. Chris (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) is a retired professional tennis player who is now an instructor for wealthy people. His world changes when he meets Chloe (Emily Mortimer), the sister of Tom, one of his rich students. Chris and Chloe get engaged, but he begins an affair with Tom’s fiancée, Nola (Scarlett Johansson). Soon, Chris becomes trapped in a web of lust, deceit, and ambition.
One ofthe best movies about tennis,Match Point’s biggest focus is on class, andfans know there is some commentary on wealth inChallengers, too. Set in a world of old money, connections, and influence,Match Point’s plot is all about the pursuit of wealth. Chris finds himself in a situation where he takes on the values of the wealthy, who can get away with whatever they want. The film asks how far a person is willing to go to keep their newfound comfort and what they’re willing to sacrifice.
Match Point
1’Jules and Jim' (1962)
Directed by François Truffaut
Jules and Jimis perhapsthelove triangle film of all time. The movie is framed bythe events of World War Iand follows Jules, a writer, and Jim as they become best friends over their mutual love of art. They meet Catherine, and the three quickly connect. Jules and Jim are attracted to Catherine, but the war pushes and tests their friendship and love for each other.
This is a classic love triangle film and a prime example of French New Wave romanticism.Challengersfans will appreciate how these two movies are almost mirror images of each other, even thoughJules and Jimdoesn’t have anything to do with sports.Jules and Jim’s premise is similar to the love triangle inChallengers.Both movies reflect on how friendships and love can evolve, especially when unpredictable obstacles get in the way.
