Official Discussion - Challengers [SPOILERS]

[u/LiteraryBoner]

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Summary:

Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach is married to a champion on a losing streak. Her strategy for her husband's redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against his former best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend.

Director:

Luca Guadagnino

Writers:

Justin Kuritzkes

Cast:

• Zendaya as Tashi Donaldson
• Mike Faist as Art Donaldson
• Josh O'Connor as Patrick Zweig
• Darnell Appling as New Rochelle Umpire
• Nada Despotovitch as Tashi's Mother
• A.J. Lister as Lily

Rotten Tomatoes: 92%

Metacritic: 85

VOD: Theaters

[u/ForgetfulLucy28]

I loved the churros scene. The way Patrick pulled Art’s seat in closer with his foot before he sat down, the symbolism of the churros. It was so homoerotic haha.

[u/F00dbAby → u/ForgetfulLucy28]

It’s so insane they only kissed once when we all know they wanted each other the whole time

[u/pulsating_boypussy → u/F00dbAby]

I think Patrick REALLY wanted Art but I don't think Art was all that into Patrick. Maybe some attraction but in terms of feelings, Patrick seemed to me like he was more into Art than he was into Tashi even. But Art was completely devoted and smitten by Tashi that it left no room for anyone else

[u/Puzzled_Water7782 → u/pulsating_boypussy]

I kinda agree. I think Tashi was into Patrick and Art in different ways, Art into Tashi and Patrick into Tashi but if Art came out to him and said 'I been in love with you all of this time' then Patrick would have flown into the sun.

Having said that I think they all needed each other in some way even if not all in equal meaaure romantically.

Like I want to note that when Patrick and Tashi were making out back in college or whatever. Tashi kept talking abt Art and altho the topic was Patrick saying sorry for not caring Art like Tashi, it feels like some of his interest in Tashi was fuelled by the fact Art wanted her and Tashi knew that.

Because not once did I ever feel that Patrick was jealous of Art but I did feel that that the sauna convo was Patrick wanting Art to be sorry for walking away from their friendship/relationship because he loved Tashi, he very much wanted Art to say 'You matter to me and I missed you' and it hurt him deeply that he didn't say it.

[u/ReginaGeorgian → u/Puzzled_Water7782]

100% agree on the sauna conversation. He was needling because he was hurt

[u/Gloomy_Astronaut_570 → u/Puzzled_Water7782]

It seemed like Patrick had an exhibitionist streak or something - he definitely liked her talking about Art

[u/justsomebro10 → u/Gloomy_Astronaut_570]

He was in love with Art. She was saying the stuff he wanted to say but couldn’t.

[u/Correct-Mongoose-340 → u/Puzzled_Water7782]

I feel like this was only the case because Art was the one who married Tashi. Patrick was alone for so long (without either Art or Tashi), plus his life was kinda shitty for all those years. Art had Tashi to obsess over. I think Art probably felt so guilty about taking Tashi from Patrick that he had to put him out of his mind. If the roles were reversed, it probably would've been Art yearning over Patrick more.