C-Nonqueer Romance: CHALLENGERS (2024)

I finally got to see Zendaya in action. Wow. Is she always like that? The whole cast is immensely talented. The writing is superb (shoutout to Justin Kuritzkes, your characters development is a masterclass), and the camera work is hilarious.

The "queer" romance starting with a C that was next on my list was CHALLENGERS (2024). I don't know why I was told it qualified as queer. I'm thinking about requalifying as bo-- non-queer so the next one can start with D and actually be a queer romance.

CHALLENGERS is a film about a decade-long love triangle between tennis stars. Two best friends finishing high school instantly develop a crush on a young woman portrayed by Zendaya. "Aren't you everyone's type?" one of them asks. I don't know. Is she?

What troubled me throughout the entire film was: "These can't be the same actors, can they?" while looking at the literal teenagers who steal half the scenes. Turns out they're the same actors who are supposed to be pushing 40 in the other half. HOW?! I kept wondering, "Is this AI?" because hair and makeup can only take you so far.

The director, Luca Guadagnino, also directed my favorite movie, an actual queer romance that starts with a C: CALL ME BY YOUR NAME. Heard of it?

I still don't know what his signature style is. Every time i watch one of his films, it feels like he's exploring a new style

Up next: a queer romance that starts with D, a non-queer one that starts with D, a biopic that starts with E