Challengers (2024)

Challengers is a tennis drama and love triangle.

I knew the film was going to hit on LGBTQ themes just based on who the director was, Luca Guadagnino. You'll know him from Call Me By Your Name. There's nothing wrong with his editing and camera choices but I would have reshot some scenes with Zendaya.

Zendaya, despite the poster, is frowning pretty much the entire film. She's supposed to be a former tennis player, mother, and wife, but she acts like a spoiled brat. I don't believe the director intended her to be disliked at the beginning as the film makes her out to be the victim of circumstance and patriarchy.

Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor play the two men in the love triangle. It's not your traditional love triangle. They have a hard time selling being attracted to her but easily sell that they're attracted to each other.

The score was distracting and the writing was erotic fantasy with a super drawn-out ending. The film doesn't understand tennis and has a warped sense of modern-day dating. Result: D

Comments

F1: The Movie (2025)

F1: The Movie follows a veteran driver coming out of retirement to mentor a young rookie while trying to prove he still belongs on the track. Directed by Joseph Kosinski , known for Top Gun: Maverick and Tron: Legacy , the film is clean, polished, and loaded with style. But with Jerry Bruckheimer producing, it leans more into spectacle than subtlety. You can feel the Bruckheimer DNA in every dramatic slow-mo, thunderous soundtrack cue, and pit-lane explosion. That’s not a bad thing. It just feels more like his movie than Kosinski’s. Brad Pitt , fresh off Bullet Train and still riding the wave from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood , plays the aging driver with charm and edge. He’s believable behind the wheel and sells the physical and emotional wear of someone who’s spent too long chasing speed. It’s one of his more grounded roles in years, and he pulls it off without trying too hard. Damson Idris , known for Snowfall, of which I own the comic , plays the rookie and brings a mix of ...

K-Pop: Demon Hunters (2025)

K-Pop: Demon Hunters follows a girl group who balance battling demons by night with pop stardom by day, but the concept ends up more exhausting than exciting. Directed by first-time director Maggie Kang , best known for being in the art department for The Lego Ninjago Movie , the film leans hard into a hyper-stylized, neon-soaked aesthetic but forgets to bring anything fresh. The animation is polished, but the visual style feels borrowed from better films. The pacing drags even during the action scenes. It is more concerned with selling attitude than building stakes. Arden Cho , known for Teen Wolf and Partner Track , voices the group’s leader and brings charisma to the role, but the script doesn't give her much to work with. She has strong delivery and presence, but the character is more wish-fulfillment than fully realized. May Gong , in her first major role, fits the energy of the film and brings a youthful vibe. She holds her own in the group dynamic but is often sid...

M3GAN 2.0 (2025)

M3GAN 2.0 continues the story of the world’s most dangerously sassy AI doll, picking up after the first film's events with a new host, new threats, and a few more upgrades. Directed by Gerard Johnstone , returning from the original M3GAN , the film keeps the same sleek look and dark humor, but the energy isn’t quite the same. The scares are toned down, the satire feels more obvious, and the plot plays it safer this time. It’s still well paced and visually sharp, just not as punchy or fresh as before. Violet McGraw , reprising her role from the first film, shows a bit more range this time. She handles the trauma beats well and sells the emotional moments, even when the script leans a bit cheesy. She’s growing as an actress, and it shows. Allison Williams , best known for Get Out and Girls , returns and feels more like a supporting character this time. She’s fine, just not given much to do besides react to the new version of M3GAN and deliver exposition. Still, she’s a steady pr...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog