“Challengers,” directed by the visionary Luca Guadagnino, features cross-cultural actor Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach.
Zendaya’s father in real life is African American of Nigerian ancestry and her mother is of German-Scottish ancestry.
Her character Tashi is a formidable force on and off the court, unapologetically driven in her pursuit of success. She is married to a champion on a losing streak, played by Mike Faist (known for “West Side Story”).
Tashi’s plan for her husband’s comeback takes an unexpected twist when he competes against Patrick (Josh O’Connor of “The Crown”), his former best friend and Duncan’s ex-boyfriend. As their intertwined pasts and volatile present clash, Duncan confronts the genuine cost of victory.
With a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes, “Challengers” promises an intense and dramatic exploration of ambition, rivalry and redemption in the high-stakes world of professional tennis.
“Challengers” is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.
Check out the trailer below.
(Featured Image credit: Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures)