Zendaya has once again captivated audiences and critics alike with her magnetic performance in the new romantic sports drama Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino. Released nationwide on April 26, the film marks a bold shift in tone for the Euphoria star as she plays Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach, entangled in a complex web of rivalry, romance, and ambition.
Set against the high-stakes world of professional tennis, Challengers explores the emotional intensity of love and competition. Zendaya’s character coaches her husband, played by Mike Faist (West Side Story), through a minor league tennis tournament where he unexpectedly faces off against his former best friend (and her ex-boyfriend), played by Josh O’Connor (The Crown). The layered narrative and slick visual style have earned praise for turning what could have been a cliché love triangle into a deeply human and stylish tale of passion, power, and past regrets.
Critics are already calling it one of Zendaya’s most mature and nuanced roles to date. The New York Times described her performance as “hypnotic,” noting how she “commands the screen with a confidence that’s impossible to ignore.” Director Guadagnino, known for Call Me by Your Name, brings his signature aesthetic flair, blending sensual tension with sharp dialogue and elegant camerawork.
Aside from the film’s performances, its score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (the Oscar-winning duo behind The Social Network) pulses with energy, infusing each match and emotional breakdown with cinematic electricity. Audiences have responded with standing ovations at early screenings, and awards buzz is already swirling.
With Challengers, Zendaya cements her place as one of Hollywood’s most dynamic leading women, proving she’s not just a star — she’s a force.