While Luca Guadagnino prepares to captivate the world with the Oscar-buzz surrounding “Queer,” we still can’t get over “Challengers”. This is evident in its soaring viewership on Prime Video, where it quickly claimed the top spot on the U.S. charts within hours of release.
At first glance, it seems like a simple tennis movie, but it’s so much more. At its core, “Challengers” tells the story of two best friends and the girl they both loved in their youth, and how their relationships evolve over time. What was once a close bond between friends takes a darker turn, creating solid complications.
Yet, it’s not just the romantic drama that stands out. The tennis scenes themselves are gripping, evoking the intensity of a tournament final, like Roland Garros, even though the picture is set in the lower-stakes world of the Challengers tour, as its title suggests.
‘Challengers’ is the most-watched movie on Prime Video US
“Challengers” has emerged as one of the most talked-about films of the year, and its debut on Prime Video solidifies its status. In under a day, the movie became the most-watched title in the United States, according to FlixPatrol.
With its impressive viewership, it easily dethroned “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” and “Transformers,” both of which had held strong positions in the rankings for weeks. Currently, its only competition is “The Beekeeper,” another standout picture the platform.
The production centers on Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach. After a career-ending injury, she shifts her focus to guiding her husband, Art, a professional tennis player. Complications arise when Art faces off against Patrick, Tashi’s ex-boyfriend and former tennis rival, in a high-stakes match at a prestigious tournament. As the past resurfaces, tensions mount both on and off the court, blurring the lines between love, ambition, and competition.
The narrative weaves back and forth between the present and flashbacks to the trio’s younger selves, highlighting moments when they believed their bonds would last forever—especially the complex relationship between Art and Patrick.
As widely noted, the cast features Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor, who deliver some of the most outstanding performances of their careers. Their chemistry is palpable, making it seem as though they were born to embody these characters.