'Challengers' Has Had A Mixed Reception, But We Finally Rented Zendaya’s Movie And There's A Reason It's Our Favorite Movie Of The Year (So Far)

Throughout the last few years Zendaya has become one of the most bankable celebrities in the business. While this is partly thanks to her Emmy-winning performance in Euphoria, she's also starred in major movies like "Dune" and Tom Holland's "Spider-Man" trilogy. Her most recent release was Luca Guadagnino's "Challengers," which was a racy love triangle film about tennis players. I finally rented the movie, and while its reception was mixed we think "Challengers" is our favorite movie of the year. Namely because of how pitch perfect its pacing and finale are.

Prior to its release, what we knew about "Challengers" was definitely enough to get butts in seats. After all, the "Challengers" trailer teased some of the steamy scenes that would make it into the theatrical cut. But after finally renting it on Amazon, the movie is so much more than that. It truly feels like every frame of the movie is purposeful in telling the story of its three protagonists, which builds until the movie's killer ending. And despite it being late when I streamed the movie, I ended it wide awake from being so enthralled throughout its 131-minute runtime.