Joey Magidson
Tennis is hard to depict on screen. So, when writer Justin Kuritzkes opted to make Challengers, he was certainly not giving himself an easy task. He also didn’t set out to make one of the sexiest films ever made, but he and director Luca Guadagnino sure did. It just speaks to the specific vision that Kuritzkes had for that story. As soon as I saw the movie I knew that I needed to chat with him. We recently set that up and today, with the flick about to hit theaters, I present our discussion to you all.
In my rave review (found here) of the movie, I spoke of the filmmaking like so:
Director Luca Guadagnino and writer Justin Kuritzkes combine to make this flick an absolute blast. Guadagnino and Kuritzkes are very much on the same page. The former lets loose more than we’ve ever seen from him behind the camera, though always with a sense of style. The same goes for cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom as well as composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. In fact, this is an upper echelon score from Reznor and Ross. As for Kuritzkes’ script, it focuses so well on this trio that you’d follow them anywhere. The sexiness, the humor, and the ultimate resolution, it’s all handled damn near perfectly.
Below, you can hear my conversation with Kuritzkes. We talk a lot about tennis and the script itself, but also just about experiencing this film coming together. Imagine writing it, actually getting it set up, and then seeing it performed by Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor? It’s quite the experience to even consider let alone have happen to you. Challengers is one of the best movies of the year and Kuritzkes is a big reason why. Don’t you dare miss this one, as it’s an experience that literally anyone can find pleasure in.
Here now is my interview with Challengers screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes. Enjoy:
Challengers is in theaters this weekend!
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