Spoiler-Free Review of “Challengers” in Theaters: Saucy and Stylish!

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“It’s about winning…”

Challengers released in theaters on April 26th 2024. The romantic sports drama film stars Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor. It runs for approximately two hours and ten minutes.

Tashi, a former tennis player, tries to help her husband break his losing streak by signing him up for a challenger event, but when his opponent ends of being his former best friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend, tensions run high.

Here is the trailer:

Challengers is an intimate and intense watch that explores the drive to win and its impact on relationships. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios

All hail, Zendaya!

She was PERFECTION in this role. I loved how well she portrayed so many different layers. Her character had her own issues to work out, but she stayed strong with an empowering confidence that was so fantastic to watch on screen. I’ve always like Zendaya, but she showed off so much range in this film. Talk about committing to a character…

Wow…she honestly took my breath away!

Images courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios

A gripping competition boosted by authentic character relationships.

I wouldn’t say that I’m the biggest tennis fan and I was a little hesitant to watch this movie at first because of that. Well, you don’t have to be a sports fan at all to feel the intensity in this one. Every moment was filled to the brim with it.

I loved the character relationships here and it was interesting seeing how they started and progressed over the years, making the challenger event that much more satisfying. Even though I’ve seen my fair share of love triangles before, these relationships felt very organic. They were rooted in something very relatable, which was refreshing to see.

The soundtrack complimented the vibe of this film so well.

I really dug the music used and thought it worked seamlessly with the way this film was shot. As much as this film embraced its intimate side, there was something very stylish and visually stunning about each scene, which made me savor each moment that much more.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios

The time jumps were distracting at times.

This wasn’t a major con because I actually thought both timelines were so interesting. My only issue was that I’d get really invested in one timeline and then have to re-focus when we jumped to the other. The movie was on the longer side, but I don’t think they dragged things out too much.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios

I’m in!!!

Challengers is a satisfying film that successfully blends several genres together, elevated by an electric performance by Zendaya.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Challengers in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

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A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now! I hope you enjoy!

READ IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Panic” on Prime Video: Let the Game Begin

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Every small town has a secret…ours has a game.”

Panic premiered on Amazon Prime Video on May 28th 2021 with ten episodes available to stream now. The series stars Olivia Welch, Ray Nicholson, Jessica Sula, Mike Faist, and Camron Jones. Each episode runs for approximately 40-45 minutes. 

After graduating from high school in a small Texas town, the seniors compete in a secret dangerous game to score a chance at a competitive cash prize that will grant them an escape from their boring lives. The series is based on the book of the same name by Lauren Oliver.

Here is the trailer:

Panic may initially appear to be a standard YA series filled with tropes and drama, but the show manages to hook its audience with the very first episode, reeling us in for more and more as the clever plot reveals the secrets and mysteries behind the game. Is Panic worthy of your next binge-watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Panic Spoiler Free Review 1

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Draws you in with adrenaline filled episodes.

This show was very effective at maintaining a fast pace even with some of the drama and set-up sprinkled in. I was invested from the start and by the time we got to the explosive end of the first episode, I needed to know what happened next and this continued to happen with the remaining episodes.

The episodes are only about 45 minutes in length but I often felt like I was only watching for five minutes because I was so drawn in. 

Addicting premise with characters to root for.

The game itself is actually really interesting and intense. I found myself playing along with the characters, but it also helped to have really interesting characters to root for. I thought that each character had a lot to offer, but Heather, Ray, and Natalie were my favorites and I wanted each of them to succeed for different reasons.

The Cons:

Panic Spoiler Free Review 2

Images courtesy of Prime Video

Predictable teenage drama.

This is a YA series and we do get quite a lot of teen drama sprinkled into the mix. There is the obvious love triangle, the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, the girl who is trying to do right by her family, and the supportive best friend. There was nothing truly unique or extraordinary here, but I kind of dug some of the drama and it wasn’t enough to overshadow everything else going on.

Also, it seemed like the cops were just really dumb in this show. It’s a small town so it shouldn’t be this hard to crack the case, but as long as you go into this show expecting to see some tropes and unrealistic moments, you will still be highly entertained.

So am I in or out?

Panic Spoiler Free Review 3

Images courtesy of Prime Video

I’m in 100 percent!

I went into this show thinking I was going to get a watered down version of The Hunger Games and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I became obsessed with this show. This show is absolutely worthy of your next binge-watch and I think that Prime Video is really stepping up its game with YA thrillers. After the success of The Wilds, I am hoping that people will enjoy Panic also because I would love to see a second season…especially after that ending!

This show was so entertaining and really addicting. If you’re looking for a fast paced show with lots of twists and reveals, you are in the right place. 

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Panic in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

Scream Hunt Coming Soon

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My new young adult horror thriller comes out October 7th 2021! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

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