Challenges – Rivals: The Truth Behind the Controversial Threesome Scene

Actually, “Challengers – Rivals” (from April 25 in Evil) about tennis – but after the first trailer at most, the focus is almost exclusively on the love triangle in the new drama by Luca Guadagnino (“Call Me By Your Name”).

One scene in particular in the preview became the topic of conversation: lead actress Zendaya is sitting on a bed with her co-stars, giving each of them a kiss, then being kissed on the neck by both at the same time – and then lay on the mattress laughing. Almost everywhere the film was advertised only with pictures from this bed scene – again it became clear: “Sex sells”.

But anyone who goes to the cinema hoping to see a hot trio on the big screen is likely to be disappointed. Because the look with which “Challengers – Rivals” has been actively marketed is completely different than what you might expect…

+++ Warning: The following text for “Challengers – Rivals” +++ may contain spoilers

“Challenges” in the cinema: This is how the threesome scene really works

At the heart of the plot of “Challengers” is the former tennis talent Tashi (Zendaya). A serious knee injury forced her to give up her promising career at a young age. Since then, she has been working as a coach for her husband Art (Mike Fist), with whom she wins several Grand Slam tournaments.

But then Arthur will be in a slump. To restore his self-confidence, Tashi Art registers for the second level Challenger tournament. Indeed a safe bet – but suddenly Patrick (Josh O’Connor) appears on the list of partners. He and Arthur were once good friends before they both fell in love with Tashi. And before Tashi decided to marry Arthur, she dated Patrick for a while. In the midst of sporting ambition and pressure to perform, an old love triangle erupts again.

The ominous bed scene from the trailer takes place in the first third of the film. A flashback shows Tashi, Arthur and Patrick getting to know each other. Tashi is a renowned tennis gem; the two boys have been friends since childhood and play on their university’s tennis team. After a party, the three meet in a hotel room, where Tashi quickly realizes how much the two friends appreciate her.

And so the scene from the trailer comes to life. The three of them sit on the bed, Tashi kisses Arthur first, then Patrick – but then something happens that wasn’t shown in the preview.

The bed scene turns out differently than expected

Because Tashi suddenly pulls the faces of her two lovers towards her, so that the three kiss at the same time. After a few seconds, she breaks away, lies back on the mattress – the scene of her smile can be seen from the trailer – and watches as Arthur and Patrick, who are still caught in the rush of pleasure, just continues to kiss each other passionately and Tashi doesn’t pay any attention giving more.

Only when the young lady clears her throat do they break the kiss. Tashi gets out of bed and promises the boys that the winner of tomorrow’s tennis tournament will get their cell phone number. Then she leaves the room, leaving the boys stunned – and perhaps some of the viewers too. Few people probably expected this to happen.

Of course, when the film was rated FSK-12, no one expected explicit sex scenes or a lot of bare skin – even if there were a lot of naked or completely naked people walking through it. ​picture, in the scenes from the showers of the man. tennis players simply wrap their clothes around their waists with very little heel protection.

But the fact that the three-dimensional scene from the well-discussed trailer is not ended or shortened in the film, that could be very disappointing for some moviegoers.

However, one can only praise the marketing department of Warner Bros. – managed to build interest in “Challengers” with these carefully chosen scenes.

“Challengers – Rivals” opened in German cinemas on April 25, 2024. The film is for ages 12 and older and lasts 131 minutes.

The video was created with the kind support of CinemaxX. We produce our videos at CinemaxX Essen – we, the FUNKE media group, are solely responsible for the content.