From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, CHALLENGERS stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak, Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick — his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win. With Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist.

“The pleasures of “Challengers” are visceral, intuitive, at times animalistic. Despite the intricate structure, there’s nothing about it that announces, “I am an art film, and I will take you into the hidden recesses of the human heart and mind and leave you there to ponder the complexities of what you’ve just seen.” The tone is more like those great entertainments that starred Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall from the 1940s, where every line seemed dirty because of how the actors said it.” (RogerEbert.com)

“Challengers is about a love triangle, albeit an unconventional one. Best friends and tennis players Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) and Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor) are both in love with Tashi—but they’re also secretly in love with each other.  Director Guadagnino (‘Call Me By Your Name’), that master sensualist, films them in sync—both lanky and loose-limbed, slinging their giant tennis bags over their shoulders in unity.” (Baltimore Magazine)

Saturday, July 6
Doors 4:00 pm | Film 4:30 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Buy tickets in advance HERE

Saturday, July 13
Doors 3:50 pm | Film 4:20 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Buy tickets in advance HERE

Monday, July 15
Doors 8:15 pm | Film 8:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Buy tickets in advance HERE

CHALLENGERS (Luca Guadanigno | 2024 | 132 min | English | 14A) Tennis player turned coach Tashi has taken her husband, Art, and transformed him into a world-famous Grand Slam champion. To jolt him out of his recent losing streak, she signs him up for a “Challenger” event — close to the lowest level of pro tournament — where he finds himself standing across the net from his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend.

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*We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance at www.riotheatretickets.ca. If a screening or live event is not sold out, the remaining tickets will be available for in-person purchase at the Rio Theatre’s Box Office prior to showtime (subject to availability).
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