Zendaya’s sexy new tennis film Challengers has captured fans with its delicious three-way chemistry – so here are seven more films to put on the watchlist.
The Luca Guadagnino-directed film follows tennis protégé Tashi (Zendaya) whose fateful encounter with best friends and tennis partners Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) and Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor) sparks an over-a-decade-long love triangle.
The film was released in cinemas on April 26 to critical success with many proclaiming that child star turned Hollywood icon Zendaya is well on her way to her first Oscar nomination.
The film delivers delicious tension and the fascinating dynamic lives and dies on the immaculate chemistry between our three main players as we uncover the constantly oscillating but ultimately undying bond the trio share.
One key scene in the film, which has since gone viral, depicts an intimate scene between Tashi, Patrick, and Art in the bedroom as they all vie for one another’s attention.
All this to say, there’s no doubt this is a relationship with three people at its beating heart.
But this ménage à trois is far from the first to make their splash in cinematic history. From happy-go-lucky love triangles to emotionally complicated throuples to married couples rocked by a third person, this list has it all.
So if you are looking for your next onscreen love triad to become far too emotionally invested in, read on.
Passages
Filmmaker Ira Sachs blew audiences away with his 2023 feature Passages which follows Tomas (Franz Rogowski), a man happily in love with his partner Martin (Ben Whishaw).
But when Tomas meets school teacher Agathe (Adele Exarchopolous), he soon embarks on a steamy and passionate affair. As both Martin and Agathe are swept up in Tomas’ whirlwind fantasies, both are forced to confront the cost of having Tomas in their life.
Passages is available to stream on Mubi.
Being John Malkovich
Charlie Kaufman’s turn-of-the-millenia comedy offers a truly unique take on not only the passion that can develop between three different people but also all the wild ways that can be manifested.
When failing puppeteer Craig (John Cusack) – stuck in a dead-end marriage with his animal-obsessed wife Lotte (Cameron Diaz) – takes up a job as a temp he meets his beguiling co-worker Maxine (Catherine Keener)… and a portal to the inside of Hollywood actor John Malkovich’s head.
What follows is a morally grey, of-its-time comedy as Maxine, Lotte, Craig and, by proxy, John Malkovich all soon become caught up in a scheming love triangle.
Being John Malkovich is available to stream on Apple TV.
Professor Marston and the Wonder Women
This 2017 film, starring Luke Evans, tells the true story behind the creation of iconic comic hero Wonder Woman during the 1940s. But what is masquerading as a real-life origin story is actually a tale of three lovers.
In order to understand American psychologist William Moulton Marston’s (Evans) muse we delve into the relationship between his wife Elizabeth Marston (Rebecca Hall) and mistress Olive Byrne (Bella Heathcote).
Filled with yearning, romance and enough sexual tension to fill a room, this under-the-radar biographical film retells a true story with a three-way romance front and centre.
Professor Marston and the Wonder Women is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Splendor
Splendor is a 1999 rom-com that packs a delightful punch. When Veronica (Kathleen Robertson), a single gal in her 20s, decides to get back on the dating scene she soon falls for two opposite guys: writer Abel (Jonathan Schaech) and drummer Zed (Matt Keeslar).
After Veronica decides to introduce the two to each other, all three strike up an unconventional relationship that soon spirals out of control.
Splendor is available to stream on Mubi.
My Policeman
Based on the acclaimed novel by Bethan Roberts, My Policeman is set in 1950s England and follows the seemingly idyllic marriage between Tom (Harry Styles) and schoolteacher Marion (Emma Corrin).
When the couple meet curator Patrick (David Dawson), Tom initiates a forbidden affair behind Marion’s back. Decades later, all three must reckon with the past and their enduring love for one another.
My Policeman is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Jules et Jim
Taking us all the way back to the 1960s, François Truffaut’s classic film Jules et Jim follows the love triangle between the flighty Catherine (Jeanne Moreau), Austrian biologist Jules (Oskar Werner) and Parisian writer Jim (Henri Serre).
When the trio are brought together, they set up a happy life with one another until tensions begin to brew and Catherine finds herself torn between her two lovers.
Although there are definitely more light-hearted moments, this is definitely a darker tale.
Jules et Jim is available to stream on BFI Player.
Past Lives
Last, but certainly not least, no Challengers-inspired move list would be complete without Celine Song’s breakout feature, Past Lives.
The Oscar-nominated film follows Nora (Greta Lee) whose family emigrated from South Korea forcing her to leave behind her childhood sweetheart Hae Sung (Teo Yoo).
Now an adult, and married to an American guy called Arthur (John Magaro), Nora reconnects with Hae and reflects on all the could-have-been. Not only is this a bittersweet story of what it means to love two people at once but Song’s husband Justin Kuritzkes is the screenwriter for Challengers. A sure sign to watch.
Past Lives is available to stream on Netflix.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : 80s movie star unrecognisable in rare sighting after vanishing from spotlight
MORE : 80s porn film finally solves mystery that has been baffling the internet
MORE : Music legend’s daughter, 12, makes surprise movie debut in The Lion King prequel
Share this with