Movies to Watch This Spring: From “Challengers” to “The Idea of You”
The summer of 2023 is pretty hard to beat in terms of new movies, especially ones that span across such an array of genres. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie essentially formed a genre of its own, combining comedy and feminism, while also paying homage to classic films. Oppenheimer, its rival, managed to tell the story of the atomic bomb in such a universal way that it drew multiple audiences. Familiar franchises like Indiana Jones and Mission: Impossible returned to the big screen, and No Hard Feelings took a stab at bringing back the raunchy comedy that carries nostalgia for so many. Interestingly enough, however, in 2024, spring appears to be bringing some of the most compelling films yet. Here are some movies to check out if you haven’t already:
Challengers
It is safe to say that every time Zendaya comes out with a new project, Gen Z is all over it. Her newest movie, Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino, which also stars Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, is no exception. In the movie, Zendaya portrays former tennis pro Tashi Duncan, who has since gone on to coach her husband, Art Donaldson (played by Mike Faist), a Grand Slam champion who has been suffering a recent losing streak. Tashi decides to have Art compete in a challenger tournament, in which low-level professionals play against injured higher-ranking players, in hopes that it will reinvigorate his game. When Tashi and Art arrive at the tournament, they run into Patrick (played by Josh O’Connor), a former flame of Tashi’s and Art’s ex-best friend, and tension between the three characters starts to arise. From the press tour alone, it is clear that the trio has tons of chemistry both on-screen and in real life, so viewers are in for a treat.
The Idea of You
Similar to Zendaya, Anne Hathaway might be one of the most well-received actors in Hollywood, and her new movie is a refreshing new project of hers. Based on Robinne Lee’s bestselling novel, The Idea of You tells the story of Solène Marchand (Anne Hathaway), a 40-year-old woman who falls in love with the 24-year-old lead singer of a boyband (played by Nicholas Galitzine). While audiences have questioned the significant age gap between the characters, Hathaway and Galitzine have spoken to how their relationship is meant to center on female happiness and romantic pleasure, which Hollywood has typically steered away from in its depictions of romantic relationships. It’s also great to see Hathaway back in a romantic comedy, this time with the confidence and joy that comes with age, as she steps away from her more youthful, naive characters. Plus, the movie is set against the fun backdrop of Coachella and the Los Angeles area, promising the summery feel we are all longing for.
The Fall Guy
It’s hard to imagine Ryan Gosling playing anyone else after he launched a worldwide obsession with Ken, but his newest movie The Fall Guy only seems to be reaffirming the love audiences already feel for him. In The Fall Guy, Gosling plays former stuntman Colt Seavers whose career came crashing down due to an injury sustained by a stunt gone wrong. However, when his former love interest-turned-director mistakenly hires him for her new movie, Colt is determined to help her achieve her goals and win her back after their falling out. Director David Leitch, a former stunt double himself, made the movie to honor the work that goes into being a stunt person and to shed light on a role that is often overlooked in films. While the plot of the movie itself could not be more bizarre, it owes its success to Gosling’s irresistible charisma and Emily Blunt’s sheer loveliness.
With so many beloved actors coming out with new projects this spring, there is so much to choose from when deciding what to watch. Hopefully, 2024 can be another exciting year for the cinema and keep audiences coming back for more.
