Zendaya fronts Little White Lies’ Challengers issue

Through a series of fraught back-channel negotiations, the Huck Digital Editor Ben Smoke has reluctantly allowed me this platform to succinctly talk to you about another fine piece of printed matter produced by Huck publishing house, TCO London. Little White Lies is a film magazine like no other, an opulent, illustrated shrine to cinema in which we celebrate what we feel to be the best movies and brightest stars. As such, we’re proud to present to you our box-fresh new issue on a new film by Luca Guadagino called Challengers, which stars Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist.

Now, we won’t beat around the bush in admitting that this is a very hot film, and its three leads have the kind of chemistry that’s definitely not available in high street chains. The story is set in the world of high-stakes modern tennis, but its focus is on an ever-shifting love triangle between the embittered manager (Zendaya’s Tashi), the lairy upstart (O’Connor’s Patrick) and the world-weary champ (Faist’s Art).

Inside the issue we have a juicy long-form interview with Guadagnino in which he goes into the subtle minutiae of his craft and how he transformed the boring iconography of TV tennis coverage into something dynamic and breathless. We also speak to the film’s three stars on the work they did together to achieve such nuclear-level hotness. We also had the chance to natter to screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes, who lists the many inspirations for the plot, including Andrei Agassi’s GOAT autobiography, ‘Open’.

The issue is packed with lavish visuals and aims to offer a unique cross-cut of the current cinema: everything you need to see right now. The Challengers issue is available here for preorder, so please buy it and please tell your friends about it too. Thanks all, and thanks Ben.

LWLies 102: The Challengers issue is out now.