Zendaya and the Art of Subtlety

In this video essay, I analyze how Zendaya's brilliant, nuanced performance pulls together a wonderful scene in Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by Justin Kuritzkes. In doing so, I explain part of what I think Challengers as a whole is about. My interpretation is only partial, both because I personally have way more thoughts on this movie, and because interpretations of masterpieces can never be complete.

If you enjoyed this video, please like and subscribe for more, and comment your thoughts below along with anything you'd like to see me talk about in future videos.

[scorpioigor]

I always find it funny how every time a series or a movie blows up, there’s a specific scene from the climax that shows a character being emotional and people start losing their minds with the acting and saying that this actor should win an Oscar for that performance. It’s funny because it shows how little people know about acting. I’m an amateur actor and what I’ve learned over the years being on stage is that subtle acting is A LOT more difficult than being dramatic. Crying and screaming aren’t that difficult as people think. Showing depth during the quiet scenes is a lot more challenging and important to the development of the character. Take Miranda Presley in The Devil Wears Prada. Meryl Streep absolutely commands the audience with a performance that has no screaming, no crying fits, no dramatic outbursts. Miranda is a very calm and put together character, and Meryl knew how to make her absolutely terrifying with her eyes alone. That’s acting, and that’s a lot more difficult than raising your voice and being extra.

[rat-xx]

the way she dressed and acted made me actually think she was in college/a teen

[davidolp]

I love the idea of Tashi manifesting this acquired wisdom after winning, by allowing herself to feel relief. Great analysis!

[omega-edeo]

I think that was the best five minute video essay on film I’ve ever seen

[Justauri-asdfghjkl]

Zendaya is a force to be reckoned with. Shes is one of the few actors of our generation where I will watch something just because she's in it

[incessant-rain]

hey i just wanted to let you know this is one of the cleanest, most concise, and most striking analysis of a movie scene i’ve seen in a long while. i hope this blows up

[chloelea]

Absolutely loved your analysis of Zendaya’s work in this, really puts into words what I’ve been struggling to vocalise about why I’m obsessed with her acting choices.

[jols._.]

Your dissection of the scene at the beach was profound! It really resonates with me- those moments of clarity you find in your youth that you labour to access again after adulthood has made you more utilitarian and realistic. I hope we all get to experience the sublime feeling that you're articulating for the first time something deeply true about how you exist in the world, it's rare. Subbed!

[Minaminmin]

This is a very well articulated analysis on Tashi’s character and the meaning of the beach scene.

I loved how you highlighted Zendaya’s subtle acting because that aspect of her performance in Challengers is super underrated.

[kita]

Your analysis of the beach scene and Zendaya’s subtle acting in this scene is really well done and made me view this interaction between Tashi, Art, and Patrick in an entirely new light. Great video!

[yara]

In greek methology aphrodite is born between the land& sea, similar to how Zendaya is portraited, incredible scene.

[Skerchklife]

ooooh this was a great analysis! The last line tied the whole of Tashi's character together perfectly

[kraigbailey]

Where she 1st blew me away was in an ep of Euphoria where she’s in a Waffle House talking with her sponsor. Outstanding performances by both actors.

[lexis]

What makes Zendaya great is you think she really is doing these things. She is dating two guys, she is a tennis player, etc. Reminds of Denzel.

[FilmNerd]

I love Zendaya and Josh O'Connor they were really great, but the standout for me was Mike Faist. Bring so much, a subtlety to Art guy who felt like a shadow over Patrick.That probably made him jealous

[kristenjaneanderson]

Your thoughts this scene make me appreciate this movie even more. So insightful.

[hurrrmmhmmmhmghh]

it's the performance of the year, absolutely mindblowing

[princessofsongs]

Subscribed🩵

I thought this video was lovely and it was a great breakdown of her performance. Probably unpopular opinion but it is my favorite performance and character of her’s. I like how confident, determined, inquisitive, assertive, and unapologetic Tashi is. One of
my favorite moments in the film is when Patrick asks her “Are you sure this is what you want?” and she looks up at him as a he responds “What else could I want?” God. Her tone broke me. Tashi has a picturesque good life but in reality, she can’t have what she wants.

[selmatjn]

This channel is so underrated ❤❤❤❤I love your content keep going ❤️❤️

[witchplease]

Sending this video to the trolls that try to claim she can’t act. She’s a natural.