Good news for Zendaya: ‘Challengers’ comedy push could pay off at Golden Globes
When a film or TV show straddles genres, deciding if you’re a comedy, drama, or musical is a question of strategy as much as it is a question of artistry, though there’s a risk of backlash if your categorization strains credulity. Is “The Bear” really a comedy, for instance? Was “The Martian”? This year “Challengers,” about a heated love triangle on the tennis court, is one such film making a play for comedy consideration at the Golden Globes. And judging from our racetrack odds, the strategy could pay off.
As of this writing “Challengers” ranks among the top six likely nominees for Best Film Comedy/Musical, getting 20/1 odds based on the combined predictions of Gold Derby users who have been placing their bets here in our predictions center. Among those predicting that “Challengers” will be nominated for the top prize are five of the Expert journalists we’ve surveyed, seven Gold Derby Editors, four of our Top 24 Users, and 11 of our All-Star Top 24. Winning may be more challenging, so to speak, as the Golden Globe front-runner is the same as the current Oscar front-runner for Best Picture: “Anora.”
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Meanwhile, in the Best Film Comedy/Musical Actress race, Zendaya has cracked the top six with 16/1 odds. She has got six Experts betting on her nomination, as well as nine Editors, six of our Top 24, and 12 All-Stars. If we’re right, it would be the second Globe nomination for the actress, but her first for film. She previously won Best TV Drama Actress two years ago for her performance in HBO’s provocative teen series “Euphoria,” which has also won her two Emmys.
In other races that combine dramas, comedies, and musicals, “Challengers” is more of an underdog, but not totally out of the running. The original score is likely to be nominated, ranked sixth with 10/1 odds. Josh O’Connor is on the bubble for Best Film Supporting Actor, ranked eighth with 48/1 odds. And filmmaker Luca Guadagnino is a top-15 contender for Best Film Director. Perhaps we’re underestimating the film, which received raves from critics, but opened early in the year, often a disadvantage as fall films take over the discourse. So Golden Globe recognition could put “Challengers” back in the game.
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