Challengers (Original Score)
film
ArtistTrent Reznor and Atticus Ross
CoverChallengers Soundtrack.png
ReleasedApril 26, 2024
GenreElectronic
Length40:50
LabelMilan
ProducerTrent Reznor · Atticus Ross
ChronologyTrent Reznor and Atticus Ross film score
Prev year2023
Next year2024

Challengers (Original Score) is the soundtrack album composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for the 2024 film Challengers by Luca Guadagnino. It was digitally released by Milan Records on April 26, 2024, the same day as the film's theatrical release in the United States.

Production

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross had previously worked with director Luca Guadagnino, scoring Guadagnino's 2022 film Bones and All.[1] Guadagnino approached the pair to score Challengers by sending them an email that read, "Do you want to be on my next film? It's going to be super sexxy [sic]."[2] Guadagnino wanted "very loud techno music" for the film,[3] taking inspiration from Berlin techno and '90s rave music.[2] The end result was intended to amplify the pace and high-stakes nature of the film.[4]

Critical reception

The score received widespread acclaim from critics. Ty Burr of The Washington Post called the soundtrack "one of [Reznor and Ross's] best to date."[5] Mireia Mullor of Digital Spy called the score "phenomenal",[6] while Robbie Collin of The Telegraph called it "counterintuitively perfect".[7] Max Weiss of Baltimore called the score a "standout", writing, "It's mostly fast-paced electronica, which disrupts and propels the action at unexpected moments. It has a freneticism with fuels the film."[8] The track "Challengers: Match Point" was featured on NPR's list of the 124 Best Songs of 2024, with critic Jacob Ganz calling it a "200 proof shot of adrenaline".[9]

Coleman Spilde of The Daily Beast wrote, "Such euphoric filmmaking is enhanced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' intoxicating, synth-heavy score, which asserts itself as an indispensable part of the film. In Challengers, the music acts as punctuation, both periods and ellipses."[10] Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that the score "[captures] the electric heartbeat of the movie."[11] Tim Grierson of Screen Daily wrote that "Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross [concocted] a techno-heavy score that lends the matches a dance-party urgency that is both witty and invigorating."[12]

Maureen Lee Lenker of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "[Reznor and Ross] craft a pulsating, synth-filled composition that ratchets up the tension until it's taut as the strings of a racquet. It's as if the U.S. Open decided to use sonic riffs from Miami Vice as a theme song. The electronic, staccato rhythm mimics the rapid back-and-forth of tennis while also catapulting us into a sound that is inherently sexy in the ways it evokes the hypnotic trance of a dance club."[13]

Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence wrote, "Propelling the on-court action is Reznor and Ross's score, bringing a level of bombast to the sports action that at times threatens to overwhelm the action, without ever actually proving distracting."[14] Angelica Jade Bastién of Vulture wrote that the score "lends the film a tense propulsion that the storytelling itself desperately lacks."[15] Caryn James of BBC wrote, "One of the best surprises turns out to be the soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, a propulsive techno score that does a lot of the work to keep the tennis scenes moving."[16]

Valerie Complex of Deadline wrote, "Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' score, typically a highlight, feels oddly juxtaposed against the film's visual and emotional landscape with its '80s synth-pop elements. At times, it enhances the scenes' emotional depth, but more often it distracts, undermining the subtlety of the performances and the intimacy of certain moments."[17]

Select year-end rankings for Challengers
PublicationListRankRef.
PasteThe 100 Best Albums of 202474[18]

Accolades

Challengers (Original Score) awards and nominations
AwardYear[a]CategoryRecipientsResult
Astra Creative Arts Awards2024Best Original ScoreTrent Reznor and Atticus Ross[19]
Best Original Song"Compress / Repress"
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards2024Best Original ScoreTrent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Critics' Choice Movie Awards2025Best Score[20]
Best Song"Compress / Repress"
Golden Globe Awards2025Best Original ScoreTrent Reznor and Atticus Ross[21]
Best Original Song"Compress / Repress"
Grammy Awards2025Best Score Soundtrack For Visual MediaTrent Reznor and Atticus Ross[22]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards2024Best Original Score in a Feature Film[23]
Best Original Song in a Feature Film"Compress / Repress"
iHeartRadio Music Awards2025Favorite SoundtrackTrent Reznor and Atticus Ross[24]
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards2024Best Music Score
NAACP Image Awards2025Outstanding Original Score for TV/Film[25]

Personnel

  • Trent Reznor – composer (tracks 1–12, 15–16), producer (tracks 1–12, 14–16), performer (tracks 1–12, 14–16)
  • Atticus Ross – composer (tracks 1–12, 15–16), producer (tracks 1–12, 14–16), performer (tracks 1–12, 14–16)
  • Benjamin Britten – composer (tracks 13–14), conductor (track 13)
  • Jacob Moreno – engineer (tracks 1–12, 14–16)
  • Randy Merrill – mastering (tracks 1–12, 14–16)
  • Mariqueen Maandig-Reznor – performer (track 16)

Charts

Chart performance for Challengers (Original Score)
Chart (2024)Peak
position

Release history

Release history and formats for Challengers (Original Score)
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
VariousApril 26, 2024Digital download · streamingMilan[26]
VariousNovember 1, 2024LP[27]

Challengers [Mixed]

Challengers [Mixed]
Remix album
ArtistTrent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Boys Noize
CoverChallengers Mixed.jpeg
ReleasedApril 12, 2024
GenreElectronic
Length28:13
LabelMilan
ProducerBoys Noize · Trent Reznor · Atticus Ross

Before the film and soundtrack's release, Reznor and Ross approached German producer Boys Noize about creating a remix album for the film's score. Initially, Boys Noize was hesitant about changing Reznor and Ross's original work too much, only making minor edits, but the pair encouraged him to be more experimental.[28] He had not seen the film or a trailer until the remix album was completed.[29]

The remix album was released on April 12, 2024, two weeks before the official soundtrack album was released.[30][31] For Record Store Day, 2,100 copies of the album were released on November 29, 2024.[32]

Reception

Paolo Ragusa of Consequence called the remix album "astounding" and wrote, "Dance music at its core is built from what came before; it is meant to be extracted and expanded, remixed and recontexualized. A film score is not usually the subject of such chopping and screwing, but if anyone was going to do it and absolutely nail it, it's Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Boys Noize."[33]

Track listing

Notes
  • All tracks are subtitled as "Mixed" in square brackets.

Notes

  1. ^ Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References

  1. ^ Strauss, Matthew (18 November 2022). "Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Release Score for Luca Guadagnino's New Movie Bones and All". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  2. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (19 April 2024). "Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Discuss Scoring Luca Guadagnino's 'Challengers' in Featurette: 'It's About the Excitement' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  3. ^ Baron, Zach (3 April 2024). "Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have a plan to soundtrack everything". British GQ. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  4. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (24 April 2024). "Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' 'Challengers' Score Brings a Sizzling, Sensual Element to Zendaya's Love Triangle". IndieWire. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  5. ^ Burr, Ty (23 April 2024). "In 'Challengers,' Zendaya's got major game". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  6. ^ Mullor, Mireia (26 April 2024). "Challengers is a sweaty, horny tennis drama that serves hard". Digital Spy. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  7. ^ Collin, Robbie (12 April 2024). "Challengers: Zendaya's tennis love triangle serves up racquet-twanging steaminess". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  8. ^ Weiss, Max (26 April 2024). "Movie Review: Challengers". Baltimore. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  9. ^ "124 Best Songs of 2024". NPR. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  10. ^ Spilde, Coleman (12 April 2024). "'Challengers' Is a Grand Slam of Sex and Sweat". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  11. ^ Roeper, Richard (24 April 2024). "'Challengers' as sexy as a tennis movie can be". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  12. ^ Grierson, Tim (12 April 2024). "'Challengers': Review". Screen Daily. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  13. ^ Lenker, Maureen Lee (12 April 2024). "'Challengers' serves up a grand slam of psychosexual passion and tension". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  14. ^ Miller, Liz Shannon (12 April 2024). "Challengers Review: Zendaya Stuns In Luca Guadagnino Drama". Consequence. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  15. ^ Bastién, Angelica Jade (22 April 2024). "Challengers Is Almost a Sexy Movie". Vulture. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  16. ^ James, Caryn (12 April 2024). "Challengers review: 'A lot of sport, a lot of wigs and a lot of sexual tension' in Luca Guadagnino's menage à tennis". BBC. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  17. ^ Complex, Valerie (12 April 2024). "'Challengers' Review: Luca Guadagnino's Zendaya-Led Dramedy About Love And Rivalry Across The Tennis Court". Deadline. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  18. ^ "The 100 Best Albums of 2024". Paste. December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  19. ^ Pond, Steve (25 November 2024). "'Wicked' Leads Nominations for Astra Film Awards". TheWrap. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  20. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly & Lewis, Hilary (8 February 2025). "Critics Choice: 'Anora' Wins Best Picture; 'Emilia Pérez,' 'Wicked' and 'The Substance' Take 3 Awards Each". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  21. ^ Lang, Brent & Moreau, Jordan (6 January 2025). "Golden Globes 2025 Winners: 'Emilia Pérez' Leads With 4 Wins; 'Shogun' Tops TV With 4". Variety. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  22. ^ Lewis, Hilary; Thomas, Carly; Nordyke, Kimberly (3 February 2025). "Grammy Awards: Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  23. ^ Grein, Paul (21 November 2024). "'Emilia Pérez' and Hans Zimmer Are Top Winners at 2024 Hollywood Music in Media Awards". Billboard. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  24. ^ Grein, Paul (22 January 2025). "Taylor Swift & Morgan Wallen Lead Nominees at 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, Where Eras Tour Will Be Named 'Tour of the Century'". Billboard. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  25. ^ Lewis, Hilary (7 January 2025). "NAACP Image Awards Nominations: 'The Piano Lesson' Leads Film Nods With 14". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  26. ^ Pilley, Max (26 April 2024). "'Challengers' soundtrack: artist info, tracklist and where to listen". NME. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  27. ^ Warner, Sam (9 September 2024). "Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' 'Challengers' score to be released on vinyl". NME. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  28. ^ Taylor, Drew (24 April 2024). "Boys Noize Shares the Inside Story of the Challengers Album". TheWrap. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  29. ^ Hess, Tobias (25 April 2024). "Boys Noize Spins Techno Tennis Tracks for 'Challengers'". Paper. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  30. ^ Strauss, Matthew (12 April 2024). "Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and Boys Noize Connect for New Challengers [Mixed] Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  31. ^ Pilley, Max (12 April 2024). "Listen to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' Boys Noize remix of 'Challengers' score". NME. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  32. ^ "Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Boys Noize - Challengers [MIXED] by Boys Noize". Record Store Day. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  33. ^ Ragusa, Paolo (12 April 2024). "Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' Challengers [Mixed]: Review". Consequence. Retrieved 29 April 2024.