Challengers also pays tribute to another important history of the cinematic love triangle in its exploration of queer subtexts. There is a rich history of the love triangle being used for exploring characters bisexuality (think The Talented Mr Ripley or Y Tu Mama Tambien) and while often this can draw criticism for leaning into negative stigmas of bisexuality, such as promiscuity and a need to ‘choose’, the films also offers rich discourses on queerness.

There are naturally grounds to argue these films do queerbait, teasing the two same-sex individuals in the love triangle will unite (the viral ‘Churro Scene’ from Challengers offering one of many examples from the film), only for little to ever come of it. As Challengers fan Loz tells Stylist: “I don’t think Challengers queerbaits entirely, I think it does in points but there’s no definitive proof that these men aren’t queer.” Loz also highlights that cis-gendered, heterosexual women may find the queer possibilities of love triangles so tantalising “because it’s a sexual situation you don’t have to insert yourself into,” allowing you to watch a sexual relationship play out undisturbed by the male gaze.

Intrigued to see Challengers? Here’s why we can’t get enough of cinematic love triangles