Queer stories are marked by tension, devotion, and vulnerability. On screen, these stories are often subjected to subtext rather than fully explored. However, the hype surrounding the new TV series Heated Rivalry suggests a new method of using athletic competition as a mechanism for exploring queerness, as the high stakes of competition often mirrors these themes. With the physical risk of dangerous feats, or emotional consequences of winning and losing, it is clear why sports films thrive on building tension, portraying the athletes’ devotion to the sport, and exploring the vulnerability of existing under such high pressure.
Luca Guadagnino, who is known for depicting queer stories, directed Challengers (2024), a movie about tennis which is not really about tennis. It is more about the relationship between the three leads — Patrick, Art, and Tashi. A common takeaway is that this is a film about desire–Patrick loves Art, Art loves Tashi, and Tashi loves tennis. The overly comfortable body language between the boys, and suggestive imagery such as that of a shared churro, positions their athletic rivalry as a coded desire.
Nyad (2023) offers a different but equally significant form of representation. Queerness does not exist solely within romantic relationships, but as community, endurance, and self-acceptance — central to queer experience. Nyad reflects this by placing a queer relationship at its emotional core without a romantic plotline. The sports biopic follows Diana Nyad as she attempts, at the age of 60, to become the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida. Central to her success is her relationship with her trainer and former partner, Bonnie Stoll. As her best friend, Bonnie’s tough love and commitment to Dianna is just as important as her physical strength and training. The chemistry between Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, both Oscar nominated for their performances, grounds the film’s depiction of extreme physical risk in a deeply human story of resilience and queer friendship.
Overall, the healthy combination of sports and queer stories can make for gravitating on screen performances showcasing sexual tension and rivalry, as well as friendship and perseverance. Heated Rivalry is a welcomed addition to this hybrid storytelling.
Photo by Tahamie Farooqui on Unsplash.