Romeo Beckham Makes His Acting Debut in the Steamy ‘Forty Love’ Trailer: Rivals, Romance and a Dark Turn
Sports and romance make a potent combination, and the screen has been catching on. After the success of ‘Challengers’ and the buzz around ‘Heated Rivalry,’ queer sports dramas are having a real cultural moment. Now a French film is stepping onto the court with a rivalry that is anything but friendly.
The project also comes with a famous surname attached. Romeo Beckham, the 24-year-old son of David and Victoria Beckham, has spent recent years building a career in fashion, modeling for houses like Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and Burberry. Before that, he pursued both football and tennis, and he left both sports in 2024 to follow fashion.
That path leads to ‘Forty Love,’ his first feature-film acting role. The first official trailer arrived on Thursday, Oct. 15, from StudioCanal France, and it shows Beckham as a charismatic rival who turns a tennis star’s life upside down. The footage teases an enemies-to-lovers romance with a darker edge.
The story centers on Sacha Gallo, played by French actor Paul Kircher, a 21-year-old rising tennis star who has trained with his father for one goal: winning a major title in Paris. His tightly controlled world is shaken when a magnetic new rival, played by Beckham, enters the picture. The official synopsis frames love as an opponent of an entirely different nature.
The trailer leans into the push and pull between the two. Beckham’s character taunts his opponent, warning him to sleep with his eyes open, while other moments show the pair kissing and lying in bed together. Attitude described the rivalry as taking a dark turn, hinting at a gory twist.
Beckham is not the only newcomer attached to the film. Director Pierre-Ange Carlotti, a fashion photographer, is making his feature directorial debut. The film was shot in the south of France, including around Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, as well as in Paris and the surrounding region.
French reports say Beckham will act in both English and French. He joins an established ensemble that includes Guillaume Canet and Benjamin Voisin, along with a special appearance by Catherine Deneuve. Kircher is best known to international audiences for ‘The Animal Kingdom,’ and he previously earned acclaim in ‘Winter Boy.’
«In tennis love means nothing» Bande-annonce de FORTY LOVE, un film de Pierre-Ange Carlotti avec Paul Kircher, Guillaume Canet, Romeo Beckham, Benjamin Voisin et la participation de Catherine Deneuve. Au cinéma le 25 novembre. Avant-première mondiale le 17 novembre à Paris : https://t.co/uoCuvuhOaS 🔥 Trailer for FORTY LOVE, a film by Pierre-Ange Carlotti starring Paul Kircher, Guillaume Canet, Romeo Beckham, Benjamin Voisin, with a special appearance by Catherine Deneuve. In French theaters November 25 and coming soon worldwide. World Premiere November 17 in Paris : https://t.co/uoCuvuhOaS🔥
— STUDIOCANAL (@StudiocanalFR) October 15, 2026
The film is produced by Hugo Sélignac and Paco de Bary through Chi-Fou-Mi Productions, a Mediawan company, with Studiocanal and Manna Studios co-producing. Studiocanal is handling worldwide sales. The score comes from 070 Shake and Johan Lenox.
Producers have described the project as a sensual, romantic and deeply moving fable and coming-of-age story. It explores elite sport and the emotions beneath its competitive surface. That tone sets it apart from more conventional sports dramas.
The film is already being compared to some of the biggest sports romances of recent years. One outlet called it a true successor to ‘Heated Rivalry,’ with a charged connection between two rival athletes at the center, just with a different sport. Others have noted that it follows the 2024 success of ‘Challengers’ and arrives after the HBO Max series.
Not every reaction has been glowing. Some commentators have raised eyebrows at the casting of a celebrity child in a lead role, using the word nepotism. Still, others point out that Beckham has a history with tennis, which gives him a natural link to the material.
‘Forty Love’ is scheduled to open in French theaters on Nov. 25. An international release has not yet been announced, so viewers outside France will have to wait for further news. The film was in post-production when its first-look image was unveiled in June.
That image was revealed by Variety, which first reported that Beckham was making his acting debut. Since then, a few more glimpses have arrived, culminating in this trailer. Expect more promotion as the French release date approaches.
For Beckham, the film marks a significant step beyond fashion and sport. It places him in a story about desire, competition and identity, which is a notable choice for a first role. The trailer suggests he is comfortable leaning into the tension.
For audiences, the larger question is whether the film can live up to its comparisons. The combination of a debut director, a debut lead and an A-list French supporting cast is intriguing. If the trailer is any indication, it will not be playing it safe.
What are you most excited about?
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