Romeo Beckham makes a bold acting debut in the French film Forty Love, passionately kissing his male tennis rival in a story that blends sport, desire and danger.
Released on Thursday, the trailer introduces viewers to a new side of Romeo as he plays the charismatic rival of Sacha Gallo, portrayed by Paul Kircher.
The pair’s rivalry gradually blurs into attraction as their exchanges move between hostility and flirtation. At one point, Romeo’s character tells Sacha: “It’s not my fault if you’re f*****g in love with me.”
During another tense match, the charged atmosphere continues when he warns his opponent: “Sleep with your eyes open, I’m coming for you.”
The trailer then takes a disturbing turn. Romeo is shown unconscious as Sacha pulls him into a hotel room, before another scene depicts him lying on the tennis court with Sacha straddling him and appearing to eat his bloodied organs over his lifeless body.
Romeo Beckham passionately kisses his charismatic tennis rival in his acting debut in the French gay tennis film Forty Love
The trailer, released on Thursday, shows Romeo in a new role as the charismatic tennis rival of Sacha Gallo, played by Paul Kircher
“I think I killed him!” Sacha admits in the trailer.
Romeo’s character also taunts him, saying: “You know, everyone does say you’re boring, and I think they’re right.”
The film also features intimate scenes, with the pair shown lying together in bed beneath a red light.
While Paul’s character speaks French, Romeo’s dialogue is in English. The 24-year-old also gets the chance to display his tennis ability during the film’s match sequences.
Romeo moved away from football at a young age and, at 12, began pursuing tennis. His coach at the time described his ability as “extraordinary.”
Although he eventually chose not to pursue a professional tennis career and instead entered the modelling industry, those skills appear to have proved useful for his first major acting role.
His girlfriend, Kim Turnbull, showed her support by liking the trailer shortly after it was released on Thursday.
The story follows Sacha Gallo, a tennis star training with his father as he prepares to win a major trophy in Paris. His ambitions are disrupted by the arrival of a new rival, played by Romeo.
As the competition intensifies, their relationship develops into a dark and complicated romance.
The film’s synopsis describes Sacha’s new challenge this way: “For the first time, he faces an opponent of an entirely different nature – love. A force as exhilarating as it is destabilising – and far more dangerous than anything he has encountered on the court.”
Forty Love is described as a film combining “rare tenderness, melancholy and strength.”
The trailer grows increasingly dark, showing Romeo lying on the court as Paul straddles him and appears to eat his bloodied organs over his lifeless body
Romeo is also shown unconscious while Paul drags him into a hotel room
In steamy scenes the pair are also seen lying in bed together as a red light shines on them both
The story revolves around Paul’s character Sacha Gallo, a tennis superstar who’s been training with his father to win a major trophy in Paris and is irked by the arrival of new rival – Romeo
Romeo pursued tennis with his coach when he was 12, at the time his coach commented that his skills were ‘extraordinary’
In another scene during a tense match the chemistry is palpable as he warns his rival: ‘Sleep with your eyes open, I’m coming for you’
The film is described as having ‘a rare tenderness, melancholy and strength
It is directed by fashion photographer Pierre-Ange Carlotti, produced by Hugo Selignac’s Chi-Fou-Mi Productions and co-produced by Studiocanal.
And Hugo added it is ‘sensual, romantic and deeply moving romantic fable and coming-of-age story’ about the ‘demands of high-level sport, and everything that lies beneath the surface… led by outstanding performances’.
Chloe Marquet, head of international sales at Studiocanal, said: ‘Carlotti’s singular visual language gives the film a real edge, while its exploration of desire, competition and identity will resonate with audiences worldwide.’
The film also stars Guillaume Canet, Benjamin Voisin and Catherine Deneuve and is set for release in French cinemas on November 25.
International release dates have yet to be confirmed.
The project marks Romeo’s first acting job after he has been modelling for several years for the biggest luxury brands including Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga, while being a long-time Burberry muse.
In October 2024, the then 22-year-old made his debut at Demna’s spring/summer 2025 Balenciaga show in Paris. Then came a surprise cameo at Milan Fashion Week the following season, where he walked the Versace autumn/winter 2025 runway.
