Courtesy of A24

If you’re online at all, chances are high that the whole “Marty Supreme” press tour ordeal has popped up on at least one of your suggested pages. Between cringe-inducing Zoom meetings, confusing interviews and Timothée Chalamet’s official rap debut, the movie has drummed up lots of attention for itself. The much-anticipated film came out on Christmas Day and has already won several awards. 

The semi-biographical movie, loosely based on table tennis hustler and two-time United States table tennis champion Marty Reisman, follows Marty Mauser, played by Chalamet, an obnoxiously cocky yet charmingly determined and eccentric shoe salesman, in his journey to fulfill his dream of becoming the greatest table tennis player the world has ever known. As the storyline progresses, this goal becomes more unattainable — and complicated. 

The anxiety-inducing style that director Josh Safdie is acclaimed for is more apparent than ever in “Marty Supreme,” his seventh feature film and the first he has directed without his brother Benny Safdie. From the get-go, the film is intense; Mauser’s insurmountable anxiety about becoming the best is just as starkly felt by the audience as the character himself. The stakes are high and Mauser is playing an all-or-nothing game.

Just as Safdie’s directorial style shines in this film, so does his character work. It becomes obvious that Mauser is willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants — even if that means being predatory and manipulative to both strangers and loved ones. Yet, he is still worth rooting for because of his undeniable charisma and admirable determination. It takes talent to write a character like Mauser, someone who constantly engages in wrongdoing but still seems worthy of achieving their dreams.

It perhaps takes even more talent to successfully play a character like Mauser. Chalamet’s sensational talent is on full display and “Marty Supreme” is yet another addition to his growing resume of superb performances. Both the film’s comedic and dramatic aspects can be described as nothing but peak and Chalamet delivers every line perfectly. 

Chalamet, however, is not the only actor who delivers a stellar performance. Gwyneth Paltrow came out of her self-imposed retirement to play the somewhat meta role of an alluring former movie star and put on a brilliant performance worthy of her Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 2026 Academy Awards. Odessa A’zion, a newer face in Hollywood, delivers a compelling performance as Rachel Mizler, Mauser’s on-and-off love interest and childhood friend. Her role as Mizler will undoubtedly be described as her breakout one — deservedly so.

Safdie also cast many non-actors for this film. The American rapper Tyler, the Creator plays Wally, Mauser’s best friend and partner-in-crime. He plays a character with a personality much akin to his own, which naturally makes him the comedic heart of the film. Kevin O’Leary — better known as Mr. Wonderful —  the Canadian businessman known for the TV show “Shark Tank,” plays the meta role of a ruthless millionaire named Milton Rockwell, the husband to Paltrow’s character. He plays the cutthroat antagonist like a professional.

It is obvious that Safdie had specific people in mind when he wrote the characters for this film. This is most obviously seen in Koto Kawaguchi’s character, Koto Endo. Kawaguchi is a real-life professional table tennis champion who is deaf, the exact same as his character in the film. He barely has any lines, but highlights the film’s focus on authenticity in the table tennis world.

This film clearly emerged from Safdie’s own cinephilia. Because of that, the film might not be for everyone. His directing style is intense and can be a bit hard to follow for the average viewer or even a baby filmbro. This is especially evident in the second act of the film, where the storyline pivots a bit from its table tennis storyline, instead focusing more on the consequences of the cumulative manipulation Mauser exposes those around him to.

Yet, in a Hollywood where prequels, sequels, live-actions and biopics currently dominate, this film is a fresh breath of originality. It is unapologetic and knows it is not for everyone. Safdie is okay with that; it might even be his intention and that is a powerful choice not all directors seem comfortable making.

“Marty Supreme” is as bold of a solo directorial debut as its main character is unrelenting. It puts to the test what an individual can achieve when they dare to dream big. But it also asks the question: is the cost of ambition worth the result? It is an extraordinarily nuanced film that deserves the long list of awards it is bound to win.