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Timothée Chalamet stuns in Marty Supreme, a bold and surprising sports epic from director Josh Safdie and A24. Unveiled unexpectedly at the New York Film Festival, this $70 million production transforms 1950s table tennis into a story of grit, glamour, and reinvention. In theaters this Christmas.
Josh Safdie returns solo, big and ambitious
After years of directing alongside his brother Benny, Josh Safdie steps out on his own with Marty Supreme — his first solo film since 2008. If some filmmakers ease back into the game quietly, Safdie does the opposite: Marty Supreme is grand, brisk, and visually vibrant. With A24 backing its biggest production to date (a reported $70 million), the film feels like a bold statement of intent. Safdie isn’t just back — he’s swinging for the fences.
There’s something exciting about seeing a director known for raw, grounded energy (like in Uncut Gems) now take on a period-sport epic with this kind of detailed world-building. He doesn’t just tell a sports story — he builds a fever-dream version of 1952, full of neon lights, smoke-filled rooms, and roguish charm. It’s stylized but never hollow.
A fictional champion inspired by real obsession
The story follows Marty Mauser, a slick New Yorker from the Lower East Side who hustles sneakers by day and dreams — with absolute conviction — of becoming the best ping-pong player in the world. Played by Chalamet, Marty is inspired by real-life champion Marty Reisman but quickly becomes his own character: larger, wilder, shaped by ambition and street smarts. His ultimate goal? A match in Japan against his rival, Koto Endo (played by actual champion Koto Kawaguchi). To read Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton face off in 2026’s Apex trailer
The film draws loose inspiration from Reisman’s memoir The Money Player, though Safdie quickly clarifies: “This isn’t a biopic, it’s an homage.” And that allows the film to bend reality, heighten moments, and craft something more cinematic than purely realistic. That freedom makes Marty Supreme feel alive — unpredictable, and brimming with energy.
Timothée Chalamet, absolutely all-in
If there’s one thing that jumps off the screen, it’s Chalamet’s commitment. He spent years training in secret — not just between roles but literally on the sets of other films. “I had a table in London while filming Wonka. In Budapest and Jordan for Dune 2. Even at Cannes, during The French Dispatch, I practiced,” he says.
That dedication shows. This isn’t just a good performance — it’s one of the most physical and technical roles of his career. He plays Marty with the slippery charm of someone always two steps ahead, but also the hunger of someone who knows that talent alone isn’t enough. In his words, the character is “the most who I was that I’ve had to play.” That sincerity gives weight to every serve, every argument, every risky decision the character makes.
For me, this might be the first time I’ve seen Chalamet fully disappear into a role in a physical sport. It’s refreshing, weirdly moving, and at times, electric. He’s not just acting — he’s sweating for it.
Diverse cast, unpredictable dynamics
The world around Marty Mauser is chaotic, romantic, and deeply human. Safdie fills it with a vibrant supporting cast: To read Ranking Shyamalan’s Hits: Which Film Defines His Legacy?
- Gwyneth Paltrow plays Kay Stone, a captivating retired actress who falls hard for Marty (her first role on screen in five years)
- Tyler, the Creator makes his acting debut as Wally, Marty’s fast-talking partner in crime
- Fran Drescher appears as Marty’s hilarious and intense mother
- Odessa A’Zion gives spark to Rachel, Marty’s clever and ambitious girlfriend
- Kevin O’Leary — yes, from Shark Tank — surprises as Milton Rockwell, a wealthy and entirely believable villain
There’s a pulp novel energy to the whole lineup, but the performances feel rooted and sometimes touching. The chemistry between Chalamet and Paltrow, in particular, is unexpectedly tender — an affair that feels more like two misfits quietly recognizing each other.
Athletic spectacle meets cinematic style
Safdie brings his directing intensity even to the tiniest details. The table tennis scenes — often neglected in cinema for looking flat or repetitive — are handled with genuine flair. Shot in long single takes with the help of ping-pong consultant Diego Schaaf (who also worked on Forrest Gump), the matches aren’t just action — they’re psychological duels.
With cinematographer Darius Khondji on board, the film blends grainy realism and dreamlike polish: dusty clubs in New York, rain-slicked streets in Tokyo, hypnotic crowd scenes. It’s bold without being overdone. As a viewer, you feel like you’re part of a very specific universe — one where fashion, competition, and swagger all swirl together.
Themes of identity, ambition, and reinvention
Beneath the style and the sport, Marty Supreme captures something more timeless: what it means to chase a dream when no one believes in you yet. Not just the desire to win, but the desire to be seen in a world that wants you invisible.
For Chalamet, that story seems personal. He’s said as much — that playing Marty reminded him of the period before his own rise. There’s something raw about that, something honest. And I think that’s what stuck with me after the screening: yes, the film dazzles. But more than that, it understands what it feels like to be on the edge of obscurity, betting everything on your one shot.
