Marty Supreme (dir. Josh Safdie)

By: Nick Zednik

Greatness doesn’t come cheap, it's more often than not a high price to pay. Riding hot off the heels of his first SAG award, Timothèe Chalamet (Dune, A Complete Unknown) sent shock waves throughout the film industry when he proclaimed his desire to be “one of the greats”. So what does one of Hollywood’s fastest rising movie stars do to follow that statement up? He takes on a role larger than life with very personal stakes and teams up with one half of the Safdie brothers, Josh Safdie (Good Time, Uncut Gems) to create an epic, all-American underdog story centered around one word: greatness.

Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, an aspiring ping pong champion in 1950s NYC who barely makes ends meet working at his uncle’s shoe store. Director Josh Safdie impeccably blends in the chaotic nature of city life, with a character who feels as large as the city itself. Marty romances a married friend and neighbor, Rachel (Odessa A’zion), who is clearly in love with the captivating Marty and shines bright as the emotional anchor throughout the film. After what is basically a prologue origin, Marty takes off for a ping pong championship, where he tries his best to live life to the fullest by manipulating his way into an all expenses paid suite and relishing in the pleasantries of room service. That’s also where Marty spots former box office queen Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow) and instantly sees a “meal ticket”. Their relationship feels strictly transactional as the opportunistic Marty sees Kay as a means to gain access to rich goods and her power-hungry, billionaire husband, (Kevin O’Leary), who can ascend Marty to heights faster than he’s ever dreamed of. Paltrow thrives within the balance of a Mrs. Robinson figure unable to resist a charming young man and finding a second life as a once-successful actress through Broadway productions. Credit where it’s due, Kevin O’Leary (Shark Tank) shines as the self-righteous villain of Marty Supreme looking to control Marty’s life through manipulation and greed. The moral hard truth remains that athletes are still considered expendable to the almighty big green dollar. 

Any movie is only as entertaining as its supporting cast and A24 certainly used every penny in its $70M budget, (the most expensive A24 film to date). Marty Supreme boasts a killer ensemble with familiar faces and newcomers launching onto the scene. It’s a movie where no matter the screen time, everyone understands the assignment. Of course, the film belongs to Chalamet, who delivers a colossal performance with a character who is never unlikable, and continuously represents the hustle and struggle the everyday man faces in life. It’s a role that allows audiences to see through the eyes of Marty as the road to glory dawns. The energy brought to the screen is always kinetic and adrenaline-inducing. A sports movie at heart and so, one can expect ping pong to never feel as riveting as it does here. The sequences are some of the most electrifying filmmaking viewers will see all year and the score mixed in by Daniel Lopatin is just as addictive as it is motivating. 

Falling into the confines of often-used tropes in sports storytelling, Marty Supreme is a movie that feels big but thrives off the plethora of small, intimate moments made throughout Marty’s journey. With a runtime that clocks in at a lengthy 149 minutes, the film moves at a frenetic pace that should keep audiences captivated. No doubt, Marty Supreme is a sure-fire Oscar contender, a crowdpleaser that can be put in front of anyone, and a career-best Timothèe Chalamet exuding the highest levels of confidence. Marty Supreme is a story of a morally questionable young man burdened by his relentless pursuit of the American Dream. How very American! Dream big! 

Nick’s Pick: 9.5/10 Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme is pure electricity from start to finish and one of 2025’s most exciting and entertaining offerings.