Timothée Chalamet commands the screen in this frantic, stylized portrait of one man’s pursuit of greatness in the world of ping-pong.
Timothée Chalamet returns to the big screen this Christmas, but he’s swapped the folk-rock of Bob Dylan from A Complete Unknown for something entirely different. In Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme, Chalamet trades his guitar and harmonica for a ping-pong paddle. While the film captures the same electric, chaotic energy found in the Safdie brothers’ 2019 hit Uncut Gems, it feels more refined. Where Uncut Gems occasionally stumbled in its sprawling narrative, Marty Supreme displays a newfound discipline. Much like its leading man, the film shows immense growth, solidifying its place as one of the best—if not the best—films of the year.
Set in 1950s New York City, Marty Supreme follows Marty Mauser (Chalamet), an up-and-coming player determined to dominate the niche world of professional ping-pong. However, his relentless pursuit of greatness leaves a trail of wreckage in his wake. Whether he is dealing with a mistress (Odessa A’zion), a wealthy businessman (Kevin O’Leary) and his wife (Gwyneth Paltrow), or close friends (Tyler Okonma and Luke Manley), Marty’s presence is inherently destructive. This chaos is the direct byproduct of a man consumed by a selfish obsession, showing little to no regard for the lives he upends in his quest for the top.
Throughout its 150-minute runtime, Marty Supreme maintains a frantic, chaotic energy that features varying levels of hilarity that will have audiences laughing out loud. The plot weaves through a series of hustles—from sponsorship scams and stolen dogs to high-stakes ping-pong cons—yet these threads never sputter. Instead, they converge into a conclusion that feels earned. This is where the film, its director, and its lead actor demonstrate the most growth: in the ability to deliver a conclusion that is deeply satisfying, even for a protagonist who is often difficult to root for. Like a Christmas gift, those closing moments wrap a bow on this sprawling story, offering one of the year’s best endings.
Marty Supreme relies entirely on a lead who can match the frantic energy of its protagonist, and Timothée Chalamet delivers. While it is hard to call this a “career-best” simply because his résumé is already staked with great performances, it undoubtedly ranks among his most impressive works and stands as one of the year’s best performances. Chalamet has solidified himself as the face of a new generation in Hollywood—a genuine “butts-in-seats” movie star. However, the supporting cast is equally vital; specifically, Odessa A’zion is a revelation as Marty’s mistress. Playing a pivotal role in several key subplots, A’zion proves she is a talent to watch, delivering one of the best and compelling supporting performances of the year.
True to its “Dream Big” tagline, Marty Supreme delivers an explosion of ambition where star power and paddle power collide. The result is a high-octane character study of a protagonist who leaves a wake of destruction in his pursuit of a Wheaties box cover. In a year defined by chaos both on and off the screen, this film offers a rare brand of escapism. It is a cinematic odyssey that finds humor and heart in a sport many consider irrelevant, leaving the audience with a persistent grin and a deep appreciation for this chaotic, niche world.