Marty Supreme Doesn’t Miss — Chalamet Swings for Oscar Gold

When I was a child, Santa Claus always went above and beyond by carefully selecting and personally delivering the most thoughtful and exciting presents for my brother and me.

One memorable year, he surprised us with a full-sized ping-pong table. We spent countless hours playing, beginning immediately after unwrapping it, with ping-pong balls bouncing all over the bonus room as we sweated from dashing back and forth in excited competition.

Neither of us pursued a professional career in the game, so I cannot claim to be an expert. I only realized after seeing Marty Supreme that many players take it very seriously, with some even competing at the Olympic level since 1988!

The initial premise of Marty Supreme didn’t really grab my attention, except for my admiration for Timothée Chalamet. But once the film's clever marketing took off, it shot to the top of my most-anticipated list. The sport jackets, orange blimps, and ping-pong-ball heads—some made me laugh, but they also left me so excited for Marty Supreme. Really genius marketing!

Although some may refer to this as the “dreaded hype machine” at work, I am happy to say I was not disappointed in this movie.

Loosely inspired by table tennis player Marty Reisman, the film follows Marty Mauser (Chalamet) in 1950s New York, who believes he is destined to become the world's greatest table tennis player. He works for his uncle at the family shoe store but considers it beneath him. The story traces his journey from local competitions to increasingly high-stakes matches, including the wild measures he takes to earn money to reach his ultimate goal: traveling to Tokyo to compete against Japan’s tennis champion and win a large sum.

Along the way, we are introduced to a range of characters involved in Marty’s life, including his childhood friend and intermittent girlfriend, Rachel (Odessa A’zion); his mother, Rebecca (Fran Drescher); his friend and taxi driver, Wally (Tyler the Creator); actress and socialite Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow); and her husband, Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary).

All of these people get intertwined in Marty’s bonkers story of narcissism, crazy antics, and twisted narratives that take you on a roller-coaster ride of emotions.

Although the film’s runtime is 150 minutes (gasp!), it rarely feels that long. Amid the chaos and shenanigans, you are left wondering how Marty will get himself out of the next predicament. Strap in because it is a fun and wild ride!

The development of this movie is quite interesting and worth knowing before watching. Director Josh Safdie was interested in table tennis as a child because his grandparents often had friends over to play, including many Jewish friends.

In 2018, Safdie’s wife gave him a copy of Marty Reisman’s autobiography, which led him to mention the idea of a film to his friend Timothée Chalamet, partly because of their physical similarities to Marty. That inspired Chalamet to start taking ping-pong lessons that same year, and Safdie then wrote the role specifically for him.

Watching Chalamet play table tennis in this movie is genuinely stunning. Years of practice have clearly paid off, as he demonstrates a dedication to his craft that really shows.

There’s no denying that Chalamet is the brightest star in Marty Supreme. I sense a bit of Chalamet’s essence embedded in Marty’s character, particularly his unwavering self-confidence. At one point, Kay Stone asks Marty what he will do if he fails, and Marty replies that the idea doesn’t even cross his mind. As we saw during last year’s award shows, Chalamet strives to be the best. While some might see this as narcissistic, I believe he isn’t merely exhibiting arrogance. He’s simply a young man eager for his Oscar, and I would be genuinely surprised if he doesn’t receive one for this performance.

And to be absolutely honest, every performance is stunning! Paltrow proves she still has it, beautiful and sexy as ever. Odessa has been on fire lately with Until Dawn, and I Love LA, and she gives it her all in this performance. O’Leary was a pleasant surprise, bringing his Shark Tank persona to a role meant for her and her alone. Tyler, the Creator proves not only that he is a Grammy Award-winning artist but also that he has the chops for a career in acting.

The production design is out of this world. Jack Fisk came in to build and block several pieces to recreate a 1950s New York setting, including real-life objects such as a Jewish newspaper delivery truck and the Lawrence’s Broadway Table Tennis Club, using blueprints and old photos. The color palette is stunning and so stylish, creating a feast for the eyes.

Cinematographer Darius Khondji, who also worked on Safdie’s Uncut Gems, shot the movie on 35mm film and with vintage lenses, making it A24’s most expensive film to date. I believe it will generate significant returns.

All of these elements, combined with the score by electronic artist Daniel Lopatin, create an electric feeling and a dopamine rush as the opening credits roll. It never stops! The high-energy score is peppered throughout, along with popular songs by Tears for Fears, Peter Gabriel, and New Order.

Style. Vibes. Chaos. Drama. What else could you want?

The story reaches a climax in the third act, culminating in a satisfying ending that leaves a warm, heartfelt feeling. No spoilers here, but I definitely enjoyed it—worth a “chef’s kiss,” as they say.

Some movies are best enjoyed at home, while others truly come alive on the big screen. Marty Supreme definitely demands a significant screen experience, with its larger-than-life personalities, explosive narratives, action, music, and style.

Leave the kids at home for this one, as it contains plenty of adult situations and language.

But if you’re eager to see one of the most promising Oscar contenders of 2026, make sure to head to the theater on Christmas Day for an unforgettable experience.

Overall, I would rate Marty Supreme 4.75 out of 5 stars. My only critique is that the ending felt rushed and could have carried more emotional weight. However, this is a minor detail in the grand scheme of things. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie, and it reaffirmed my belief that Timmy is one of the greatest actors of our time—and he’s just getting started.

My mom still has the ping-pong table from my youth, tucked away in the garage. I’m tempted to ask her if we can set it up the next time we visit, maybe for some friendly competition. Do I have what it takes to be a champion like Marty? Highly doubtful, but Marty’s unwavering confidence makes you believe you can do it, no matter the odds.

You can see Marty Supreme in theaters starting Christmas Day.