Not since his 2008 indie directorial debut, The Pleasure of Being Robbed, has Josh Safdie helmed a movie without his younger brother Benny. The filmmaking duo, famously known as the Safdie Brothers, chose to pursue totally different projects after a recent creative split. They were initially developing a Netflix movie that would reunite them with Adam Sandler, set in the world of sports memorabilia and 1990s baseball. From the ashes of that project, which has since been put “on hold,” came Benny Safdie’s solo directorial debut, The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne Johnson. Notably, it earned him the Silver Lion for Best Director at this year’s Venice Film Festival. Now, only two months later, comes Josh’s response, Marty Supreme (2025).
Certain elements of the Safdies’ rumored Netflix film have seemingly carried over into Marty Supreme, as it’s also a period sports drama. SAG Award-winner Timothée Chalamet embodies protagonist Marty Mauser in his most magnetic performance to date. The young, highly ambitious table tennis star boasts a skill level unmatched by any other professional player in the United States. However, his family’s working-class background in 1952 New York City is holding him back from achieving true greatness, not to mention his extremely inflated ego. As Marty scorches everything in his path to become the first American world ping-pong champion, the relationships he chooses to mend or destroy will defy the kind of man he is.
Marty Supreme Completes a Spiritual Trilogy
The inevitable discussions about which Safdie brother made the “better” movie after splitting up are futile. Despite the two receiving glamorized rollouts from distributor A24, they couldn’t be further apart. Few comparisons can be drawn between a documentary-style biopic set in the world of MMA and a fictional journey through the early days of professional ping-pong against a post-World War II backdrop. Yet, it’s easy to imagine that audiences will swoon over Josh’s film in ways The Smashing Machine simply could not reach beyond its niche. Truly, Marty Supreme completes a spiritual trilogy of anxiety-inducing, New York fables with Good Time (2017) and Uncut Gems (2019), all three of which were also co-written by longtime collaborator Ronald Bronstein.
Marty’s goals aren’t necessarily defined by money or fame, but to prove to everyone that he is the best ping-pong player alive. It’s a purpose that he fully believes he was born with. The thing is… he might be right. This is how Bronstein and Safdie’s script inverts the underdog tale: Marty has all the charisma, intellect, and physical talent to secure the resources for success, but sabotages himself at practically every turn. Just like Adam Sandler’s Howard Ratner from Uncut Gems and Robert Pattinson’s Connie Nikas from Good Time, Marty is his own worst enemy.
As the story progresses, Marty’s poor decisions and unaffected hubris start to define him as another modern Icarus — someone who flew too close to the sun in trying to rewrite his legacy.
Timothée Chalamet is a Tour De Force
Timothée Chalamet’s influence as an indie darling is undeniable, coming up under the likes of Greta Gerwig and Luca Guadagnino. His larger projects, though, have admittedly challenged him the most in breaking out of that shell. Whereas his gripping turn as Paul Atreides in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune movies elevated his star power to the next level, his musical venture in Wonka (2023) and take on Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown (2024) were met with more timid responses. Can he truly do it all? The jury is still out on that. However, Marty Supreme gives him the best of both worlds, allowing him to unleash his natural talents while being challenged within the framework of a sprawling period piece.
Courtesy of A24
Inspired by late American table tennis legend Marty Reisman, Chalamet’s Marty Mauser has no right being as likable as he is. An expert hustler with a bold attitude and even cruder sense of humor, Mauser is the dirtbag athlete viewers would typically root against. But Chalamet’s self-assertive, almost menacing approach is a sight to behold. He commands the screen from start to finish, unafraid to put his charming image on the line in service of the character. After so much deception and heartbreak, it’s how he reels audiences back on his side that makes the performance so brilliant. Underneath his arrogance and grandiosity is a dreamer, one who just wants to make a name for himself.
An Underground New York Odyssey
The Japanese world champion, Koto Endo (portrayed by real-life, deaf ping-pong star Koto Kawaguchi), humbles Marty to second place at the British Open tournament, leaving him hellbent on a rematch. Until then, Marty is forced to raise the hefty sum required to attend the next championship, setting the entire second act on a wild twist of turns. He first tries to strike a deal with business tycoon Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary). Meanwhile, he begins a romantic affair with Rockwell’s wife, Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow), an Old Hollywood starlet who’s on the verge of making a comeback. Then, he gets entangled with an old-school gangster, Ezra Mishkin (played by prolific director Abel Ferrara), after losing his beloved dog.
Courtesy of A24
This is where many moviegoers will, understandably, start to lose grasp of Marty Supreme. More characters and unbelievable scenarios start getting introduced in one side plot after another. Tyler, The Creator pops in and steals some scenes as Wally, a lively Taxi cab driver who moonlights as Marty’s sly partner in crime. Fran Drescher makes a brief impression as Marty’s always-forgiving mother, Rebecca Mauser. Abel Ferrara, surprisingly, gets more screen time than expected, making for an oddly hilarious presence. For as fun as this all sounds, Marty’s misadventures often reach levels of insanity that feel like distractions from the greater narrative. In fact, there’s a long stretch of the movie that doesn’t feature any ping-pong at all!
Odessa A’zion is the Surprise MVP of Marty Supreme
More than it is a sports drama, Josh Safdie’s film is a genuine comedy of errors. To achieve his goal of becoming the next ping-pong champion, Marty must learn to accept humility and shame. No matter how ridiculous or meandering his numerous side quests may seem, they all play a role in Marty getting the comeuppance that will finally open his eyes to reality. At one point amidst the chaos, he nonchalantly says, “Everything is falling apart, but I’ll figure it out.” This is Marty Supreme at its peak, when its larger-than-life characters stick to their unwavering beliefs and faith in each other, even in the face of utter defeat. Enter the movie’s MVP: Odessa A’zion.
Courtesy of A24
A’zion, best known from HBO’s I Love LA and 2022’s Hellraiser reboot, is the lightning to Timothée Chalamet’s thunder. As Rachel Mizler, a young pet-store owner who is cheating on her husband with Marty, A’zion establishes herself as one of Hollywood’s next bright stars. She matches Chalamet’s electric energy, proving to be equally as committed to her character’s rugged side in the process. Gwyneth Paltrow, in her acting comeback, owns many of the film’s most memorable moments as well, both due to her poise and brashness. It’s as if she never took a break from acting. Finally, Kevin O’Leary, aka Mr. Wonderful of Shark Tank fame, is as mean and snarky as expected, though still effective in the part.
Marty Mauser’s Legacy is Just Getting Started
The formula that Josh Safdie and Ronald Bronstein have crafted, as producing partners, co-writers, and even co-editors, is golden. When paired with cinematographer Darius Khondji’s camerawork, which can flip from radiant and warm to stressful and frenetic on a dime, Marty Supreme forever ingrains itself in the viewer’s mind. Daniel Lopatin, otherwise known as Oneohtrix Point Never, has turned in another reverberating electronic score, too. It carries its own vibrant, mystifying personality while seamlessly blending with an excellent selection of ‘80s needle drops, including New Order, Tears for Fears, and Public Image Ltd. Each facet of Marty Supreme builds on itself to form a timeless tale, a new classic led by a definitive performance from Timothée Chalamet.
This gets said in jest a lot nowadays, but this genuinely feels like the kind of movie magic that Chalamet will always be remembered for, even as he continues to expand his already-beloved career.
Marty Supreme hits theaters on December 25!
Release Date: December 25, 2025.
Directed by Josh Safdie.
Written by Josh Safdie & Ronald Bronstein.
Produced by Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Anthony Katagas, & Timothée Chalamet.
Executive Producers: Timo Argillander, Joe Guest, Sara Rossein, & Andrea Scarso.
Main Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, Kevin O’Leary, Tyler Okonma, Abel Ferrara, Fran Drescher, Sandra Bernhard, Spenser Granese, Philippe Petit, Luke Manley, John Catsimatidis, Tracy McGrady, Kemba Walker, Isaac Mizrahi, Naomi Fry, George Gervin, Ted Williams, Emory Cohen, David Mamet, Fred Hechinger, Levon Hawke, Hailey Gates, Géza Röhrig, & Penn Jillette.
Cinematographer: Darius Khondji.
Composer: Daniel Lopatin.
Editors: Josh Safdie & Ronald Bronstein.
Production Company: Central Pictures.
Distributor: A24.
Runtime: 149 minutes.
Rated R.
