Marty Supreme (2025) is the movie that feels long overdue for a proper review. While Ryan Coogler’s Sinners redefined the vampire genre, Josh Safdie’s latest project stole the spotlight at recent award ceremonies, leaving many wondering: why focus on an over-determined ping-pong jerk?
A24 released Marty Supreme theatrically on December 25, 2025. Since then, it has made waves across social media, largely due to an insane performance by lead actor Timothée Chalamet. Directed by Josh Safdie and written alongside Ronald Bronstein, this 1950s sports comedy will leave you chasing your own goals long after watching it.
Marty Supreme gathers an ensemble of top influencers and talented actors including Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, Kevin O’Leary, and Tyler, The Creator. It stuffs them all right in our faces for a two-hour runtime. Surprisingly, it feels right. Every cast member lives up to their individual role.
Premise
The plot of Marty Supreme sets the ball rolling in a local shoe shop, perhaps the city’s finest. Here we meet the over-zealous salesman, Marty Mauser, who works for his uncle, Murray. More than anything, Marty wants to be the world’s best ping-pong player. He sets his heart on beating the current world champion, Béla Kletzki, at the British Open to bring American attention to the sport.
Although his uncle offers him a promotion to sales manager, Marty remains hell-bent on chasing his dreams. Desperation sets in, and Marty forcefully takes $700 that his uncle owed him but failed to pay. He needs this money to travel to London for the annual tournament. There, he hopes to win the grand prize and give his dependent mother a better life.
Upon arriving in London, his arrogance screams louder than his skills. He bluntly refuses to stay in the hostel with other players. Instead, he sneaks his way into a five-star hotel suite reserved for tournament officials. This audacity sets him on a chaotic path. He meets renowned actress Kay Stone and immediately begins to woo her. In the process, he discovers her husband is Mr. Rockwell, the CEO of Rockwell Inc. Marty invites the wealthy investor to watch him win the tournament, and Mr. Rockwell half-heartedly obliges.
Unfortunately, Marty loses the tournament to a more dedicated Japanese player. He does not take the loss lightly; his subsequent crash-out incurs a $1,500 fine and a ban from the British Open. However, Mr. Rockwell offers him a lifeline. He tells Marty that his skills could help promote Rockwell products. Rockwell offers $1,000 for Marty to lose a staged rematch with his Japanese counterpart in Japan, with flights and accommodation covered.
Marty’s ego is too big to accept. He arrogantly refuses the offer and returns to New York. There, everything falls apart. His uncle arrests him for theft. Furthermore, his childhood friend, with whom he had an affair, is now eight months pregnant with a baby she suspects is his.
Now, Marty faces the burden of fatherhood, paying the debt for his arrogance, and settling the score with his rival. You may think you know how Marty Supreme turns out, but you don’t. The movie constantly makes you wonder if Marty’s luck could get any worse. Spoiler: Yes, it does. You just have to watch to find out.
Cast and Performance
Timothée Chalamet as Marty
Timothée plays an aspiring table tennis champion determined to be the best. The character is loosely based on real-life player Marty Reisman. Chalamet plays this role with such audacity that I began rooting for him, despite his character being a manipulative sleazeball who uses everyone to reach his destination. His hunger for success is enviable. While some might call it delusional, he exhibits traits worth noting. For instance, his resilience is unmatched. We see the “never give up” trope in many movies, but Chalamet’s portrayal of resilience and obsession stands out as the best.
Gwyneth Paltrow as Kay Stone
Gwyneth stars as a wealthy, retired actress and socialite who forms an intense relationship with Marty. She is seasoned in her acting, portraying a 1950s actress flawlessly. Her looks are nothing short of gorgeous. She plays the role with such grace that, despite the affair, she felt blameless in my eyes. I loved the chemistry she shared with Marty. Even before the affair began, the tension was palpable. This is a huge compliment, as many on-screen pairings lack chemistry, making relationships feel forced.
Kevin O’Leary as Mr. Rockwell
We all know Kevin as “Mr. Wonderful” from Shark Tank, sitting alongside billionaire buddies who invest in promising businesses. I had no idea he could act. He plays Rockwell, an influential businessman and Kay’s husband, who takes an interest in Marty for personal gain, like a vampire. The businessman persona felt natural for him, especially when he constantly humbled the over-zealous brat, Marty.
Odessa A’zion as Rachel
Odessa plays Rachel, Marty’s married childhood friend. She finds herself in a loveless marriage where Marty becomes her only escape. However, things spiral out of control. She purposefully lets things escalate because she needs an out from her marriage, and getting pregnant by Marty seems like the brightest idea in her book.
Tyler, The Creator as Wally
Tyler plays Wally, a taxi driver and Marty’s friend who is also skilled at table tennis. He and Marty make a mischievous pair. They con people out of money by pretending to be novices, only to humble their opponents and take the cash when the bets get high. Wally provides the emotional support Marty needs. They share flawless chemistry as friends—something a script alone cannot create. It takes real dedication for colleagues to bring that bond to reality.
What I Liked
Marty Supreme offers many takeaways. Specifically, the movie defines what happens when audacity meets determination. Everyone should learn to pursue goals with such resilience—though perhaps with more morality. If you saw the movie Him as recommended, you would realize those characters share the same zeal.
Setting the movie in the ’50s was a bold move that played out perfectly. I enjoy movies with timeless costumes and pieces. The vintage cars, stores, and even the aircraft were beautiful to see in Marty Supreme.
Furthermore, the training the actors underwent for the sport is evident. Timothée took the lead and played like a pro. Behind-the-scenes footage confirms that none of those movements were CGI; he literally runs after balls while maintaining character.
What I Didn’t Like
The two-hour runtime felt like a bore. I have seen longer movies and wished they lasted even longer, but Marty Supreme started to drag at certain points. A few scenes felt unnecessary for the plot and slowed the pacing.
Verdict
If you need a movie that motivates you to accomplish your goals, you should see Marty Supreme. It prompts you to do exactly that. However, it is rated 18+ for graphic scenes, so do not watch this movie in the company of kids. But by all means, see it with friends and loved ones. You are in for a lovely ride.
Rating
I rate Marty Supreme: 4 out of 5
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