After one of the boldest, most inventive marketing campaigns for an “independent” film in recent memory, does Marty Supreme, A24’s unhinged Ping-Pong picture live up to the hype?
Directed by Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme follows the exploits of an American table-tennis prodigy in the 1950s, but don’t let that simple synopsis fool you… Marty Supreme is far from a conventional sports flick. Instead, Marty is no plucky underdog or inspirational hero; he’s a narcissistic, arrogant scumbag who’ll stop at nothing to achieve his aspirations. The film’s tagline, Dream Big, is fully embodied in its lead character, but his actions are far from inspirational.
What begins as a young man’s push to dominate a niche tabletop sport, soon becomes a sprawling New York crime/thriller, fuelled by street hustles, police chases, and schmoozing the wealthy elite… in more ways than one. It’s chaotic, intense, and relentlessly bold – a portrait of single‑minded obsession as Marty charms, exploits, and manipulates almost everyone he meets in service of his goals.
Dream big, play dirty
The best films, to my mind, are the ones that refuse to sit comfortably in a single box. A little bit of this with a little bit of that – genres colliding until they somehow snap into something cohesive and compelling. Marty Supreme is a LOT of different things, and every one of them is executed with an elite level of talent and conviction.
Timothée Chalamet is at his cocky, charismatic best as the scummy yet skilled Marty Mauser (loosely inspired by real‑life table‑tennis star Marty Reisman). For an actor who has put in some brilliant performances over the past few years, it’s hard not to see this as his best work yet. Chalamet channels a strong dose of Pacino swagger, delivering a performance that toes the line between magnetic and repellent, yet you can’t help but root for his sheer audacity and unshakable belief in himself. Oscar buzz feels inevitable, though credit must be shared across an immaculately cast ensemble.
The Safdie signature in full force
The Safdies have long had a knack for unconventional casting – Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems, Robert Pattinson in Good Time, even pulling faces straight off the street when the look is right. Marty Supreme is a perfect example of that ethos in action. Every character, no matter how fleeting their screen time, feels sharply defined and completely at home in the film’s grimy, eclectic world. And casting Kevin O’Leary as that menace… genius!
Though the Safdie brothers may have split directing duties, it’s clear Josh has fully retained the directing “sauce,” while Benny seems content holding on to the acting side, hardly a bad compromise. Josh Safdie’s direction propels the film forward in a frenzied, episodic rush, building towards a tense table-tennis showdown. Each match is staged with the operatic intensity of a heavyweight boxing bout, elevated by restless camera work and a pulsing synth score from Daniel Lopatin.
Throw in some surprising 80s hits from the likes of Tears for Fears, Alphaville and New Order and it all strangely comes together to make for one of the most captivating and audacious films of 2025.
