- Timothee Chalamet, Sandra Bernhard, Odessa A'zion, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler The Creator
- December 26th 2025
- 150
- Josh Safdie
Timothée Chalamet plays an up-and-coming table tennis champion who has to find ways to raise money for his next tournament.
If you thought Marty Supreme was going to be a straightforward sports movie about a table tennis player, you are very mistaken.
Although it is inspired by real-life ping pong star Marty Reisman, Marty Supreme is more of a stressful, intense comedy-drama that focuses more on what our titular character gets up to when he’s not playing.
Set in New York in 1952, Josh Safdie’s film follows Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet), a talented table tennis player who needs money to compete in tournaments around the world.
The only issue is that he is too proud to get a job on the side to help him raise the cash. So, in between championships in London and Japan, we follow him as he hustles and swindles, exploits his friends and family, and gets involved in messy situations to acquire the funds to pursue his dream.
Marty Supreme is basically Uncut Gems – which Safdie directed with his brother Benny – but with table tennis. It is chaotic, stressful and a lot to take in all in one go. Marty ends up in many crazy situations – often risking arrest or even death – and you can’t help but think it would have been easier just to get a job!
Chalamet spent years taking table tennis lessons to prepare for this movie, and his commitment pays off in the exciting competitions, in which Marty likes to showboat and lord his talent over his rivals.
The character isn’t particularly easy to like – he’s narcissistic, cocky and rude and is so laser-focused on his pursuit of greatness that he will stop at nothing to achieve it, even if that means screwing over his loved ones. He is constantly badgering people for money or shelter and won’t stop until they say yes.
Chalamet truly sinks his teeth into this egotistical character and seems to be having a ball playing someone who has no filter and will say whatever offensive thing comes into his mind. You can’t help but laugh at some of his shocking lines!
The Oscar-nominated star is well matched with the wonderful Gwyneth Paltrow, who is back on our screens after an acting break. She aptly plays a retired actress pursuing a comeback, and hopefully, this signals Paltrow’s permanent return too. She has been missed.
Marty Supreme is unpredictable, funny and totally unique, with yet another awards-worthy turn from Chalamet.
In cinemas Friday 26th December.
By Hannah Wales.
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