MARTY SUPREME - Review

Josh Safdie’s latest film maintains a tense and electrifying pace throughout the film, showcasing the drastic repercussions when understanding what pursuing “greatness” really means. Especially for a character as reckless but persistent as Marty Mauser where Timothée Chalamet completely owns portraying his over-confident but vulnerable attitude while aiming to be the best ping pong player in the world. Very consistent with the Safdie's other films with an aim to provoke viewers while the situations only get more chaotic as the film progresses. This along with its marvellous period technical elements, the pounding score, and bold casting choices from a memorable ensemble. Marty Supreme is an endlessly entertaining strike of lightning that reminds viewers of the profound impact cinema can provide, showcasing Safdie working above most filmmakers on a larger scale even with some stretched-out flashbacks.

Still Courtesy – A24

It's 1952 in New York City where Marty Mauser (portrayed by Timothée Chalamet) in his early 20's works temporarily as a shoe salesman for his uncle while having one clear goal in mind, show the world that he's the best ping pong player in the world. Nothing will stop Mauser to pursue this and show the worldwide value of ping pong to America, regardless of all the liabilities and responsibilities he avoids that end up coming back to bite him. Complete chaos starts taking ahold of Mauser's life as he tries to find loopholes with the dilemmas he's caused with various peculiar people, including his childhood lover, Rachel (portrayed by Odessa A'zion), a once famous actress, Kay (portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow), her wealthy businessman husband, Milton (portrayed by Kevin O'Leary), and his taxi driver friend Wally (portrayed by Tyler the Creator).

Josh and Benny Safdie have been on a roll with bringing a game-changing performance out of their lead actors on an anxiety-inducing but relentless journey with Good Time (2017) and Uncut Gems (2019). However, despite the brothers choosing to split up and solo direct each of their own projects, any thought of their spark not being reflected anymore should be put to rest. While Marty Supreme (2025) may feel more familiar to what's been reflected in their previous films more than Benny Safdie's solo outing from this year, The Smashing Machine (2025). Josh Safdie's solo work results with being the more effective of the two, both as a moving sports film along with providing a far more exhilarating experience for its entire 2hr 30min runtime. From its opening moments, the film is driven by a mounting sense of pressure, steadily revealing the heavy personal cost tied to the pursuit of “greatness.” Safdie frames ambition not as an abstract ideal, but as a consuming force that reshapes identity and decision-making.

This relentless pacing mirrors the mindset of its protagonist, pulling the audience into a world where every choice feels urgent and irreversible. The result is a film that grips tightly and refuses to slow down. At the center of this chaos is Marty Mauser, a character defined by equal parts arrogance and desperation. Timothée Chalamet delivers a commanding performance, fully embodying Marty’s reckless confidence while allowing flashes of insecurity to slip through. His portrayal captures the contradiction of a man who believes wholeheartedly in his own superiority yet is quietly haunted by self-doubt. Marty’s obsessive drive to become the greatest ping pong player in the world becomes both his motivation and his undoing. Chalamet’s nuanced performance ensures the character never feels one-dimensional, even at his most self-destructive.

Still Courtesy – A24

Stylistically, Marty Supreme (2025) feels unmistakably aligned with Safdie’s earlier work. The film thrives on escalation, pushing its characters into increasingly volatile situations as the narrative unfolds. Tension builds not through spectacle alone, but through the accumulation of bad decisions and mounting consequences. Safdie’s talent for provoking discomfort remains intact, forcing viewers to sit with the anxiety rather than offering easy relief. As the story spirals, the sense of chaos becomes both thrilling and exhausting in equal measure.

The technical craftsmanship further elevates the experience, especially in its meticulous period details. From production design to costuming, the film convincingly transports the audience into its era without drawing attention away from the characters. The score pounds relentlessly, amplifying the tension and underscoring Marty’s internal turmoil. Meanwhile, the ensemble cast makes a strong impression, with bold and memorable casting choices that add texture to Marty’s world. Each supporting performance contributes to the film’s sense of authenticity and unpredictability.

Ultimately, Marty Supreme (2025) feels like a jolt of cinematic electricity—messy, loud, and deeply compelling. Even with a few flashbacks that slightly overstay their welcome, the film’s ambition and energy remain undeniable. Safdie proves his ability to scale up his filmmaking without sacrificing the raw intensity that defines his style. The film serves as a reminder of cinema’s power to unsettle, excite, and linger long after the credits roll. In doing so, Marty Supreme (2025) stands as one of Safdie’s most entertaining and impactful works to date. While it'd be great to see the brothers reunite for another project, Josh certainly proves he's phenomenally capable of providing the same unique energy as Uncut Gems (2019) and Good Time (2017) here, surely to be one of his and Chalamet's most defining projects.

Verdict

9/10

Still Courtesy – A24