by Rosa Parra

Directed and co-written by Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme stars Timothee Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, Kevin O’Leary, and Tyler Okonma. It follows Marty Mauser (Chalamet), a young man with a dream no one respects, who goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness. 

I had heard strong initial word of mouth when this film premiered a few weeks ago at a film festival. And now that I’ve had a chance to see it, I can fully agree with those sentiments. When watching a Safdie movie, there’s already an expectation about the type of characters, pace, and style you’re going into. Here, I have to admit that this is by far the best Safdie film for those reasons and more.

Although it’s not an unheard-of statement, in this film, Chalamet delivers the performance of his career. It can’t be easy to portray an unlikable character with such charm and wit. As a narcissistic young man, Marty isn’t a likable, but Chalamet infuses him with the perfect amount of charisma, making him someone who is only doing what he can to pursue his ambitions. I don’t have much interest in learning about a man maneuvering around rich folks who would sponsor him to compete in an international table tennis tournament. However, the script, performances, score, sounds, and editing make this premise one of the most exciting things of 2025. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins the Academy Award next year for Best Actor. 

The supporting cast is exceptional as well. Kevin O’Leary was fantastic in this role! I didn’t know what to expect when he first appeared on screen, but he surprised me. Casting him as a CEO was a perfect fit. Gwyneth Paltrow was also strong, sharing great chemistry with Chalamet, and her story arc felt very relevant to her acting career. Odessa A’zion was another standout! Her portrayal of Marty’s romantic interest was a rollercoaster, ending quite satisfyingly. The casting director did an excellent job selecting actors who naturally blend into this environment. Every single character was believable and seamlessly fit into this world. 

The characters’ complexity kept me intrigued throughout. When the outcome of a character and how they handle outrageous situations is unpredictable, it creates thrilling entertainment. This success is due to the script, direction, and editing. The film mainly uses close-up and medium close-up shots, offering a personal, intimate connection with the characters. This makes it easy to become invested in their stories. The dialogue is fast-paced, with exchanges that feel realistic and engaging. The quick editing enhances the experience, especially during the perfectly shot table tennis matches. The sound design boosts the intensity and suspense of the matches. The music choices are also quite impressive. The cinematography is outstanding, featuring bright, naturally lit scenes with a variety of close-up and mid-close-up shots. Focusing on faces, the film skillfully captures the emotions conveyed through facial expressions. From start to finish, the film is full of nonstop action, culminating in a memorable ending. 

Overall, Marty Supreme is one of the best films of 2025. This is without a doubt the best Safdie movie, and I can’t wait to watch it again. It’s perfectly One Paddle After Another (wink).

Rating: 9.5/10