Marty Supreme: Not Your Average Underdog Story

Starting the Match

Grab a paddle and align yourself at the table, because one of the year’s most acclaimed films has arrived just in time for awards season! Marty Supreme is the newest film from independent studio A24, known for a plethora of movies ranging from Hereditary to Everything Everywhere All at Once. Their films are primarily known for taking simplistic stories and expanding upon them in unpredictable ways, whether it be through subversions of story expectations or by providing a deeper meaning through complex themes and allegories. As a result, the studio has gone on to become one of the most recognized and praised names in the modern film world, with each new project of theirs garnering a massive slew of fans.

Marty Supreme – loosely based on the life of table tennis player Marty Reisman – is no exception to this mantra, as the film has built up a steady stream of hype in the time leading up to its release. Not only did this movie have an extensive marketing campaign which included tie-in merchandise and viral promotional stunts, but it received high praise from critics and audiences, and was even nominated for a few Golden Globe awards, with talk of potential Academy Award recognition now in effect. All of these factors combined led the film to earn $28 million over its opening Christmas weekend, one of the biggest totals of any A24 movie. 

I was very excited to check this movie out from the moment the first trailer was released, mainly because of how it promoted itself as an underdog story – a concept which sees a doubted individual climb the ranks to be celebrated – centered around table tennis, a sport which has not received a lot of traction in the film industry. Added in with A24’s involvement, I also saw hope in the film’s cast and crew, promoting a lot of talent in bringing this concept to life. With all of these aspects combined, it promised that a fantastic movie would be the result, and I could not have been more excited to wrap up 2025 by watching one of its most acclaimed movies. 

Without any hesitation, I headed to Reading Cinemas Manville and secured my ticket on Saturday, Dec. 27, at a late-night showing with a decently sized crowd. As the players put down their paddles, I was left with one question: did this movie climb the ranks to become one of the year’s best, or was it also enjoyable as missing a ping-pong ball on the first swing? 

Serving the Ball

Set in 1950s New York, Marty Supreme focuses on Marty Mauser, a professional table tennis player who strives to be the best in the world. However, his dreams are not taken seriously by those around him, despite his commitment to the sport and determined personality. To prove himself, he goes to great lengths to show his detractors – and the world – what he beholds, leading him on an intense mental journey to achieve his ultimate goal. But along the way, Mauser gets involved in many other personal matters which introduce him to a darker path that threatens to shatter his upstanding reputation.

Directed by Josh Safdie – known for co-directing films like Good Time and Uncut Gems with his brother, Benny – the film features an all-star cast including Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, and Fran Drescher. Additionally, the film stars familiar media personalities in their mainstream acting debuts, such as musician Tyler Okonma – also known as Tyler, the Creator – film director Abel Ferrara, and Shark Tank’s Kevin “Mr. Wonderful” O’Leary.

This film absolutely astounded me, in how it was not the movie I was expecting it to be. Based on the trailers, I went into this film anticipating an inspirational underdog story, or at least some type of uplifting story centered around table tennis. However, what I was given was one of the most creative and unforgettable movies to come out this year, especially in how it subverted my expectations and provided something new. 

The screenplay is fascinating, in how it takes the core concept of an underdog story and finds ways to expand it into something more. Rather than follow the standard formula of introducing a troubled protagonist, establishing their goal, and showing the progress of achieving said goal – which could be hinted at in the trailers – the film instead tackles its story as more of a character study, with some aspects of an underdog story scattered throughout. From the moment it begins, the movie establishes Mauser’s desires and life goals, while the rest of the runtime is devoted to how far he pushes himself to get what he really wants.

It makes for an unexpectedly intense and unpredictable story, as Mauser goes to far lengths, committing unbelievable actions to satisfy those around him and achieve what he wants. There were many moments throughout the runtime when my jaw was left on the ground by how shocked I was at the onscreen events – an example is a scene early in the film when Mauser attempts to gather money to make a key trip. The resulting film is one that takes the basic concepts of an inspirational tale, particularly in proving oneself and chasing greatness, and flips them on its head to provide a new and shocking take on a familiar concept. 

Not to mention, the screenplay is further benefitted by an expertly-balanced tone, which combines all the intense thrills and character drama with occasional humor. Most of the laughworthy moments in the film come from the snarkiness in Chalamet’s interactions and line delivery, but there are also aspects of other forms of humor, such as unexpected physical pratfalls and other exaggerated scenarios. As a result, the film balances out all the intensity with occasional laughs to keep viewers engaged and enlightened, providing some refreshingly lighthearted moments amid all the shock. 

All of these factors combined lead to one of 2025’s most impeccably crafted screenplays, especially in how it develops Mauser as a character. However, the biggest nitpick I have with the movie also comes from the writing: the way some of its subplots come to a close. Generally speaking, the movie balances out all of its side stories – which usually focus on Mauser’s relationship with another character – quite well, as they all tie together appropriately and never feel too crammed into the runtime. 

That said, a select few of the subplots or character relationships, such as ones involving Okonma’s and Paltrow’s characters, that concluded a bit suddenly for my liking, especially with the significance they play on Mauser’s life and the overall plot. I would have liked to see one or two more scenes at the film’s overall conclusion which provided a bit more closure as to what happened to these fascinating characters after the film’s main events. Though this did not affect my overall enjoyment of the movie, I would have appreciated a more conclusive ending to these character arcs which hold great promise.

Players at the Ready

Part of what makes this movie so special is its characters, who are not only performed expertly, but also have believable motivations which push each of them to great lengths. Without spoiling too much about the film itself, I will say that along with Mauser, every other character in this movie has some sort of antagonistic motivation or moment. As such, though they may not inherently be all villains, it makes for a cast of characters who are as enthralling as they are flawed in personality, resulting in many high-stakes scenarios which leave a massive impact on the surrounding ensemble. 

The most notable character to possess these traits is Mauser himself, who completely stunned me in how he was portrayed. There’s a lot I could discuss about this character, but for the sake of preventing spoilers, I won’t go too in depth. That said, his role in the movie is much grander – and arguably a bit more sinister – than promoted in the trailers, as his character does many disingenuous and despicable actions to achieve his ultimate goal of greatness. This approach not only serves as a great example of a subversion of expectations, but it also paints an effective picture of a flawed individual, who has inspiring goals but goes to unspeakable lengths to reach them. 

Adding to Mauser’s incredible development and unforgettable personality is Chalamet’s performance, which could be his strongest one to date. In recent times, Chalamet has climbed the ranks to become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars – even landing massive roles in blockbusters like Wonka and Dune. But his performance in Marty Supreme is what elevates the movie into something grander, largely thanks to his boisterous personality. 

Mauser as a character sports strong traits of determination, desperation, and narcissism, all carried on a backbone of sarcastic humor and straightforward delivery. Chalamet delivers this varied personality in his own unique way – primarily in his dialogue and quick-thinking – while impressively performing many ping-pong matches with fast speed and choreography. His physical and emotional commitments to the character result in not just one of the year’s best characters, but also a standout role in his entire career.

The rest of the ensemble performs their characters impeccably, each with their own distinct style and enthusiasm which meshes incredibly well with Mauser’s personality. Namely, I loved Paltrow’s portrayal of famed actress Kay Stone – who sympathizes for Mauser while standing her own ground – and A’zion’s highly emotional portrayal of his childhood friend, Rachel Mizler. Even many of the non-actors perform their roles in an unforgettable way, including Ferrara as menacing mobster Ezra Mishkin and O’Leary as stern businessman Milton Rockwell. 

There is not one bad performance in this movie, resulting in an unforgettable array of individuals who add to the movie’s intensity and amplify the overall experience.

Match Point

The dark route this film relies on is amplified by the many outstanding technical aspects, particularly the editing, which perfectly encapsulates feeling of intensity, even in the most basic onscreen scenarios. Namely, sequences which see Mauser play table tennis with other players from around the world are edited in an almost anxiety-inducing way. 

The film utilizes frequent cuts and quick camera movements between two players, along with wide shots which showcase the grand scale of the match area and where the ball could head. Mixed with the expert choreography and performers constantly running around the arena, these sequences pick up the pace as viewers eagerly wonder who will get the next point.

Surrounding these sequences is a gorgeous recreation of a 1950s setting, which can be highlighted in many ways. Whether it be the mostly muted colors in the costume design – with a heavy emphasis on colors like blue and black – or the creative makeup and hairstyling on all the characters, the film transports viewers into the older time period flawlessly, with each of the actors becoming one with their roles to further amplify the experience. This can also be seen in the cinematography, which is similar to the costume design in how it showcases a mostly darker color scheme. 

The camera work highlights many aspects of 1950s New York, including through darkly shaded buildings which frequently surround scenes, and a heavy emphasis on nighttime locations which can coincide with the darkness of the tone. Other locations – such as a desolated house in the middle of a field and an outdoor stage with a ping pong table at the forefront – make use of more open space to provide an almost isolated feel. 

In the case of the latter, it serves as the set piece for the film’s climax, leading it to combine its open environment with intense editing techniques and a heavy emphasis on sound design, leading to a conclusion which excelled in building anxiety and paid off in an unforgettable fashion. 

Further amplifying the experience is the music, which succeeds in both the score and soundtrack. Whether it be the varied tracks by composer Daniel Lopatin – which utilize different instruments and symphonies to simulate unique feelings of joy, fear, and tenseness – or the soundtrack, which features classic songs like Alphaville’s “Forever Young” and Peter Gabriel’s “I Have the Touch,” the music always ties in appropriately with the onscreen events, adding a greater sense of feeling to each scene. Ultimately, the music’s utilization makes for a phenomenal experience all around, adding to the film’s identity in a way which flawlessly enhances the overall impact.

A Crowning Victory

Overall, though some of the subplots do end a bit abruptly, Marty Supreme is a fantastic filmmaking achievement through its incredible performances, strong character writing, intense editing, balanced tone, and expertise in subverting expectations. The trailers may not have explored the full extent of this movie’s story, but the final product is completely unforgettable in how it takes the basic aspects of an underdog story, and flips them on their heads to provide something new. 

If you’re a fan of Safdie’s previous works, intense dramatic stories, or black comedy, I’d definitely recommend giving this movie a watch, especially ahead of awards season. Marty Supreme is currently playing at theaters all over the country, including at the nearby Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Mansfield. If you want to see an unpredictable character study which is filled to the brim with intensity, this is the perfect film for you. 

This movie completely shattered my expectations by providing a new twist on a familiar concept, resulting in a victorious game worthy of helming the championship trophy.

My Rating