Special "Lights, Camera, Action!": MARTY SUPREME by Josh Safdie.

Josh Safdie directs solo for the first time, also co-writing the screenplay with his longtime collaborator Ronald Bronstein.

Article by Marco Lorè

The story, loosely inspired by ping-pong champion Marty Reisman, is not a traditional biopic but rather a frenetic adventure-comedy, with dramatic undertones reminiscent of The Wolf of Wall Street or Catch Me If You Can.

Timothée Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, a young man determined to chase a seemingly ridiculous dream—becoming a ping-pong legend—in a world that doesn’t take him seriously. The actor undertook intense preparation: training with ex-professionals, performing stunts himself, even altering his gaze with prescription glasses and contact lenses—total commitment.

Alongside him is an eclectic and fascinating cast: Gwyneth Paltrow as an actress drawn into Marty’s orbit, in a complicated and “very, very, very” sensual relationship; Tyler, the Creator in his most substantial film role to date; Kevin O’Leary, Fran Drescher (as Marty’s mother), Odessa A’zion, Penn Jillette, Abel Ferrara, and Philippe Petit—all adding unique textures to the narrative.

The film promises gritty realism through a lyrically visual lens.

Safdie preserves his trademark visceral, unpredictable energy, surprising with every frame.

The retro 1950s setting, the high-stakes ping-pong battles, and meticulously reconstructed Lower East Side locations create a world that is both stylish and tense.

Marty Supreme presents itself as an unconventional sports film: a bold mix of comedy, visceral drama, retro flair, and pure Safdie-style madness.

Chalamet’s explosive performance, the eccentric ensemble cast, and the charged, unpredictable aesthetic promise a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience.

An ambitious, noisy experiment—exactly what one would hope for from Josh Safdie.

In theaters this Christmas.

Courtesy of A24