If you skipped the theater because the words “ping-pong biopic” sounded like a nap, you messed up. But don’t worry—Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme just hit Amazon Prime, and it’s officially time to see why Timothée Chalamet is currently the frontrunner for Best Actor.
Forget the polite sports dramas of the past. This isn’t Rocky; it’s Uncut Gems with a paddle.
The Hustle is Real
Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, a table tennis prodigy in 1950s New York who is as talented as he is insufferable. He’s obsessed, he’s neurotic, and he treats the game like a blood sport. Chalamet completely sheds his “heartthrob” skin here—he’s twitchy, arrogant, and genuinely hard to like, which makes the performance his best to date.
Why It Hits Different
The Safdie Energy: Even without his brother Benny, Josh Safdie keeps the tension at a 10. The camera is always too close, the score is always a little too loud, and the pacing never lets you breathe.
The Paltrow Factor: Gwyneth Paltrow’s return to acting is the secret weapon. She plays a high-society enabler who matches Marty’s chaos beat for beat. It’s the weirdest, coolest pairing of the year.
The Visuals: Cinematographer Darius Khondji makes 1950s Manhattan look like a fever dream. It’s grainy, stylish, and expensive-looking all at once.
The Sharp Take
At 150 minutes, the movie is a marathon. It’s loud, abrasive, and will probably make your heart rate spike. If you’re looking for a cozy movie night, keep scrolling. But if you want to see a masterclass in ego and obsession—and a cameo by Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary that you have to see to believe—this is mandatory viewing.
Safdie and Chalamet have turned a niche sport into a high-stakes epic. It’s the most exhausting fun you’ll have on your couch this week.
