Starring Timothée Chalamet as a 1950s ping-pong prodigy, the film arrives with a staggering 96% Rotten Tomatoes score and the momentum of a record-breaking limited release. Whether you’re a fan of high-stakes “Safdie-style” tension or just want to see Chalamet’s most transformative performance yet, Marty Supreme is the high-voltage event of the Christmas box office.
IMDb
The Plot: A Hustler’s Pursuit of Greatness
Loosely inspired by the life of table tennis legend Marty Reisman, the film follows Marty Mauser (Chalamet), a relentless shoe salesman in 1950s Manhattan who believes he can talk—and play—his way into history. Marty is a man possessed by a single obsession: becoming the greatest ping-pong player in the world.
The story tracks his manic journey from gritty basements in the Lower East Side to international championships in London, Cairo, and Tokyo. Along the way, Marty’s unshakeable self-confidence serves as both his greatest weapon and his biggest liability as he navigates a complex relationship with a wealthy socialite, Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow), and avoids the fallout of his own reckless schemes.
Critics’ Reviews: “A Kinetic Wonder”
The critical consensus has been nearly unanimous, hailing the film as a masterpiece of momentum.
- Rotten Tomatoes: Currently sits at a Certified Fresh 95%.
Reviewers are calling it a career-best performance for Timothée Chalamet, with Variety noting that he makes the “instantly iconic” character feel both mesmerizing and maddening. Award buzz is already building, with expectations for multiple nominations, including a likely Academy Award nod and a potential win, placing him in direct competition with Leonardo DiCaprio. Critics have also praised Josh Safdie’s “gutter poetry” direction, along with Darius Khondji’s lush, atmospheric cinematography.
Budget and Box Office Expectations
Budget: With a reported production cost of $70 million, it is one of A24’s most expensive films.
Projections: Industry analysts are tracking the film for a $12M–$18M domestic opening weekend. With “Christmas legs” and strong word-of-mouth, experts believe it could eventually surpass Everything Everywhere All At Once to become the studio’s highest-grossing film.
