The film, a chaotic sports drama starring Timothée Chalamet, has been officially shortlisted in six below-the-line categories for the 2026 Critics Choice Awards. This strong showing demonstrates that the A24 film’s ambitious 1950s New York setting, frantic editing, and unique casting are resonating deeply with critics, setting the stage for major nominations.
Marty Supreme is his first solo-directed feature since 2008.
Josh Safdie and Timothée Chalamet attend the NYFF63 Secret Screening during the 63rd New York Film Festival at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on October 06, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for FLC)
A Look at the Shortlist Categories
Marty Supreme, which premiered as a surprise screening at the New York Film Festival (NYFF) on October 6th and is scheduled for a wide release on December 25, 2025, earned nods in the following highly competitive technical and artistic categories:
- Best Casting and Ensemble
- Best Cinematography (Darius Khondji)
- Best Costume Design (Miyako Bellizzi)
- Best Editing (Josh Safdie and Ronald Bronstein)
- Best Production Design (Jack Fisk and Adam Willis)
- Best Score (Daniel Lopatin, who also received a Hollywood Music in Media Award nomination)
Timothée Chalamet as Marty Mauser (2025) / IMDb
The Film’s Plot: Ping-Pong and Paranoia
Set in the frenetic underworld of 1950s New York City, Marty Supreme is loosely inspired by the life of legendary table tennis hustler Marty Reisman. Timothée Chalamet stars as Marty Mauser, a driven, cocky, and borderline delusional Jewish ping-pong prodigy desperate to elevate the sport to greatness and achieve immortality. The film charts Marty’s ambition and reckless schemes, which entangle him with both the ping-pong mafia and a sophisticated, married actress, Kay (Gwyneth Paltrow). The narrative focuses on the intense psychological pressure and self-sabotage that accompany Marty’s relentless quest for fame.
