Directed by Josh Safdie and co-written with Ronald Bronstein, Marty Supreme is a compelling drama rooted in the biopic genre, featuring a star-studded cast including Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler the Creator, and Odessa A'zion. Produced by A24, the film is scheduled for release in France on February 18, 2026. According to American press sources, it takes a loose inspiration from the life of table tennis champion Marty Reisman, delving into the rise of a New Yorker outsider in 1950s America—blending athletic achievement with a compelling portrayal of self-presentation and identity.
The story follows Marty Mauser, a young man from a modest background, determined to make his mark in a highly competitive world driven by appearances and spectacle. In post-war New York, table tennis is still an emerging sport, played in smoky clubs, atop city roofs, or within East Coast universities. Seeing an opportunity for recognition, Marty develops an unyielding ambition, convinced that self-belief alone can defy the odds and shape his destiny.
Throughout his journey, his decisions become increasingly daring. Between triumphant moments, deceptions, and opportunistic tactics, he crafts a public persona that sometimes blurs the line with his true capabilities. The film explores this pursuit of fame against the backdrop of a man who is perpetually teetering on the edge of failure, in an environment where the line between brilliance and fraudulence is dangerously thin.
Josh Safdie, acclaimed for Good Time and Uncut Gems, teams up once again with Ronald Bronstein for a project inspired by the autobiographical book of Marty Reisman, uncovered during the making of Uncut Gems. Fascinated by this outsider figure, the director delved into the subculture of New York’s table tennis scene of the 1950s, a world filled with loners and schemers. Filming took place across Manhattan and other international locations, including the pyramids of Egypt, to emphasize the larger-than-life, dreamlike quality of the protagonist’s journey.
The production relies heavily on detailed set and costume design. Lead designer Jack Fisk meticulously recreated a historic New York ping-pong club that no longer exists, drawing from architectural archives to ensure authenticity. Match scenes were shot with multiple cameras placed close to the action, capturing the speed and intensity of the exchanges. The original score, composed by Daniel Lopatin (a.k.a. Oneohtrix Point Never), continues his collaboration with the filmmakers from Uncut Gems and unfolds in three distinct movements, blending mid-1950s sounds with modern synthetic textures.
With an estimated budget ranging from $70 million to $90 million, according to American industry outlets, this feature film stands out as one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by A24, marking the studio's shift towards larger-scale productions. The decision to cast Timothée Chalamet, who was approached by Safdie early in the writing process, continues the studio's tradition of focusing on young, complex characters driven by relentless ambition.
Marty Supreme, directed by Josh Safdie, continues the frenetic, tense style the filmmakers have developed with their brother, while also marking a new chapter in their portraits of ambitious outcasts. Led by Timothée Chalamet, the film follows the chaotic rise of a 1950s New York ping-pong player—a charismatic, compulsive liar convinced that the world will always bow to his will. Part urban odyssey, dark comedy, and chronicle of a flawed but captivating impostor, Marty Supreme isn't just a sports biopic; it's a vivid portrait of a hustler who can't stop playing—not even with his own life.
Right from the start, one element stands out in Marty Supreme: the central role of music. The film’s opening establishes a rhythm and tone through a carefully curated soundtrack, featuring tracks like Forever Young. These songs do more than underscore the scenes—they serve as a sardonic commentary on the protagonist’s illusions of greatness and eternal youth. Josh Safdie uses music as a dramatic engine, speeding up scenes, amplifying euphoria, or emphasizing moments of downfall. It’s a key ingredient in this “overheated” film, always teetering on the edge of losing control.
This musical energy mirrors Marty’s journey—an underdog with raw talent but unstable, a compulsive liar and relentless showman. The story never films ping-pong as a noble or strategic sport: instead, it turns the game into a stage, a performance space where Marty seeks recognition more than victory. Whether he shifts in seconds from bravado to opportunism, the film highlights his survival instinct without judging him outright. Marty is a master of deception, convinced that faith in himself is enough to bend the world: “If I believe in myself, the money will follow.”
The picaresque structure of the narrative amplifies this sense of ongoing instability. Marty Supreme unfolds through a series of memorable—sometimes absurd, sometimes humiliating—scenes rather than through traditional dramatic progression. The iconic bathtub scene going through the floor or the slapstick of the spanking demonstrate this desire to craft unforgettable, almost exaggerated cinema moments, painting a portrait of an over-the-top character. While some might find this approach overly loose, it reflects a compulsive leap forward, an inability to slow down.
This stylistic choice partly explains the divided critical reception: some see this fragmented, frenetic rhythm as embodying an organic, vibrant filmmaking style characteristic of Safdie; others find it erratic, exhausting, more fascinated by the anti-hero than the world around him. Yet, this very instability is the film’s core theme: Marty isn’t a tragic hero, but a charismatic loser, convinced he's a genius while making mistake after mistake, leading to a brutal fall that cracks the myth he has built for himself.
At the heart of the film, Timothée Chalamet delivers a compelling performance filled with cockiness, nervous charm, and relentless volatility. His Marty is a dazzling loser, preening before the Harlem Globetrotters just for a few dollars, fabricating stories that remain oddly endearing. He perfectly embodies the American archetype of the self-made impostor—believing that spectacle matters as much as success itself. The film relies heavily on this portrayal, which fuels its energy and coherence.
Marty Supreme mainly appeals to viewers drawn to chaotic rise stories and flamboyant anti-hero portraits—more captivating than model citizens. Those who enjoy winding trajectories, characters in perpetual escape mode, and films prioritizing movement over clear psychology will find it a thrilling ride. It will also attract fans interested in watching Timothée Chalamet’s evolution, as this role could mark a turning point in his career.
Conversely, viewers expecting a classic sports movie focused on competition and performance may find themselves confused. Ping-pong here is merely a backdrop—a symbol of Marty’s obsession with victory and recognition. The film can also feel draining due to its pace and fractured structure, sometimes seeming more like aimless wandering than storytelling.
But it’s precisely in this controlled chaos that the film finds its strength. By rejecting the straightforward narrative of a sports biopic, Safdie paints a vibrant portrait of a flamboyant impostor—an emblem of a America where success is as much about belief as merit. Marty Supreme is a film about movement, illusion, and performance, driven by a powerful central performance and a rare cinematic energy. An energetic, sometimes exhausting work that’s impossible to ignore.
Marty Supreme
Film | 2026
Release in theaters: February 18, 2026
Streaming premiere on [Platform] - date to be announced
Biopic | Duration: 2h29
Directed by Josh Safdie | Starring Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler, the Creator, Odessa A’zion
Original title: Marty Supreme
Country: United States
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