Review: Marty Supreme Explores Narcissism In An Excellently Funny Way
December 9, 2025
Whatever you might be expecting out of Marty Supreme, the movie blows those expectations fully out of the water. It is an unbelievable sports comedy-drama. I can’t emphasize the unbelievable part enough.
Marty Supreme has no problem taking both its humor and narrative to total extremes. For the most part, this is a good thing, helping establish a unique identity for the film. At the same time, though, Marty Supreme’s issues as a movie stem directly from its weak attempts to reel back from its more unserious side.
For those who are interested in watching simply because Timothée Chalamet is involved, I can’t say you’ll be disappointed. The acting, in general, is very strong in Marty Supreme. Chalamet is at his best, but Marty Supreme wouldn’t be as entertaining as it is without the strong cast around him.
Characters: 14/15 — Supreme Appeal
Marty Supreme is filled with incredibly well-written, and well-realized, characters. Not only are they distinct and memorable, but there is something deeply charismatic about most of them. Their personalities are effectively conveyed, particularly those that get to bounce off Marty Mauser’s arrogance and narcissism. In reality, Marty’s flaws are hardly unique to him. The majority of the cast is problematic in their own way. The sheer deplorableness emanating from the characters in Marty Supreme is a beauty to witness.
Without a doubt, though, Timothée Chalamet as Marty Mauser is the main highlight of Marty Supreme. Marty’s destructive, inflated sense of self-importance really comes through. Chalamet is able to navigate between Marty’s witty and more pensive sides better than the movie itself. Marty’s main character syndrome is brought out to the fullest, thanks to Chalamet’s ability to dominate any scene. His presence can always be felt.
Despite being an absolutely awful person, Marty is a deeply endearing character. You just can’t help but root for him, even as he actively destroys everyone’s lives. Marty Supreme is all about being a fairly grounded kind of ridiculous, and its characters help build that up to great heights.
Atmosphere: 13/15 — Totally Timeless
For a movie set in the 1950s, Marty Supreme feels relatively timeless. What’s interesting is that this is fully intentional. That timelessness actually indirectly informs audiences about how Marty fits into the world around him.
World War II is from an era before Marty. American pride is of little value to him, just a marketing tool in his quest for fame. The contemporary society of the 1950s is no better, weighed down too much by tradition. The use of songs from the 80s may then seem like a weird fit, but it perfectly complements Marty. He is someone who is ahead of his time. Simultaneously, however, he tries to fit in with old money, which is where the Baroque part of the soundtrack fits in.
The clever thematic dynamics aside, Marty Supreme develops a world that just feels right. It has nothing to prove. The world is cohesive and does everything it needs to in order to fit the narrative. The movie, overall, has a bit of a trashy vibe, but that’s not a bad thing for Marty Supreme. The movie’s lack of a filter when it comes to its humor makes it all the more memorable.
Narrative: 11/15 — A Messy Journey
Really, Marty Supreme only feels weak in its narrative direction. Its lack of a proper, satisfying conclusion certainly doesn’t help. Even after 149 minutes, Marty Supreme still feels like it needs more development. There are just too many narrative points and relationships that end up undercooked.
The pacing is especially strange. At times, it feels like the movie advances too quickly. Other times, it moves forward way too slowly. Marty Supreme is just really adamant about driving home the point that Marty will do anything to get by. Ultimately, I just think that this could have been handled better.
Lastly, I do want to point out that the table-tennis aspect of the film isn’t as important as it might seem. It’s a major motivator for Marty, but the film is more about his destructive narcissistic personality. This isn’t a point of criticism. Potential viewers are simply better off knowing what to actually expect. Calling Marty Supreme a sports-centric movie would be a stretch. Its appeal goes beyond that niche.
Cinematography: 13/15 — Full Investment
Marty Supreme really leans into the vintage aesthetic. Being shot on 35mm film is one way that the movie goes about that approach, and it is a beautiful look for the movie. On the big screen, Marty Supreme looks surprisingly crisp, the film grain softening the image just a bit to add an extra amount of old-timey authenticity to the visuals.
One thing definitely worth of praise are the shot angles, which convey just about every bit of action and personality as is necessary. The table-tennis matches in the movie aren’t particularly long affairs, but they feel properly captivating, thanks to the camera work. Marty Supreme, in general, is great when it comes to showing off visual impact.
