Why Marty Supreme’s unlikable characters are still a reason it deserves to win best picture at the 2026 Oscars

by

Josh Safdie’s energetic sports drama, Marty Supreme, is a strong contender for success at this year’s Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The film, often called the “ping-pong movie,” has earned nine nominations, including nods for Best Director (Josh Safdie) and Best Actor (Timothée Chalamet), as well as a Best Picture nomination. However, it faces tough competition from films like Ryan Coogler’s hit horror Sinners, Chloé Zhao’s moving adaptation Hamnet, and Paul Thomas Anderson’s ambitious political epic One Battle after Another.

Despite a strong lineup of films this year, ‘Marty Supreme’ truly stands out. It’s a captivating story about how easily ambition can turn into obsession, and what makes it special is that it focuses on flawed, unlikeable characters – yet it manages to make them incredibly memorable.

Taking cues from table tennis star Marty Reisman, director Josh Safdie’s latest film—his first solo effort since working with his brother Benny—follows Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet), a confident New York shoe salesman from the 1950s who has plenty of ego and drive. Marty isn’t a typical hero; he’s conceited, self-centered, and draining to be around. He confuses confidence with being better than others and sees people as tools to get ahead. Without Chalamet’s and Safdie’s skill, the character would be unlikeable.

Timothée Chalamet gives the best performance of his career in this film. He fully embodies the character of Marty, keeping us invested even when Marty makes questionable choices. The role requires a difficult balance of charisma, confidence, and emotional openness, and Chalamet handles it with remarkable skill. Having already won a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice award, this performance feels like the one that could finally earn him an Oscar.

Safdie also recognizes that a movie doesn’t have to be comfortable to be compelling. The fact that Marty is unlikeable isn’t a weakness—it’s what drives the story. He’s skilled at playing the game and even better at talking his way through it, allowing him to climb to international prominence with the help of a shrewd financier (Kevin O’Leary) and his glamorous, yet equally self-interested, Hollywood wife (Gwyneth Paltrow). Together, they build a world where personality and persuasion are valued above all else, and where ethics are flexible – and Safdie expertly uses this unsettling dynamic to create a thrilling film.

Even minor characters aren‘t simply good or bad; they all operate in shades of grey. Marty’s girlfriend, Rachel, seems initially like a sympathetic figure, hurt by past relationships, but she’s also shown to be deceptive. Similarly, Marty’s friend Wally, played with subtlety by Tyler Okonma, appears reliable at first, but is later revealed to be just as capable of dishonesty. Unlike other films with obvious villains like neo-Nazis or vampires, the flaws in Marty Supreme’s characters feel realistic and deeply ingrained, forcing the audience to question who, if anyone, they should be rooting for.

The film’s most genuine moments come from its supporting characters: Marty’s childhood friend, Dion, and Koto Kawaguchi, a deaf table tennis player who delivers a powerful performance that balances out Marty’s over-the-top behavior. While these characters offer brief glimpses of sincerity, it’s the more complex personalities that truly captivate the audience. By avoiding simplistic heroes, the filmmakers create a film that stands out from others.

Though it appears fast-paced and energetic, Marty Supreme is actually a humorous yet sad commentary on society. While other films focus on common themes like ambition, family, and rebellion, this one explores a more complex idea: our obsession with winning and whether striving for success comes at the expense of meaningful relationships, kindness, and love.

The movie’s themes powerfully come together in its final scenes. Timothée Chalamet gives a heartfelt performance as Marty’s life reaches a critical turning point. This moment changes how we understand everything we’ve seen, presenting it with stark honesty. Combined with a brilliant closing credits sequence, these final minutes solidify the film as one of the year’s best.

Though One Battle won at the BAFTAs, Timothée Chalamet is finally receiving the acting praise he deserves. He’s recently been making confident statements about aiming for excellence, which has led some to wonder if he’s starting to identify strongly with the roles he plays.

Ever since Josh Safdie began working without his brother, people have been watching to see what he’d do next. His new film, Marty Supreme, shows he’s a confident and unique artist. While stories about flawed heroes aren’t unusual, it’s rare to create a lead character who is so unlikeable at first, yet still manages to win over the audience.

As a film lover, I truly believe the Academy should recognize ‘Marty Supreme.’ It’s a bold, unapologetic film that respects its audience, trusting us to appreciate nuance and depth instead of simple, feel-good stories. It really proves that a movie doesn’t need a ‘good’ protagonist to be great. Watching Marty’s rise feels less like a long journey and more like a thrilling race, all thanks to its incredibly complex characters. The film completely captivates you, even though you might not like the people on screen. And that, to me, is pure magic – turning flawed, even unlikeable characters into something utterly compelling. That’s exactly why it deserves Best Picture.

Authors

Alex Berry

Read More

2026-03-12 12:06