Inside Marty Supreme: Josh Safdie’s Obsessive Eye for Costume Detail

Filmmaker Josh Safdie is known for his electrifying storytelling, but with Marty Supreme, he’s also turned heads for his relentless focus on costume and set design. Costume designer Miyako Bellizzi shared that Safdie was determined to authentically capture the fashion of Jewish immigrants in the 1950s. Every element, from the outerwear to the most intimate garments, was carefully considered to ensure that Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Marty Mauser felt true to the era. Bellizzi drew inspiration from a documentary by Ken Jacobs, which she and Safdie studied to nail the look and feel of the time.

Chalamet Embraces Safdie’s Vision for Marty Mauser

Chalamet’s performance as Marty Mauser stands out not just for his acting chops but for the character’s unique style, which became a defining part of his on-screen presence. The actor credited Safdie for shaping Marty’s appearance, explaining that the director ’s attention to detail changed his entire approach to the role. Chalamet described how Safdie’s choices, like having him wear strong prescription contacts beneath his glasses, were designed to physically challenge him and enhance the character’s sense of isolation.

That was all at Josh’s discretion; the amazing eye for detail he had, he just wanted to paint a portrait of a man on the Lower East Side in the ’50s at a time when self-care was different, to put it in modern terms. And as far as the glasses go, where I was wearing -6.5 prescription contacts to offset what the actual lenses and glasses were doing, he wanted from a performance perspective to impair me, so it can feel like I was living in a fishbowl, and see what that did to me in my body and my spirit as a human but equally to the audience, to the visual effect that I had on camera, to show a guy who’s living a life as an outsider, and a life of impairment.

Building Tension Through Visuals and Storytelling

Marty Supreme takes the high-stakes, fast-paced energy that the Safdie Brothers are known for and pushes it even further. From the opening scenes, Marty’s boldness and willingness to take risks land him in increasingly difficult situations. Instead of slowing down, he doubles down—gambling, hustling, and scheming his way into deeper trouble. Even when it seems like the tension might break, Marty’s relentless drive pulls the audience right back into the thick of it. This approach gives the film a unique edge, making it both polarizing and magnetic for viewers, and it’s a big part of why it’s been a box office hit.

Key Details and Cast

Marty Supreme is directed by Josh Safdie and stars Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler the Creator, Odessa A’zion, and Kevin O’Leary. The film has earned a 95% critics score and 83% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with an 8.3/10 rating on IMDb. At the box office, it’s pulled in $19.4 million. The movie is now playing in theaters across the U.S.