Key Takeaways
- Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor at the Critics Choice Awards for Marty Supreme
- The win significantly strengthens his Oscars momentum ahead of March
- Marty Supreme, directed by Josh Safdie, has emerged as an unexpected global hit
- Chalamet’s intense preparation and viral campaign helped elevate the film’s profile
Timothée Chalamet Wins Best Actor at Critics Choice Awards
Timothée Chalamet’s Oscars campaign received a major boost after he won Best Actor at the Critics Choice Awards for his performance in Marty Supreme. The ceremony marked the first major event of this year’s Hollywood awards season, making the win especially significant as Oscar voting approaches.
At just 30 years old, Chalamet continues to solidify his place among Hollywood’s elite, defeating strong competition that included Leonardo DiCaprio. While DiCaprio’s One Battle After Another dominated the night with wins for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay, Chalamet’s performance stood out as the evening’s most celebrated acting achievement.
Inside Marty Supreme: A Career-Defining Role
In Marty Supreme, Chalamet portrays a 1950s table tennis champion driven by ambition, ego, and the desire for fame in a sport largely ignored in the United States at the time. The film is loosely inspired by the life of real-life table tennis star Marty Reisman, whose unconventional journey made him a cult figure in the sport.
Directed by Josh Safdie, the film blends character study with period drama, offering a flawed yet deeply human protagonist. The project has become an unlikely international success, helped in part by Chalamet’s viral promotional campaign and his reputation for immersive performances.
Chalamet’s Dedication to the Role
Known for fully committing to his characters, Chalamet trained rigorously in table tennis to authentically portray the role. The preparation adds to a growing list of transformative performances from the actor, who previously earned Oscar nominations and recently portrayed Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.
Accepting the award, Chalamet praised Safdie’s storytelling approach, highlighting the importance of narratives that avoid moralizing and instead trust audiences to interpret complex characters on their own.
Oscars Momentum Builds Ahead of March Ceremony
The Critics Choice Awards are widely viewed as a strong predictor of Oscars success. With the Golden Globes scheduled for next weekend and the Academy Awards set for March 15, Chalamet now emerges as a frontrunner for Best Actor.
Industry observers note that awards from major critics’ groups often provide crucial momentum during the final stretch of Oscar campaigning—especially in competitive acting categories.
Other Major Critics Choice Winners
The ceremony also honored standout performances and projects across film and television, including:
- Best Actress: Jessie Buckley for Hamnet
- Best Supporting Actor: Jacob Elordi for Frankenstein
- Best Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan for Weapons
- Best Animated Feature & Song: KPop Demon Hunters
On the television side:
- Best Drama Series: The Pitt
- Best Comedy Series: The Studio
- Best Limited Series: Adolescence
Why This Win Matters for Chalamet’s Career
Chalamet has openly spoken about his long-term ambition to win multiple Academy Awards, and this Critics Choice victory positions him closer than ever to that goal. With strong industry backing, critical acclaim, and a performance that resonates across audiences, Marty Supreme may mark one of the defining chapters of his career.
As awards season continues, all eyes will be on whether this momentum carries Chalamet all the way to Oscar night.
