A compelling new film, “Marty Supreme,” has made a powerful opening weekend splash at the box office. Awards columnist Glenn Whipp examines how well-crafted marketing propelled its popularity and sparked early Oscar buzz.

Built like a two-by-four with acne scars and a pencil mustache, Marty Mauser is a paradox: an underdog who overflows with unearned self-confidence. In “Marty Supreme,” Timothée Chalamet’s brash, ping-pong-wielding performance strikes the thin line between mesmerizing and maddening.

Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme took the New York Film Festival by surprise, debuting to enthusiastic early reactions from viewers and critics alike. Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of a determined ping-pong prodigy has been hailed as mesmerizing, with many calling the film the best of the year so far.