Oscar Buzz Erupts as Chalamet and DiCaprio Face Off
A heated debate has swept through film circles as Timothée Chalamet’s performance in Marty Supreme is pitted against Leonardo DiCaprio’s role in One Battle After Another. Who’s really ahead in the Oscar race?
Film fans are in a lather after YouTuber Schaffrillas (James Phyrillas) sparked a lively back-and-forth, claiming Timothée Chalamet’s turn as a 1950s ping-pong hustler in Marty Supreme leaves Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance as a jittery revolutionary in One Battle After Another in the dust. The comment set off a wave of reactions, with punters weighing in on which actor deserves the top gong this awards season.
Fans Split Over Acting Styles
Schaffrillas didn’t mince words, saying,
No offense to Leo's great performance in OBAA, but the idea that it's even in the same league as Timothee in Marty Supreme is hilarious
The post quickly fuelled Oscar speculation and highlighted the contrast between Chalamet’s bold transformation and DiCaprio’s understated approach. Some reckon DiCaprio’s knack for subtle comedy is underappreciated, while others argue Chalamet’s energy and period flair give Marty Supreme its edge.
Comments from film buffs show just how divided the crowd is. One fan wrote,
people really over hating on leo’s performance because it’s not as dramatic i think it’s greatness lies in its subtlety and comedy, and imo is a top 3 leo role
Another chimed in,
Chalamet is the next Daniel Day Lewis
While a third tried to keep things balanced,
It absolutely is in the same league as Timmy’s, and I’m a massive fan of Timmy’s performance. I think Timmy should win the Oscar because it would be amazing for him to win for an original role like this, but Leo is also amazing. Don’t need to knock one down to build up the other.
And one more,
They made Leo wait after like 4 Oscar’s winning performances, so I can see them making Timotee wait.
Box Office, Awards, and the Films in Focus
Marty Supreme, which premiered at NYFF in October and hit cinemas on Christmas Day, has been showered with praise for Chalamet’s standout performance, sharp direction, and a slick script. The film picked up three Golden Globe nominations and landed on several best-of-the-year lists. Meanwhile, One Battle After Another, which opened in September, raked in over $200 million and led the Golden Globe pack with nine nods.
Here’s a quick comparison: Marty Supreme is directed by Josh Safdie, with Chalamet leading a cast that includes Gwyneth Paltrow and Odessa A’Zion. The film runs for 150 minutes and had a budget of $60–70 million. One Battle After Another, helmed by Paul Thomas Anderson, stars DiCaprio alongside Sean Penn and Benicio del Toro, clocks in at 162 minutes, and cost between $130–175 million to make. Both films have made a splash with critics and audiences alike.
Chalamet on Tradition, Training, and Taking on Leo
Chalamet, who’s made a habit of releasing a film every December for the past seven years, says the timing has become a family tradition.
Now that I’ve got these movies coming out around Christmas, we’ve made it a little tradition in my family to see them together. My mom’s already seen Marty four times – that’s more than I have at this point! But my dad hasn’t seen it yet, so I told him, ‘Wait until we all watch it at Christmas!’
Set in 1950s Manhattan, Marty Supreme follows Marty Mauser, a ping-pong prodigy with his sights set on the world championships in Tokyo. Chalamet started training in table tennis back in 2018 after meeting director Josh Safdie, who built the role around him. Safdie said,
He was Timmy Supreme. I was really interested in working with that energy.
Chalamet drew on his family’s dance background to bring a balletic quality to his performance. He explained,
The more table tennis I watched, the more balletic I realized the movements were and how graceful they could be. I grew up watching lots of ballet and I feel like I incorporated more of my family’s dance background into this than I ever have on anything – even on something like Wonka.
Reflecting on the pressures of fame, he added,
But if you’re in a position like I’m in – where there’s an unusual amount of eyes or attention, or positive or negative affirmation – it’s all the more reason to be really sure-footed. Anybody in their life should feel strong in their foundation and who they are.
On going up against DiCaprio for the Oscar, Chalamet was gracious:
It’s a huge honour. His career speaks for itself, and his work in One Battle is tremendous.
AACTA Nods and the Oscar Race
The AACTA International Awards have named Chalamet and DiCaprio as frontrunners for Best Lead Actor, with both Marty Supreme and One Battle After Another up for Best Film. They’re up against Russell Crowe, Joel Edgerton, and Hugh Jackman. Other top contenders include Hamnet, Nuremberg, and Sinners. On the telly side, Jean Smart leads the Best Actress field for Hacks, while Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham, Gary Oldman, Seth Rogen, and Noah Wyle are in the running for Best Actor in a Series. The awards will be handed out on 6 February 2026 on the Gold Coast.
This international recognition has put Chalamet and DiCaprio at the centre of the Oscar conversation, with critics and fans alike dissecting every moment of their performances. Who’ll take home the Best Actor trophy? Let us know what you reckon.