Oscar Buzz Erupts as Chalamet and DiCaprio Face Off

Film enthusiasts are in the midst of a lively dispute after YouTuber Schaffrillas (James Phyrillas) sparked controversy by suggesting Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of a 1950s table tennis hustler in Marty Supreme far surpasses Leonardo DiCaprio’s nuanced depiction of a suspicious revolutionary in One Battle After Another.

Fans Weigh In: Subtlety Versus Transformation

Schaffrillas’s post has set social media alight, with many now speculating about the upcoming Best Actor Oscar. The discussion has highlighted the contrast between Chalamet’s bold transformation and DiCaprio’s understated comedic approach. Some viewers argue that DiCaprio’s performance is unfairly overlooked due to its subtlety, while others maintain that Chalamet’s period-specific energy and charisma elevate Josh Safdie’s gritty drama.

Several comments from fans illustrate the divide:

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

Chalamet is the next Daniel Day Lewis

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.

They made Leo wait after like 4 Oscar’s winning performances, so I can see them making Timotee wait.

Comparing the Contenders: Marty Supreme and One Battle After Another

Marty Supreme premiered at the New York Film Festival in October and arrived in cinemas on Christmas Day, earning widespread acclaim for Chalamet’s performance, sharp direction, and a slick script. The film has already secured three Golden Globe nominations and a place on several year-end best-of lists.

One Battle After Another, meanwhile, debuted in Los Angeles in September and quickly became a box office success, leading the Golden Globe nominations with nine. Both films have drawn attention for their distinct approaches and impressive casts.

Here’s a brief comparison of the two:

Marty Supreme is directed by Josh Safdie, written by Ronald Bronstein and Safdie, and features Chalamet alongside Gwyneth Paltrow and others. The cinematography is by Darius Khondji, with music from Daniel Lopatin. The film is an original story, produced by Central Pictures and distributed by A24, with a budget of $60–70 million and a runtime of 150 minutes.

One Battle After Another is helmed by Paul Thomas Anderson, who also wrote the screenplay based on Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland. DiCaprio stars with Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, and more. Michael Bauman handles cinematography, Jonny Greenwood provides the score, and the film is produced by Ghoulardi Film Company and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Its budget ranges from $130–175 million, and it runs for 162 minutes.

Chalamet Reflects on Awards Season and Family Traditions

Chalamet, who has delivered a December release for seven consecutive years, finds himself once again in the Oscar conversation thanks to his role in Marty Supreme. He recently shared that his family has made a tradition of watching his Christmas releases together, with his mother having already seen Marty Supreme four times.

Now that I’ve got these films coming out around Christmas, we’ve made it a little tradition in my family to see them together. My mum’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, the film follows Marty Mauser, a quick-witted table tennis prodigy aiming for the world championships in Tokyo while navigating dubious sponsorship deals. Chalamet began training in table tennis in 2018 after meeting Safdie, who had him in mind for the role from the outset.

He was Timmy Supreme. I was really interested in working with that energy.

Chalamet drew on his family’s dance background to inform his movements, noting the balletic quality of table tennis. He also reflected on the pressures of fame as he approaches 30, emphasising the importance of staying grounded.

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 competing with DiCaprio for the Oscar, Chalamet was gracious, calling it a great honour and praising DiCaprio’s work in One Battle After Another.

AACTA International Awards: The Race Intensifies

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) International Awards have announced their nominees, with Chalamet and DiCaprio both up for Best Lead Actor. They face competition from Russell Crowe, Joel Edgerton, and Hugh Jackman. Best Film nominees include Hamnet, Marty Supreme, Nuremberg, One Battle After Another, and Sinners.

In television, Jean Smart leads the Best Actress category for Hacks, while the Best Actor in a Series nominees include Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham, Gary Oldman, Seth Rogen, and Noah Wyle. The awards ceremony will take place on 6 February 2026 on Australia’s Gold Coast.

This international recognition has cemented Chalamet and DiCaprio as central figures in this year’s awards season, with critics and audiences alike dissecting their performances. Who truly deserves the Best Actor title remains a hot topic among film fans.