Safdie Brothers' 'Marty Supreme' Faces Backlash Amid Controversy

Accusations of inaccuracy and toxic work environment could derail the film's Oscar campaign.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:31pm

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Just days after the Timothée Chalamet-starring film 'Marty Supreme' earned nine Oscar nominations, the Safdie brothers, the film's directors, are facing a scandal over claims of creating a toxic work environment on a previous project. This comes on the heels of other recent Oscar controversies, such as the backlash against the Spanish-language musical 'Emilia Pérez' and the old anti-Muslim tweet from the 'Green Book' co-writer. Experts warn that the Safdie brothers may need to 'go dark' to avoid further damage to the film's Oscar campaign.

Why it matters

Oscar campaigns can be derailed by scandals, as seen with past examples like 'Emilia Pérez' and 'Green Book.' The Safdie brothers' alleged behavior on a previous film could undermine the momentum of 'Marty Supreme,' which was seen as a frontrunner with its nine nominations.

The details

According to reports, just days after 'Marty Supreme' earned nine Oscar nominations, Page Six reported on claims that Josh Safdie created a toxic work environment on a previous film. This comes as other Oscar-nominated films based on true stories, such as 'Song Sung Blue' and 'Marty Supreme' itself, have also faced criticism for allegedly misrepresenting the real-life people and events they depict.

  • On January 30, 2026, the Vanity Fair article was published.
  • The Safdie brothers are scheduled to appear at several upcoming awards season events, including the DGA Awards on February 7 and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 10.

The players

Josh Safdie

One of the directors of the Oscar-nominated film 'Marty Supreme,' who is facing allegations of creating a toxic work environment on a previous project.

Emilia Pérez

The lead actress of the Spanish-language musical that was an Oscar frontrunner last year, but lost momentum after the discovery of offensive tweets by the actress.

Karla Sofía Gascón

The first openly trans actor to receive an Oscar nomination, for her role in 'Emilia Pérez,' but her chances were quickly derailed by the backlash over her old offensive tweets.

Nick Vallelonga

The co-writer of the 2019 Oscar-winning film 'Green Book,' whose old anti-Muslim tweet caused controversy and threatened the film's Oscar chances.

Mike Sardina Jr.

The son of the real-life couple portrayed in the Oscar-nominated film 'Song Sung Blue,' who has described the film as 'all lies.'

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.