Materialists Movie Review – A Stylish, Sharp Rom-Com With Heart

Materialists Movie Review: Love vs. Wealth in Modern Dating

Welcome to this Materialists Movie Review, where modern romance gets re-examined through the lens of capitalism, dating checklists, and personal values. Written and directed by Celine Song (following her acclaimed Past Lives), the 2025 film stars Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal in a story that explores whether love is money—or something more.

Plot Overview (Spoiler-Light)

Lucy Mason (Dakota Johnson), former actress turned elite matchmaker in New York City, navigates love’s transactional side with clinical precision. She believes wealthy relationships are the safest bets—until two unexpected suitors force her to question that belief. One is Harry (Pedro Pascal), a wealthy financial “unicorn” she tries matching with clients; the other is John (Chris Evans), her earnest but broke ex-cater-waiter and struggling actor.

As Lucy guides clients through high-stakes standards of height, income, and physical traits, she must tackle her own ideals about love and self-worth.

Director & Production Insight

Led by Celine Song, both writer and director, Materialists was produced by Killer Films and 2AM, distributed by A24 (U.S.) and Sony internationally. Shabier Kirchner’s cinematography and Daniel Pemberton’s music bring NYC’s high-class world to life with polish and nuance.

Cast & Performances

• Dakota Johnson as Lucy — sharp, poised, and emotionally complex.
• Chris Evans as John — grounded, heartfelt, a striking contrast to his superhero roles.
• Pedro Pascal as Harry — suave and wealthy, yet charmingly vulnerable.
• Supporting cast (Zoë Winters, Marin Ireland, Louisa Jacobson) enrich the story with realism.

Visual Style & Themes

The film is visually elegant with high-gloss NYC settings, fashion-forward costuming, and crisp camera work. But beneath the polish, Materialists critiques wealth, ageism, and the commodification of relationships in today’s dating world.

Critical Reception

• RogerEbert.com: Praises its tonal balance between wit and weight.
• The Guardian: Calls it a “sharp, cynical look at modern love,” though occasionally too detached.
• Times of India: Describes it as a “cerebral mix of gloss and depth.”
• Rotten Tomatoes: Holds a 79% critic score with generally positive reviews.

Audience & Box Office Response

Released June 13, 2025, Materialists grossed $92.6M worldwide. Audience reactions are mixed—some adore the chemistry, others criticize its “cold” character dynamics. Online debates even label it “broke man propaganda,” sparking cultural conversation about dating values.

Final Verdict

Strengths: Stylish direction, thought-provoking themes, standout performances.
Weaknesses: Emotional detachment in places, uneven pacing.

Overall: Materialists is not your average rom-com—it’s a glossy, sharp exploration of love in a world where romance collides with money.

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