MATERIALISTS

Celine Song’s “Materialists” was pitched, or at least perceived, as a romantic comedy, probably because of the cast—Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans. However, it’s way more thoughtful than that. And if you walk in expecting something breezy or easygoing, you might be caught off guard.

Then again, it’s an A24 film—and whether you see that logo as a stamp of quality or just a certain vibe, it usually means the movie’s going to color outside the lines. Where Celine Song’s previous film, “Past Lives,” was all about longing and what-ifs and fate, this one is more about the mechanics of modern dating—how it can sometimes feel like a market exchange, where height, income, and ambition all factor into someone’s perceived value.

Dakota Johnson plays Lucy, a successful matchmaker who’s good at pairing people up but not so great at figuring out her own love life. She meets Harry (Pascal) at the wedding of two people she set up. Harry’s charming, emotionally available, successful—the kind of man who seems too good to be true (a “unicorn”). And he’s interested in Lucy. Enter John (Evans), Lucy’s ex. He knows just what she likes, and she still has feelings for him. Of course, this complicates things. It might sound like your typical love triangle, but Celine comes at it more analytically than emotionally.

The filmmaking is seriously impressive — long takes, great framing, and a dreamy soundtrack that gives the whole thing a floaty, almost surreal vibe. Add to that these sharp, intelligent debates between the characters, and you get some of the most unique scenes of the year.

Oddly enough, for a cast this good-looking, there isn’t much chemistry. And that may seem like a problem, but I think it’s the whole point—the lack of a spark between some of the characters reflects their inability to connect. They know what boxes they want their partner to check, and they know what intimacy looks like, but when it comes to actually “feeling” love, they’re not even sure if they’re capable of it.

The film also takes a much darker turn into sexual violence, pulling it even further from anything you’d call a rom-com. But if you’re telling a story about modern dating, that threat is sadly always there. It felt like an honest — and deeply uncomfortable — reminder of just how vulnerable dating can be, especially for women.

If you let go of your expectations, “Materialists” is much easier to appreciate. With the bones of a romantic comedy but the meat of something much deeper, it’s a cathartic experience to broach these topics out in the open. Packaged in a sharp, stylish, and honest way, Celine Song understands how the modern dating scene can feel both thrilling and transactional. And she’s not trying to give you all the answers, letting questions linger in uncertainty. And that feels a lot more like real life.

VIEWED ON
Friday, June 13, 2025
for Work