User reviews

'Materialists' was not what I expected.

It's been marketed like a rom-com - but honestly? If you're heading in expecting laughs, you'll be disappointed. What you get instead is a sharp, quietly melancholic study on modern love, dating, and loneliness in the big city. It's not so much about romance as it is about emotional bankruptcy - the way ambition, money, and appearances slowly chip away at real connection.

The story follows Lucy, a matchmaker who views relationships like transactions, caught between two opposites: Harry, rich and polished, and John, her sweet but struggling ex. But the real tension isn't between them - it's in her. What does she actually want? Love, comfort, validation? Or just a life that looks good on paper?

Celine Song's style is unmistakable - lingering shots, dialogue that feels like internal monologue, and a quiet ache humming underneath it all. At times, it almost felt like watching a late-era Woody Allen film - not in tone, but in that subtle, creeping sense of urban melancholy. By the end, I didn't feel uplifted. I felt... thoughtful. A bit heavy, even.

This is a film about the emotional numbness that sneaks in when we live our lives through filters - digital and otherwise. About the loneliness hiding behind perfect apartments and curated dating profiles. And how love (or at least the idea of it) gets commodified without us even noticing.

Not a rom-com. Not really even a romance. More of a character study. A mood piece. A quiet critique. And once I let go of what I thought it was meant to be, I found I really liked it, and I hope you do too.

I think that the movie was overhyped. It felt like there was just something missing and maybe because I watch a lot of series and get to enjoy the progression of characters overtime. That's why I felt like there was something missing. I think that the actors were great and maybe during the storyline there was way too much focus on her job aspect and there could've been just a little bit more of her personal life being expressed on screen. I honestly think the trailer was probably better than the movie and I found myself getting a little bit bored at times. I think that this was a great trio, but I don't know if that this was the perfect movie for them.

Well, based on the trailer, it looked extremely interesting. But now that I've watched it, I am not satisfied.

The subject matter is extremely boring and cliché. There is nothing special in this film, except for the presence of the male actors. But Ms. Johnson could not deliver the role she was playing. She was too cold and emotionless for this character. Eventhough I said the actors were good, yet they weren't very good. They, too, couldn't awaken the sense of sympathy.

And, I may be wrong, but this film felt a bit misogynistic. It declares that women's priority is money.

And, at the same time, it couldn't convey the cliché message that LOVE prevails all! The chemistry didn't work, and it just wasn't satisfying enough.

I thought they had stopped making these sorts of films!

Dakota Johnson acts as if she's reading off of a script in front of her. She has no change in tone, no depth to her voice or emotions. Even Pedro was underwhelming in this role. It felt as though Celine Song was attempting to make this film have an incredibly deep and moving message, but it didn't come across as she intended. They marketed this movie as a rom-com, disappointing me when I realized it wasn't. It could have been redeemed by a compelling story but the poor acting and awkward conveyance of a boring intended message proved the film irredeemable. Anyone other than Dakota Johnson would've worked better. Next time cast Daisy Edgar Jones.

I was disappointed in this one. It had its moments, but not enough to warrant a more than an average rating. Dakota Fanning's delivery of dialogue has always been so monotone to me however, I have to say I like this role better than some of her others. She actually seemed to care at a few moments during this movie. The exposure of horrible things that could come from using a dating service was good details. Not in a warm fuzzy kind of way, but it's an unfortunate reality. The shallowness of people when they're looking for the perfect mate was very believable. Disappointing but believable. To me the ending was very predictable.

I went in expecting a smart rom-com and walked out feeling like someone had gently cracked my chest open. Materialists isn't your typical glossy love story-it's raw and real and says a lot about how we date now, especially when we think we've got it all figured out. The kind of film that makes you laugh, ache, and reflect all at once.

The casting? Perfect. Chef's kiss. Dakota Johnson is all kinds of layered as Lucy. Pedro Pascal is magnetic. And yes-I'm completely biased, but Chris Evans as John? Give me a break. I'm a puddle. He brings this quiet depth that just hits. Every look, every pause-he's devastating in the softest way. I'll be thinking about his character for a long time.

Visually, it's stunning. So many little details that feel lived-in, not staged. And the dialogue is so natural-it doesn't feel like a movie trying to be clever. It just is.

More than a love triangle, it's a beautifully written commentary on what we want vs. What we need-and how scary it is to choose for ourselves.

Go see it. Bring tissues. And maybe don't plan anything after-you'll need time to sit with it.

Overview - I saw and read about a ton of ppl disappointed with Materialist but Celine Song manages to touch a subject which is slowly unravling and destroying the concept of marriage, Capitalism.

The core subject Celine wants to discuss is, in a world run and designed for women, can 90% of men afford a concept as Materialistic as a relationship/marriage?

Celine deals with this beautifully, pulling from her korean roots which draws from the hyper conventional man-woman dynamics and clashing realities of modern day relationships.its no longer uncommon to see More and more couples with the women being the primary bread winner and the man struggling to justify if he deserves to exist despite his finances.

Back to the movie, Dakota clearly demonstrates given the right material and director she can solo carry massive projects. Pedro and Chris support her well and don't shy away from demasculating objectification.

The Materialist won't break ur heart like Past lives, but it will make you believe that love still can exist in this sterile self-serving capitalist world.

Acting-7.8 Directing - 9 Plot - 6.5 Cinematography - 8.5, Celine know wat she wants with the camera painting the story effortlessly, from a $12 million penthouse to $850 3-way shared rental.

Recommendation - Please give risking taking directors like Celine Song there flowers and support such flim in theaters, if we don't we will get more unoriginal unnecessary cash grab remakes like how to train your dragon.

My wife and I watched The Materialist (2025) in theaters last night. The story follows a matchmaker in New York who's helped countless others find love-but hasn't quite found it for herself. Or maybe she has, but the strict conditions she places on relationships may have kept her from realizing it. When she meets a man who seems to check every box, she's forced to ask herself: is she about to make a mistake, and is true love more important than her carefully curated criteria?

The film is written and directed by Celine Song (Past Lives) and stars Dakota Johnson (Fifty Shades of Grey), Chris Evans (Captain America), Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones), Zoe Winters (Succession), and Marin Ireland (Homeland).

From the opening scene, it's clear the film is pushing a familiar message and the storyline is highly predictable-you'll likely see every plot turn coming. That said, it does offer some thoughtful reflections on successful men's outlook on dating, the difficulties older women encounter in dating, and the universal longing for companionship. It also explores how rigid expectations in relationships can sometimes become barriers to genuine happiness.

In conclusion, The Materialist presents some fun situations and sincere themes, but ultimately feels a bit contrived. I'd give it a 6.5/10 and recommend it only with the appropriate expectations.

Celine Song is the writer and Director of "Past Lives" (2023) and all I can say it's one of the best films I've ever seen.

Unfortunately the same style and formula made for Past Lives didn't work this time with Materialists. The storytelling of body language, lack of words, the lack of explanation, lack details in their dialogue, the simplicity didn't really add to the story where as Past Lives worked perfectly.

Sorry if I compare it to Past Lives, I know I shouldn't they're both completely different. Besides its not fair.

I think this movie could have been great if the writer would've written the screenplay as realistic as possible. The movie would hit completely different.

I love Pedro Pascal, I'm a fan of his and have posters of him in my room and stuff. Dakota and Chris are great actors, in general the actors did what they could with the script they were given.

Even though I was underwhelmed I was thoroughly entertained the whole time I watched the movie and that's what movies are supposed to do. Maybe it deserves a higher score.

It can be hard for a playwright to transition into filmmaking. Plays are famously staid, physical affairs, relying more on dialogue than visual storytelling to convey emotion and plot. Yet Celine Song has made the leap from playwright to filmmaker with a visual fluency and ease that's nothing short of remarkable. Her feature debut Past Lives (2023) became an indie darling, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay. While its dialogue was crisp and lyrical, it was Song's command of silences and glances that gave the film its emotional resonance. She now follows that impressive debut with Materialists (2025), a quasi-rom-com that strikes while the iron is hot.

Materialists follows Lucy (Dakota Johnson), a New York City matchmaker who views dating through the lens of a financial market-assigning value to men and women based on traits, assets, and compatibility metrics. She doesn't pretend love is purely romantic; she's practical, even transactional. But her worldview is tested when she begins dating Harry (Pedro Pascal), a charming and wealthy suitor, just as John (Chris Evans), a struggling actor and former flame, reappears and rekindles an effortless chemistry.

Song appears especially drawn to love triangles-Past Lives also revolved around a woman caught between two worthy men. But she never reduces her characters to reality-TV archetypes or rom-com clichés. If anything, Materialists functions as an elevated romantic comedy: it still follows familiar narrative beats, but with a more grounded and honest exploration of love than the dreamy worlds of Meg Ryan or Richard Curtis films.

Materialists dives into the realities of modern dating, where apps and algorithms have turned people into commodities in a vast "dating market." Lucy's profession as a matchmaker becomes a narrative device for discussing these themes-her conversations with co-workers mirror the cold calculus behind dating app algorithms, where potential partners are treated like stocks or securities. Boxes are ticked, and wealth is a major factor-no romanticism required. Yet the film avoids becoming a cynical screed about the death of love. Instead, it confronts the tensions head-on: true love can feel "easy," but that doesn't eliminate the realities of trade-offs, or the fact that marriage remains a financial partnership as much as a romantic one.

This sociological bent makes Materialists fascinating to watch-it often feels more like a relationship essay than traditional entertainment. Still, it delivers the genre's essential pleasures: there are satisfying beats and feel-good moments, but with sharper dialogue and more originality than usual. Some lines recall early Richard Curtis in their memorability. Song's playwriting background serves her well here.

Returning to the love triangle structure, Song treats each character with empathy, resisting the urge to vilify one in favor of a tidy moral. All three are endearing but imperfect, and their emotional depth makes you want to spend more time with them. This is especially true of the two men. Pascal finally lands the romantic lead that the internet has long wanted for him-his charm and sly smile are irresistible, and he carries a late, vulnerable scene with deft dramatic control. Evans, a rom-com veteran, leans into a quieter, more melancholic role. His longing and quiet devotion to Lucy-despite her questionable treatment of him-are convincingly portrayed.

The weak link is Lucy herself. As the titular "materialist," she's meant to evolve from pragmatic matchmaker to romantic lead, but she remains frustratingly underwritten. Johnson, whose signature style often leans toward aloof detachment, doesn't help. There's little insight into Lucy's inner world or motivations. She's burdened with being both the audience's point of entry and the character undergoing the biggest arc-yet the script and performance don't give her enough complexity to support that dual role. As a result, the film's emotional center feels muted.

Ultimately, Materialists is a worthy, if slightly uneven, follow-up to Past Lives. It doesn't linger in the soul the way Song's debut did, but it plays with the rom-com form in thoughtful, compelling ways. With sharp dialogue, a probing thesis, and two richly drawn male leads, it elevates the genre's average. Still, when your central character-the fulcrum of both the romance and the film's thematic weight-feels undercooked, one of the film's key pillars noticeably wobbles.

Sad depressing melodramatic melancholy movie with wrong modern day portrayals. Very little comedy and almost a bit scary especially some of the subject matter which was quite sad. I can't think of a particular time or generation on this type of romantic activity would have been common or normal. Also substandard acting and directing.

I've been super excited to check this movie out since I've first seen the trailers due to how big of a fan I am of director Celine Song and how good of a film Past Lives was. I'm happy to say that this film was incredible and also depressing in a way as well which left me in a state of sadness as I actually almost cried at this movie and I won't lie to you I was super close to doing so. I found myself to really love and relate to the direction this film took in exploring modern dating and how as a society we've set such high standards for dating and that we need our partners to check off certain lists so we can be "happy" instead of finding true love and caring for someone due to who they truly are and not based off some stuff on a checklist making real love near impossible to find for most people now. The film makes a really strong point on how we should love our partner for who they are. There's some really emotional and gut wrenching moments in this film as well especially with our main leads with Dakota Johnson who delivered a phenomenal performance and Chris Evans who was also fantastic in this film as well. I really loved these emotional moments throughout the movie and there's one scene with Pedro Pascal's character which really stood out to me and was really emotional. I enjoy the visuals in this movie as well and there's some really great cinematic shots throughout this movie as well which elevated this movie even further up for me. I wish they could've explored Dakota Johnson and Chris Evan's previous relationship in this film some more and I would've enjoyed to see some more backstory for Chris Evans character in this movie. Overall this movie had me near tears due to how emotional and gut wrenching this film was for me. This is definitely worth the watch for sure and I highly recommend this.

This movie had no idea what it was supposed to be. It starts off feeling like a romcom, but a very slow and boring one that never actually gets funny. Then it tries to turn into a drama but it feels like an unjustified detour. The jokes aren't funny. The romance isn't romantic. The drama is flat. And why is everyone smoking?? Who smokes anymore, and what did it contribute to the story? I was just distracted thinking about how bad they must smell during the next romantic moment.

I've never been a fan of Dakota Johnson, but I'm a huge fan of Pascal and Evans. I was interested to see it with them in the cast. Even they were bad! When a cast this talented all display a stiff, forced performance, the blame has to shift to the writing and directing. These actors, even Johnson, were done a disservice being pulled into such a poor performance.

None of the three main characters are strongly likable, and so I was left wandering through this mess of a movie not caring what even happened to them in the end. Apparently my theater-mates agreed, because two different couples walked out halfway through. My husband and I only stayed because we were with friends. As the credits began, we all just laughed as they admitted they only stayed because we were there. All four of us wish we'd left after the first 40 minutes.

Was expecting the classic romcom where the girl has to choose between two hot and charismatic men-did not expect to end up crying. As a young, ambitious woman in her (mid/late) twenties, this movie moved me in so many ways. Themes like being successful (and rich), consent, love, and having your life together (or not) while living in an incredibly expensive and expectation-heavy world were portrayed with raw emotion. It absolutely made me feel things I did not expect to feel. I would highly recommend it to any woman trying to figure out life. Teenage boys and old (conservative) men are advised to stay home.

Dakota Johnson is at her best as a matchmaker in Manhattan at the height of her success, but whose own love life is impoverished and full of regrets. Then out of nowhere, she chances to meet a "unicorn" bachelor, a charming, wealthy, educated, handsome (and most importantly tall enough) gentleman (Pedro Pascal, infinitely charismatic) who is in the prime of his career at one of the weddings that her hard work made possible. Their romance seems like a sure thing, but one more fly in the ointment is her old flame (Chris Evans, in a show-stopping performance) resurfacing and bringing back old memories and complications.

The three principals are at the top of their game in this charming but layered film that doesn't quite fit the bill of an archetypal romantic comedy. A darker, more hard-hitting subplot adds some degree of unpredictability. A beguiling soundtrack adds a feeling of wonder. While there were moments when I wished the film could have been bolder, it still delivered and drove home the point about how extremely difficult the dating world in New York can be for men and women alike. You have the enormous pool of dating prospects, the mercurial expectations, a touch of unhappiness and the specter of hope in the distance. That's my way of saying I enjoyed this film very much. Gladly recommended.

I didn't know what to expect when I went in to see this movie. I'd only found out about it a few hours before I went to see it in the theater. I didn't even see a trailer for it. I'd only read a brief synopsis of the plot. I like Dakota Johnson and I'm a huge fan of both Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans and I also really enjoy romantic movies, so I figured it must be good. I didn't hate the movie nor did I love it. It was just bland across the board. It didn't provoke any emotion from me whatsoever. It wasn't romantic at all. It wasn't funny at all. It wasn't dramatic and it wasn't sad. Nothing in it made me smile or frown. I wasn't even bored either. It is well acted and that's probably why I stayed for the entire movie. There was nothing enjoyable or hateable about the movie. It was just entirely bland. I wouldn't watch it again, but I wish it luck for its theatrical run. I hope someone enjoys it more than I did.

A matchmaker, Lucy, helps individuals navigate the tricky, complicated, and ever-changing world of dating in hopes of assisting them in finding the perfect match and everlasting love. Lucy has successfully found matches for others but still can not figure out her love life. That is until she meets a wealthy man who checks all her boxes.

This is a dramatic take on the current state of dating. It explores what many people say are the struggles of dating and individuals' expectations of their potential partners. The movie also explores love, long-term relationships, and how one's past affects their present. Some of the situations are relatable, while others are not. The one-hour and fifty-six-minute runtime has many slow moments, allowing the audience's attention to drift. This could be a good movie for a date night, but it might require being in a particular mental space to truly enjoy it.