Read Time: 5 min
| RELEASE DATE | 13 June 2025 |
|---|---|
| DIRECTOR | Celine Song |
| DISTRIBUTED BY | A24, Stage 6 Films, Sony Pictures Releasing |
| WRITERS | Celine Song |
| CAST | Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal |
| RUNTIME | 1h 49m |
| AGE RATING | PG-13 |
| GENRE | Romance / Comedy |
| BUDGET | $20 million |
Movie Review: Materialists
In a world where love is often seen through the lens of luxury and lifestyle, Celine Song’s "Materialists" boldly steps into the spotlight with a question as old as romance itself: Should we marry for love—or for money? This sharp, witty, and refreshingly modern romantic dramedy blends the elegance of old-school rom-coms with the emotional depth of contemporary storytelling. Song, following her critically acclaimed "Past Lives," once again crafts a film that is both intimate and grand in its ambitions.
At the heart of the film is Lucy (played to nuanced perfection by Dakota Johnson), a fashionable and calculating New York matchmaker whose business of love is booming, even as her own heart remains unsettled. Her world is turned upside down when she reconnects with her emotionally rich yet financially poor ex (a vulnerable Chris Evans) and meets the seemingly ideal man (a charming Pedro Pascal)—a unicorn in dating terms: wealthy, handsome, and surprisingly available.
While it hits all the right notes of romantic comedy—the unexpected run-ins, the spark-filled banter, and the glamorous backdrops—"Materialists" digs deeper. Song doesn’t shy away from portraying the social realities of modern dating: power dynamics, economic privilege, and the pressure to "optimize" relationships. The characters are flawed but compelling, and their choices reflect the complexity of real human desires. It’s a rom-com with a razor-sharp edge and a warm beating heart.
What sets this film apart is its remarkable balance of fantasy and reality. Costume designer Katina Danabassis elevates Lucy’s wardrobe to aspirational heights, while cinematographer Shabier Kirchner brings a dreamlike shimmer to the Manhattan skyline and road-trip vistas alike. Yet underneath the stylish aesthetic lies a raw, emotional undercurrent that makes every romantic gesture feel earned and every glance deeply human. The chemistry among the leads is electric—Evans and Johnson share a playful, lived-in intimacy, while Pascal offers a magnetic, grounded allure that reshapes our expectations of the perfect man.
Ultimately, "Materialists" is about choice—not just between two lovers, but between versions of ourselves. Song invites us to consider whether love has a price, and if so, who’s really paying. It's a thoughtful, funny, and poignant film that proves the rom-com isn't just alive—it's evolving.
"Let me guess... you think this is just another love triangle? Darling, this is New York—we don’t do simple shapes."
— Watch "Materialists" and find out which side your heart lands on.
0 comments: