'Materialists' Review: Thoughtful and Mature, Setting a New Standard for the Modern Romantic Comedy
- M.N. Miller
- Jun 12
- 4 min read
By M.N. Miller - June 12, 2025
On the surface, you might think Celine Song lost a bet or fell victim to some sort of sorority prank, following up her exquisite Past Lives with a romantic comedy about a matchmaker in New York City in the Materialists. It sounds like a discarded Julia Roberts or Meg Ryan script from the golden age of 1990s rom-coms. However, you're treated to a thoughtful, mature, and at times, beautiful exploration of the leap of faith that is unrequited love and cynicism.
Materialists, funny and poignant, sets a new standard for the modern rom-com and is a perfect companion piece to her first knockout film.
What is 'Materialists' about?
The story follows Lucy (Dakota Johnson), a former actress who gave up her dreams for a stable career as a matchmaker in New York — a city teeming with women whose biological clocks are ticking and successful, middle-aged businesspeople suffering from arrested development, only interested in dating women in their late 20s or, if they’re feeling charitable, their early 30s.
Lucy works for a company called Adore, and she's just matched with her ninth couple to get married. (For the sports fans keeping score at home, that’s a solid number, though one might want to factor in the average marriage success rate. A quick Google search shows successful matchmakers average around twenty marriages per year.)
Her latest "masterpiece" results in a bride with last-minute doubts. Still, a common thread in Lucy’s setups is how well the math adds up: height, hairline, portfolio, and annual income —
metrics that make her clients feel seen and valued. The groom’s best man and brother, Harry Castillo (Pedro Pascal), quickly likes Lucy. He’s drawn to the fact that she doesn’t sell herself — her confidence makes others want to sell themselves to her.
Their chemistry is instant, both oozing charm and sex appeal, but the moment is interrupted by a waiter at the wedding: Lucy’s ex-boyfriend, John (Chris Evans). It’s clear from the start that Lucy still has feelings for him. The problem? John is still a struggling actor, while Harry is the unicorn every woman is trying to land, offering security and the life of her dreams. The only question left is: Who will she choose?
Pedro Pascal Gives the Best Performance of His Career, It’s a Knockout!
As mentioned above, Materialists is written and directed by Celine Song. This marks her sophomore effort following her acclaimed debut, Past Lives, which earned her Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture. Reportedly, Song spent six months working as a matchmaker a few years before the pandemic, helping busy professionals find their “ideal” partners.
She relied on empirical qualities and statistical indicators like income, height, race, and even measurements such as body mass index — criteria made the process feel more like a business transaction than the pursuit of true love. That comes through in her film, which combines humour with intelligence or insight, but also sprinkles in irreverent moments, showing how shallow and cynical people can be, many times without realizing it.
Their performances are plentiful, with a cast teeming with picture-perfect turns. First, Pedro Pascal has never been better, giving the best performance of his career. It’s a knockout, bringing a natural charm, softness, and surprising emotional depth. He captures the non-negotiables in dating, a high benchmark some women (and men) refuse to budge, without
allowing themselves to be open to a different kind of man, woman, or experience, which is where cynicism lies.
Is A24’s 'Materialists' worth watching?
Johnson and Pascal’s chemistry is exceptional — full of lust and limerence — while her relationship with Evans captures a sense of love and loss. It’s a fascinating dynamic that Johnson beautifully portrays in an evocative, candid, and introspective performance. You can’t help but be drawn to her, even as you judge her — a reaction that forces the audience to confront their moral snobbery and the authenticity penalty she doesn’t deserve.
Song’s script triangulates the relationships, making the story less about who Lucy chooses and more about how each man helps her rediscover who she is now, compared to who she once was, navigating long history versus spark and fantasy. Song’s plotting will force the audience to reflect on whether maturity is as subjective as it appears to be.
At times, Materialists is too guarded in mainstream appeal, and I wish it had the guts to stay away from a happily ever after ending. At least here, the ending is open-ended to a degree. However, Song is not afraid to tackle real-life issues, essential questions like identity, self-awareness, and reflection. However, Song’s tone never wavers, offering a stunningly mature, thoughtful, and funny take on the modern-day rom-com, setting a new standard for years to come.
'Materialists' is out now in US cinemas
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