‘Materialists’ Review: Matchmaking Meets Materialism in A24’s Latest Rom-Com

Modern dating is more complicated than ever, and "Materialists", the latest film from Celine Song and distributed by A24, cuts right to the point. With noteworthy performances from Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, this romantic comedy brings back the charm of early 2000s rom-coms while reflecting the messy, real-life decisions people face today.

Where most rom-coms tend to idealize and over-romanticize love, "Materialists" asks the questions people often think about but rarely say out loud. Should you marry for love or for money and financial security? Can you have both? And with divorce rates rising, should you even get married to begin with? 

Dakota Johnson plays Lucy, a successful New York matchmaker who helps others find love but doesn’t fully believe in it for herself. She’s logical, emotionally avoidant, and dismisses the very feelings she encourages in her clients. Her matchmaking criteria are based on factors like income, age, politics, and physical appearance. From the start, it’s clear that Lucy values money , control, and predictability more than an emotional risk.

At a wedding for one of her clients, she meets Harry, played by Pedro Pascal. He’s handsome, elegant, and most important to Lucy… wealthy. Their connection is instant, and he makes it clear he’s interested. But the moment is interrupted when Lucy runs into her ex, John, played by Chris Evans. He’s a struggling actor working the event as a caterer and is still clearly in love with her.

What follows is not your typical love triangle. Lucy isn’t torn between two men. She’s torn between two ideas of love and whether she even believes she’s capable of it. Harry offers a life of comfort, luxury, and financial security. John offers something deeper but riskier because of their complicated past. Neither choice is perfect but throughout the film as a viewer, you become conflicted on what’s the correct choice is, making you question your own values when seeking love. 

Alongside Lucy’s personal drama is a workplace crisis at her company, Adore. One of her clients, Sophie, played by Zoë Winters, has a traumatic experience that some viewers may find relatable. Winters delivers a powerful performance that captures the pain of rejection and the dangerous risks of dating.

While "Materialists" is faster-paced and less serious than Celine Song’s debut, "Past Lives", the emotional themes are similar. "Past Lives" explored lost connections, timing, and the consequences of life choices. It was about what could have been. "Materialists" also deals with the paths we take, revisiting parts of our pasts, and the fear of making the wrong decision. Both films ask what we really want from love and whether we’re brave enough to actually go after it.

A24 has a reputation for releasing unique, emotionally honest stories, and "Materialists" fits right in. It isn’t just another romantic comedy. It feels relevant to what we see today and it’s incredibly self-aware. It’s relatable in a way that might make you cringe a little because it’s a reflection to the way we personally approach love today.

Whether you’re single, dating, or somewhere in between, this movie will hit a nerve. It’s for anyone who has questioned their own standards or felt torn between what they want and what they think they should want. "Materialists" doesn’t offer easy answers, it's vulnerable and that’s part of what makes it work and a great watch.