Materialists (2025) – Movie Review & Summary
In a world where love can be swiped, scheduled, and even priced—what does it really mean to connect with someone? That’s the question Materialists, the newest film from Past Lives director Celine Song, attempts to answer. And trust me—it does so with both elegance and edge.
Released in June 2025, Materialists is already sparking conversations for its unapologetically modern take on romance, wealth, and emotional currency. So, is it worth your time? Absolutely. Here’s why.
Title: Materialists
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama
Director: Celine Song
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, Chris Evans
Release Date: June 2025
Language: English
Platform: Theatrical release & soon on streaming
📝 Plot Summary
Materialists centers around a high-end matchmaker named Ali (played by Dakota Johnson), who curates relationships for New York’s elite. She is intelligent, fashion-forward, and unapologetically transactional when it comes to love. For her, romance is a business, not a fairy tale.
Things take a turn when she reconnects with her ex-boyfriend (played by Chris Evans), a charming and idealistic man who still believes in love without conditions. Meanwhile, a new client (Pedro Pascal), wealthy but emotionally guarded, challenges her idea of relationships. As Ali navigates between these two men and the world of curated love, she begins to question whether materialism and love can truly co-exist—or if real connection lies beyond money and status.
⭐ Review
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Celine Song (Past Lives) returns with another emotionally resonant, intelligent take on modern relationships. While Materialists carries the aesthetic of a glossy rom-com, it’s far more nuanced than it first appears.
Dakota Johnson delivers a standout performance—sophisticated, witty, and layered. She brings depth to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional. Pedro Pascal, as always, commands the screen with subtlety and strength, while Chris Evans brings warmth and charisma to his role, perfectly balancing the triangle.
The screenplay is sharp, infused with social commentary about love in the era of luxury, dating apps, and curated lifestyles. The film asks: What is love worth in a world where everything—including people—can be bought or sold?
Visually, the film is sleek and modern, filled with high fashion, Manhattan penthouses, and vibrant cityscapes—but beneath the glamorous surface lies a quiet emotional core that sneaks up on the viewer.
What Is "Materialists" About?
Meet Ali, a sharp, stylish matchmaker played by Dakota Johnson. She doesn’t just set people up—she builds relationships for New York’s elite, like a luxury architect of love. In her world, everything has value—including affection.
But when her idealistic ex (played by Chris Evans) reappears and a mysterious billionaire client (Pedro Pascal) unexpectedly challenges her emotionally, Ali is caught between the world she’s mastered and the love she might have lost.
What unfolds is a high-gloss exploration of how relationships are shaped by money, status, and self-worth—and whether true love can exist when everything else is transactional.
Why This Movie Works
1. A Rom-Com with Brains
Sure, there are designer outfits, lavish penthouses, and flirty banter—but Materialists isn’t your average romantic comedy. It’s a sharp social commentary wrapped in a beautiful package. The script is smart, funny, and refreshingly honest about the emotional cost of wealth and perfection.
2. Dakota Johnson Steals the Show
This is easily one of Johnson’s best performances. She plays Ali with a balance of vulnerability and power that makes you both admire and ache for her. The way she navigates her guarded heart is mesmerizing.
3. Unexpected Chemistry
Both Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal bring depth to their roles—not just as romantic leads, but as emotional foils. Evans is warm and nostalgic, while Pascal simmers with complexity. Their chemistry with Johnson crackles on screen, making the love triangle believable and poignant.
4. Celine Song’s Signature Touch
Fans of Past Lives will recognize Song’s talent for creating deep emotional resonance from subtle moments. Even amidst designer clothes and cocktails, the film never loses its emotional pulse.
Where It Falls Short
If you’re expecting a fast-paced rom-com, this may feel a bit slow in places.
The ending avoids cliché, but some viewers might find it too open-ended or emotionally complex.
