If ever a movie is made for Geek Girl Authority discussion, it’s Materialists. With a main cast made up of geek cinema luminaries like Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal and even Dakota Johnson, there’s plenty here to be excited for. This, friends, increased tenfold after seeing the film’s trailer showcasing some seething, charismatic romance. Did we mention the film comes from Celine Song, one of the most talented storytellers currently coming up in Hollywood? Well, Materialists finally hits theaters this week. Is this romance the bundle of joyous “movie love” we’re looking for? Or should this one just give back the ring? Read on.
Materialists
Materialists follows Lucy (Dakota Johnson), a professional matchmaker in New York City. She’s functioning at the top of her powers. We learn early that she’s responsible for nine weddings. However, Harry sweeps into her life and complicates her orderly world. He’s a unicorn. He’s rich, handsome, educated … and played by Pedro Pascal. However, in an almost cruel twist of fate, Lucy also accidentally runs into her charmingly imperfect actor ex (Chris Evans). Love is a business for Lucy. Is it even possible for her to fall in love? Or is the math against her? Zoe Winters and Marin Ireland co-star in the movie. Celine Song directs Materialists from her own script.
I think one word of caution is necessary right here at the start. Materialists (in its marketing campaign at least) desperately wants to be seen as a rom-com. It oozes 1990s rom-com adorableness. As I sat down to watch the film, I kept finding myself wanting to dive into this world. This film, however, is far more complicated. Remember, Song’s debut directorial effort, Past Lives, made quite the showing during Awards Season in 2023. You know what Awards Season means … complicated and deep.
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Now, don’t get me wrong. This is a romance. Moments in this film not only had me swooning, but will be living rent-free in my brain for the foreseeable future. However, this is also quite a cynical film. It’s even cold in places.
The idea that love is a business for Lucy fascinates Song and deeply influences this script. The young matchmaker sees everything around her through a lens of dating “math.” How good is the match? Is this true love, or does he simply make you feel valuable? Materialists is keenly interested in more than simply love. This screenplay tells this complex story with a clear-eyed examination of not only the games we humans play in pursuit of love, but also the humanity of these characters.
Ultimately, Materialists isn’t afraid to go deep. Very deep. While there’s a fascination with the exterior images we all put forward, we see these characters “warts and all.” We see deep into their psyche and all the insecurities, cynicism and occasional self-loathing that comes with that.
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Luckily, the performances here are strong enough to carry what is often a challenging narrative. This is a refreshingly good role for Dakota Johnson as Lucy. Materialists, luckily, is a more sensitive, restrained part for Johnson, so it’s a million miles away from (dare I say it!) Madame Webb. However, it should be said, Johnson is the film’s lead. Those who struggle with the actress might not want to seek this one out.
At the same time, though, Chris Evans easily shoulders a lot of the movie’s emotional weight. Kids, I thought I’d moved passed my overt need to fangirl over Chris Evans. I thought I had grown out of it. Materialists has ripped all of those feelings wide open.
Evans gives a beautifully heartfelt performance and steals scenes, especially in the unspoken moments. He’s very much the heart of this, as mentioned, often cynical movie. It’s a great fit for Evans, and here’s hoping we see more roles like this from him in the future.
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Pedro Pascal, meanwhile, does what he does best: be ridiculously charismatic. This is a must in this role. Ultimately, my biggest qualm with Materialists is that Pascal was not given more to do. This feels particularly noticeable as Harry’s arc comes to a close. Obviously, no spoilers, sweetie. However, as the moment plays out, the dynamic between Harry and Lucy feels abrupt. It feels forced and a bit weighed down by the hands of the screenwriter. That’s about as far as we should go.
Ultimately, this isn’t an issue with Pascal’s performance. He, as mentioned, is doing what he does best, and he’s enjoyable to watch when he’s on-screen. However, Pascal’s role does not necessarily feel big enough against this sizable ensemble. There’s nothing wrong with giving him more to do.
As the final credits roll, Materialists easily hits many fascinating narrative beats. Celine Song continues to shine as a filmmaker and storyteller. As John and Lucy, Johnson and Evans are both beautifully fleshed out and painfully relatable. While this film makes the unforgivable decision not to use Pedro Pascal to his fullest extent, he’s still a treat in this role. While Materialists is not the rom-com the trailer makes it look like, this is a deeply human romance that isn’t afraid to explore some challenging questions.
Materialists opens in theaters around the country on June 13, 2025.
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