What’s striking about Materialists is how intentionally every scene is crafted. Celine Song reminds me a lot of David Mamet in the sense that every single scene in this movie is written with intention. Every scene and conversation exists for a reason. This is a writer’s film—dialogue-heavy, yes, but layered with meaning and emotional tension. It wrestles with the question, “Do you marry someone because they check all the right boxes, or do you marry someone out of love?” It’s a dilemma Lucy faces repeatedly, and Song never takes the easy way out.
I responded strongly to the emotional honesty of this film, as well as the lack thereof in current Hollywood cinema. Falling in love is not what the studios make movies about anymore, and it’s sad. Love is one of the most powerful emotions out there, and Hollywood is avoiding it for some reason. Here, falling in love isn’t a montage backed by a pop song. It’s difficult, awkward, and filled with consequences. As Lucy toggles between two very different men, she’s forced to ask what truly matters—and viewers are too.
(L-R) Dakota Johnson
Credit: Atsushi Nishijima
“Falling in love is not what the studios make movies about anymore, and it’s sad.”
Materialists resonated deeply on a personal level. If you’ve been struggling with dating and have gotten married, this is the movie that just reminds you…I’ve been there. I’ve had this conversation. Or, I’ve played this out in my mind over and over again. Even the smaller, quieter moments in the film feel lived-in and relatable, especially for those who’ve navigated love in a world ruled by TikTok videos and economic security. It’s not the kind of upbeat wackiness you get from your typical Hollywood romcom—it’s much more grounded.
Pedro Pascal, often accused of being overexposed, is perfectly cast here—IFYKYK. Pedro was definitely not a selling point, but he’s perfect in this movie. His performance brings depth to Harry, particularly in a pivotal scene that unfolds with emotional clarity. Meanwhile, Dakota Johnson carries the film with understated confidence. In a way, she is the villain of the piece, but we fall for her anyway. Chris Evans is excellent as a man whose lack of success doesn’t diminish his emotional value, and where age gives us a more sobering perspective on the present.
Materialists is one of the best films of the year—a refreshingly sincere and emotionally intelligent take on modern romance. More romance than comedy, it avoids clichés and tackles real issues of love, compromise, and personal value. In a genre starved for truth, Celine Song delivers again.
"…I've played this out in my mind over and over again."
