So, I finally sat down to watch Materialists yesterday, and honestly, if you’re expecting a fluffy, popcorn-munching rom-com because of the cast, you’re in for a bit of a reality check. It’s directed by Celine Song—who did Past Lives—so you already know it’s going to have that “staring out of a rainy window in New York” energy. But this one swaps the cosmic “fate” talk for something much more blunt: money.
Here is my take on why this movie is such a vibe, even when it’s being a total downer about modern love.
The “Price Tag” of Romance
The movie follows Lucy (Dakota Johnson), who is this high-end NYC matchmaker. She treats dating like a stock market trade. To her, love isn’t about “the spark”; it’s about the math. We’re talking height, net worth, and political leanings. It’s super cynical, but also… weirdly relatable?
The whole setup is basically every “would you rather” question you’ve ever had with your friends: Do you go for the “Unicorn” (Pedro Pascal as Harry, a filthy rich, charming-as-hell financier) or the “Imperfect Ex” (Chris Evans as John, a struggling actor who’s literally working as a waiter at a wedding Lucy is attending)? It’s the ultimate battle between financial security and that messy, passionate history you can’t quite shake.
Pedro vs. Chris: The Ultimate Dilemma
Let’s talk about the guys. Pedro Pascal plays Harry, and he is just effortlessly smooth. He lives in a $12 million penthouse, and there’s this hilarious/relatable scene where Lucy is in bed with him but her eyes keep drifting to his insanely high ceilings. It’s like she’s falling in love with his real estate as much as the man.
Then you’ve got Chris Evans. It is so jarring (in a good way) to see Captain America playing a guy with three roommates who is clearly “broke but adoring.” Their chemistry feels heavy and a bit tired, like they’ve had the same argument for ten years. The movie doesn’t make it easy; it doesn’t turn the rich guy into a villain or the poor guy into a saint. It just asks: What can you actually live with?
The Aesthetics are Everything
Technically, the movie is just gorgeous. It was shot on 35mm, so it has that grainy, nostalgic 90s rom-com feel (think You’ve Got Mail but with more anxiety). The way Celine Song uses New York is basically a character in itself. You see the gleaming, cold glass of the ultra-rich Tribeca world versus the noisy, cramped, but “alive” feeling of the dive bars and cheap apartments.
There’s also this super weird, artsy opening scene with cavepeople that basically says: “Look, humans have been trading stuff for companionship since the beginning of time.” It sets the tone perfectly—this isn’t a fairy tale; it’s an audit of the heart.
The Verdict: Is it a “Date Movie”?
Honestly? Only if you and your partner are prepared to have a very long, potentially awkward conversation afterward about your bank accounts and your “dealbreakers.” It’s less “Happily Ever After” and more “What are we willing to settle for?”
It’s sharp, it’s witty, and Dakota Johnson is the absolute queen of being “icy but secretly crumbling.” It might not be as soul-crushing as Past Lives, but it definitely lingers in your head.
Leave a Reply