‘Materialists’ – Review
Following her 2023 debut with the sweeping, dramatic drama Past Lives, writer and director Celine Song emerged as one of the most exciting and innovative talents in cinema. Now, two years later, she is set to return to the silver screen in collaboration with A24 and Sony Pictures. Her new project, Materialists, offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on human relationships, dating, and romance, and this romantic drama promises to surprise audiences and challenge conventional portrayals of romance in film.
A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker (Dakota Johnson) finds herself torn between the perfect match (Pedro Pascal) and her imperfect ex (Chris Evans).
As a cinematic feature, Materialists is hands down the most original film we’ve seen in a very long time, and this is a romantic drama unlike any other you’ve witnessed before. Filmmaker Celine Song’s thoughts and feelings on the subject matter of dating, relationships and romance in relation to Materialists are informed by her past as a matchmaker, and she’s far and away one of the smartest working directors at the moment. There’s a deep sense of thought and whipsmart intellect present in Materialists, and it’s almost like you’ve walked in expecting some kind of run-of-the-mill romance film but instead have been treated to a thought-provoking narrative that examines the idea of human worth when it comes to marriage and connection and just where love fits into all of it.
While not wanting to divulge specific plot points or narrative features, as Materialists is best viewed when going into it with the mystery still in tack, this film takes you in many different directions, and its’ narrative, which is extremely character-driven, will keep you primed thanks to some interesting choices on behalf of Song, and a few shock revelations.
While some will believe that Materialists is your standard romantic comedy, it is rather a deeply thought-provoking drama examining themes of connection, worth, dating as a numbers game, and just what place romance and love have in relation to a world that has now come to commoditise and gamify every interaction we now engage in within our modern world. As an audience member who was seeking a fresh hook and looking for the unexpected, this really spoke to me.
Song’s approach to the romance genre as delivered through Materialists was utterly original and different, and the beats and structure of this story keep you engaged and dialled in all the way through. While this is a story of deep emotional complexity and dramatic tension, there is also an unexpected comedy that speaks softly and provides much-needed levity when you least expect it. It also must be said that this is romance filtered through the A24 lens, and this adds to the intricacy of the whole experience of Materialists and is a major driver of the original feeling and experience of the film for audiences.
Cast as the central character of Lucy is Dakota Johnson, and she perfectly embodies her character as the girl in control who, through the beats of this story, has to take a very big look at herself and the life she’s chosen to lead. For Johnson’s Lucy, everything, but especially dating and relationships, comes down to the math. And she has it all figured out. Like a cross between a claims adjuster, banker and mortician, Lucy’s job as a top matchmaker causes her to see people as nothing more than numbers and data points, and all of it in the context of our most important human connection: love. And this is where things get interesting.
Lucy hasn’t given up on love; in fact, she believes wholeheartedly in the joys of marriage and sharing a life with a significant other. However, her quest for self-acceptance and a fulfilling love is intricately tied to her clients’ needs and desires. In Materialists, she embarks on a journey to discover what will truly make her happy. Throughout the story, Johnson faces numerous choices and emotional challenges, and Song’s narrative unfolds with plenty of twists and surprises that will keep the audience engaged in her performance.
Caught up in a very intriguing love triangle in Materialists is Chris Evans as John, Lucy’s ex, who doesn’t even have the luxury of being an everyman but is simply just imperfect. As a part-time waiter and full-time struggling actor, John is a man whose life has gone nowhere and who, in Lucy’s data-driven, economic dating pool, doesn’t even get a look in. As one of Hollywood’s most handsome faces, Materialists and the role of John allow Evans to play completely against type, and there’s a raw sincerity in his character. While the word struggle seems to be synonymous with him, his intentions are above board, and he is genuinely trying throughout this narrative to prove his worth; and he has to confront his feelings and his past in order to move on from his present and into his future. What we get with Evans’ John is a very different type of performance from the actor, and he has an interesting place within this narrative.
Completing the triangle is the man of the moment, Pedro Pascal, and he brings a complete swooning charm as the seemingly perfect New York bachelor, Harry. Handsome, charming, elegant, cultured, fit, tall and most importantly, obscenely wealthy, Harry is a ‘unicorn’, and he soon catches the eye of Lucy, but in a surprise, it’s him giving the chase, and again, this is where the interest builds. As Harry, Pascal appears as his most open and inviting in any of the roles he plays, and while from the film’s marketing materials, you feel Harry’s character is going to move one way, he actually goes in the complete opposite direction. There’s an openness and introspection present within Harry’s character, and his interactions with Lucy, although deeply romantic and bubbly, also present a different type of romantic lead. Materialists see Pascal at his most attractive in the whole context, from appearance to character, and he’ll spark the interest of audience members.
As a cinema experience, Materialists is an utterly gorgeous picture to witness, and this is a film event that manifests itself as a love letter to New York and its community, vibe and atmosphere. Beautifully shot with crisp attention to light and colour by cinematographer Shabier Kirchner on 35mm film stock, there’s a crispness to the imagery, and the experience of seeing Materialists up on the big screen makes for an experience you’ll truly cherish. Materialists builds an atmosphere about it, and from lavish Manhatten penthouses to charming East Village streets to the grungy Brooklyn Burroughs, the very spirit of the New York character is carried into Materialists, and this is a film dripping with authenticity that celebrates not only an environment that never stops moving but that also draws many lovers to it.
Materialists offers a true cinematic experience, showcasing Celine Song’s remarkable talent and deep understanding of storytelling. One of the central themes of the film is the concept of value, which the characters repeatedly confront. This theme is not only explored through the competitive New York dating scene, where money often dictates worth, but also through the reduction of people, and even the idea of love, to mere numbers. This reduction is accompanied by a long list of unrealistic expectations for an ideal partner, which few can ever fulfil.
Song encourages audiences to look beyond superficial appearances. By exploring both desire and honesty, she highlights how recognising intrinsic value and seeking genuine connections can lead to more fulfilling relationships. The film prompts us to question whether, in our fast-paced, modern age — where dating has become a gamified ‘market system’ — we might be better off by opening ourselves up to love and acknowledging the inherent worth we each possess, as well as the worth we can offer others.
Celine Song’s Materialists is a captivating exploration of three characters navigating the complexities of modern dating. The film illustrates how intrinsic worth and genuine connection ultimately outweigh mere data, and it stands out as one of the most clever and original pieces of cinema released this year, showcasing the unique talent of Celine Song. Audiences are sure to fall in love with this Materialists.
Image: Sony Pictures
