Materialists

When Celine Song’s first film Past Lives came out in 2023, I remember sitting in the theater as the credits rolled—unable to move or say anything. That movie had a profound effect on me, and after multiple viewings (which still get to me), I’ve come to believe something about it: everything is about perspective. And yes, before you say “of course it is,” hear me out. In Past Lives, you have three characters, and depending on whose perspective you view the film through, it changes the meaning of the story. Now Song is back with her follow-up, Materialists, and once again—depending on where you are in life—this movie will either set you back or give you hope.

For Lucy (Dakota Johnson), finding a partner is simple—it’s all math. As a matchmaker, this has served her well. She’s responsible for nine marriages, but in her own life, those same skills may be the reason she’s still single. It wasn’t always that way—she used to be with John (Chris Evans), but that ended a while ago. While attending the wedding of one of her matchmaking successes, she runs into John, who’s working at the event. At that same wedding, Lucy also meets Harry (Pedro Pascal), a very successful man whom Lucy sees as the perfect client for her firm. Harry, however, believes he’s already found his match in Lucy and begins to show her that he can give her the life she’s always wanted.

For Lucy, Harry checks a lot of boxes. But when something happens to one of her clients, it forces her to look at her own life through a different lens, making her question what boxes truly matter when it comes to finding love.

Written and directed by Celine Song, Materialists is a poignant exploration of modern romance and the emotional highs and lows it brings. If you’re expecting a breezy romantic comedy, you might be disappointed—even though it shares some of the familiar rhythms of a rom-com. Where Song really excels is in her ability to balance reality with what we wish could be real. While the film flirts with love-triangle drama, Song’s real interest lies elsewhere. She uses the differences between the two men not to stir conflict, but as a framework for Lucy’s journey of self-discovery. No matter the emotional peaks and valleys, Song keeps the story grounded in the realities of life—leaving audiences to reflect on their own decisions about love.

Materialists is an exquisitely crafted film that will steal your heart—and break it too. It’s thoughtfully paced, ensuring every beat and moment lands with emotional weight. The performances are excellent, but Dakota Johnson shines the brightest. She slips into the role of Lucy with ease, portraying a flawed matchmaker who’s effortlessly cool yet deeply vulnerable. Her performance left me feeling devastated in the best way. Add in Evans—giving his most compelling performance since leaving the MCU—and Pascal being, well, Pedro Pascal (cool and charismatic), and you have a cast that checks all my boxes for a great film.

As in Past Lives, Song once again explores emotional truth—drawing out feelings that go beyond what most films can touch. Ultimately, Materialists is about how we curate our lives—especially in love—and how what we think we want might not be what we truly need. This film confirms that Celine Song is one of the essential cinematic voices of our time, and it has me yearning for whatever she does next.