Phil Roberts 
Materialists is witty, engrossing, and infectious. Although Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans shine as love interests, it’s Dakota Johnson who sparkles in a tour-de-force performance that serves as the perfect rebound relationship for her previous woes.
We all have our go-to rom-coms. Whether it’s Pretty Woman, Dirty Dancing, or even Sleepless in Seattle, there is a treasure trove of romantic comedies to sink into with a tub of ice cream and a warm cushion. Enter Celine Song. The visionary director has already added a fresh take on the genre with her 2023 hit Past Lives. So, when she signed on the dotted line to direct Materialists, it certainly raised a few eyebrows. But when the cast boasts the talents of Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, who wouldn’t want to take on the challenge?
So, the burning question is: can Celine Song do the unthinkable and deliver another fresh twist on the rom-com formula? Or has Pedro Pascal fatigue finally caught up with us? Has the world finally grown tired of Chris Evans’ charm? Or is Dakota Johnson about to rebound from her embarrassing spell as Madame Web?
REVIEW
Fear not, romance fans, because Materialists is another refreshing and modern spin on the rom-com formula. While it may not reinvent the wheel or introduce anything groundbreaking to the genre, it provides everything you would expect from a star-crossed love adventure. It’s witty, engrossing, and infectious. Although Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans shine as love interests, it’s Dakota Johnson who sparkles in a tour-de-force performance that serves as the perfect rebound relationship for her previous woes. This story pivots from the usual plot by following Johnson’s professional love matchmaker, who unexpectedly discovers her dream man while she’s busy trying to set up her clients.
Although this isn’t significantly different from familiar themes, it gives Celine Song creative freedom to introduce more serious elements. This is where its freshness shines through. From its satire of the modern dating game to shining a light on the risks associated with blind dates, there is virgin territory to be explored, and that is where the meat of the story truly lies.
A TRIED AND TESTED PLOT
So, let’s pull the band-aid off and come out and say, this film is a bit of a mixed bag. Yes, the performances are exceptional, and the fresh elements help to keep the film light and compelling, but it’s a rom-com, and they all have a checklist of tropes to fit in. Instead of pussyfooting around them, Celine Song throws them in with some additional window dressing to make them less obvious. This helps to avoid comparisons with other films of its type. But the traditional checklist is there for all to see. We have a career-driven matchmaker who, after having her heart broken, meets the man of her dreams.
But is her checklist of marriage criteria actually that conceited? Are materialistic goods really the foundations of a genuine relationship? It is a moral debate raging in everyone’s life at some point or another. Song takes the gloves off and has the moxy to throw the conversation out there for all to see.
THREE’S A CROWD
Of course, the duo becomes a trio when her old flame re-enters the scene, and then, as always, the traditional “who should I choose?” trope rears its ugly head. But it’s a tried and tested formula, and who are we to question what works? So let’s get down to brass tacks. Pedro Pascal, in his second film in just a few short weeks, plays the billionaire love interest called Harry. He’s into finance, has a luxury multimillion-dollar penthouse, and has more assets than Dakota Johnson’s Lucy can imagine. On paper, Harry is a prime catch, or a unicorn as Lucy describes him, and he ticks every box her criteria demands.
But does this make him her ideal partner? Her matchmaking skills say yes, but her heart is something entirely different. This all comes to a head when her former lover, Chris Evans’ John, suddenly pops back into the picture. It is here where we get to the heart of the matter. Lucy left him years earlier because he was a struggling actor and was always broke. In the years that followed, she shut herself off from romance, waiting for Mister Right to walk in the door. What follows is an exploration of which of these respective suitors is her match. Hence…Materialists.
MORE THAN A ROM-COM?
The film balances humor with poignant moments. It explores John’s struggles as a caterer and highlights the extreme measures billionaires take to enhance their appeal to potential partners. Overall, the film provides a commentary on the true costs of materialism and offers several moments for us to reflect on. This doesn’t apply only to the romantic aspects; in fact, Lucy’s journey is perhaps the most striking, especially when one of her clients is sexually assaulted on one of her dates. This offers one of the film’s more tangible narratives and gives us something of substance to chew on while the romance blossoms.
Obviously, the storyline isn’t that linear; there are many bumps in the road, but eventually, we find ourselves back on the pathway to formula, and the film plays out to its inevitable conclusion. But it offers a few nuggets of substance for us to absorb and contemplate long after the credits have rolled, and that is something few rom-coms achieve.
PERFORMANCES
Celine Song’s sharp and witty screenplay demands actors of pedigree, and I’m pleased to say that each member of this talented cast meets the expectations. Cinephiles growing tired of Pedro Pascal‘s charm will be delighted to hear his role in the film is fleeting, but he makes an impact every time he appears. He imbues Harry with legitimate depth, and we feel for his character when the chips are down. This is the hallmark of a seasoned performer at the very top of his game, and here, although his role is minimal, Pascal is a joy to watch.
Chris Evans’ John finds himself involved slightly more than Pascal, but he, too, is discarded to the fringes for large parts of the film. However, unlike Pascal, who is reserved in his role, Evans is allowed to flex his muscles and bring more of his charming wit and energy to the table. Evans is clearly enjoying life post-Marvel, and it shows. Here he has found a character of legitimate depth, and he brings John to life with renewed energy and grace. It isn’t Evans’ best performance by far, but his energy is infectious, and like Pascal, it is a treat to watch him grow into the role.
DAZZLING DAKOTA
But there is only one star of this show, and the limelight belongs to Dakota Johnson. After her challenging experience as Madame Web, Johnson needed a strong comeback, and I am delighted to say she delivers with remarkable skill. She shines in this role. In her performance, Johnson exhibits a maturity that adds depth to her character. Lucy is calm, assured, and highly confident—qualities that radiate from the screen. Even when her composure falters and she has to confront the pain she has caused, Johnson embraces the guilt and truly excels. We feel her raw emotions, share in her guilt, and support her journey. We hope she ultimately finds a rewarding and happy ending with a suitor who is well-suited for her.
This ultimately depends on the character’s ability to look beyond her materialistic tendencies. In a world where finances influence nearly every aspect of our daily lives, this story will provide us with several opportunities for self-reflection as the credits roll.
VERDICT
Overall, Materialists is a solid, fresh, and enjoyable rom-com that benefits from its incredible cast, its bold and ambitious writer/director, and its willingness to add a fresh twist on the tried and tested formula. Sure, it won’t win any awards for its originality, but it delivers precisely what we want from the genre. It’s a fun, occasionally humorous, and uplifting film that adds more depth to the material than I expected. This is the perfect choice for a date night; it will spark conversation and help us appreciate our loved ones a little more during those few hours. It has more than enough quality for the men in the room, and ample amounts of smooze for appeasing even the biggest of hopeless romantics.
With its glowing performances, Materialists is your perfect companion for a cozy night in. So, whether you’re heading out to the cinema or watching it from home, warm up the popcorn and snuggle up to your loved ones for a fun, if formulaic, romantic comedy with a twist.
Materialists is currently available on PVOD in the United States. Fans in the UK can catch the film in cinemas from August 15th.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
