5 Reasons Why ‘Materialists’ Works with Its Familiar Romance
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‘Materialists’ dwells into a love conundrum as old as time – do you pick love or do you pick wealth? When films pit a rich boy against a poor boy in a romantic triangle, there are usually only two likely outcomes: either the girl chooses the wealthy guy, even if the sparks aren’t as strong, or she marries the broke guy, knowing it might mean a harder life, but one filled with more love (‘The Notebook’, ‘Sweet Home Alabama’). And then, of course, there’s the third possibility: she ditches them both and walks into the sunset alone, with her favorite beverage and book in hand. Or maybe she adopts a puppy or a bunch of kittens.
Written and directed by Celine Song, ‘Materialists’ follows Dakota Johnson plays as the smart, stylish matchmaker Lucy, navigating the high-stakes world of love, luxury, and loyalty in New York City. She’s built her life around connecting wealthy clients with their perfect partners, with little interest in her own personal life. But when the charming, wealthy and near-perfect Harry (Pedro Pascal) starts to pursue her, she finds herself giving romance a shot. And things get more interesting when she runs into her dashing but not-so-successful ex John (Chris Evans), who still makes her heart flutter a bit.
*Spoilers Ahead*
Here are five reasons that make ‘Materialists’ tick as a modern day romance:
1. Both Love Rivals Are Charming: Celine Song presents viewers with two incredibly charming leads, making it genuinely difficult to pick a side. In most love triangles, there’s usually one clear favorite, but ‘Materialists’ complicates that formula. Both Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans’ characters bring their own strengths and appeal, especially when you set aside the size of their bank accounts. Sure, the title might suggest that Pedro Pascal is the obvious choice, but the way the story unfolds makes it feel like Lucy can’t go wrong, either man would be a win for Lucy in his own way.
2. It’s Theatrical Without Being Over The Top: When we say ‘theatrical, what it means it that ‘Materialists’ often had a stage-like quality to it in many scenes. Some of the dialogues are too rehearsed, and lack the smooth spontaneity of natural interactions, obviously to sound more perfect than impromptu responses, yet, it’s not gratingly rehearsed.
3. Lucy Is Relatable: Okay, this should’ve probably been the first point, but Dakota has a quirky-awkward onscreen charm that seems perfect for her character Lucy. Sure, her portrayal is no different than some of the other characters she has played, in fact, she is also called Lucy in ‘Am I Ok?’, but it works. Like most women who might have a hard time deciding between ‘what the heart wants’ and ‘what the wallet wants’, Lucy knows the pros and cons of choosing between Harry and John. In the end, instead of relying on the man to get what she wants, she decides to get whatever she wants, knowing she makes enough to take care of herself.
4. Everybody Has Insecurities… And ‘Materialists’ Actually Gets That Right
Unlike most glossy rom-coms where everyone’s either flawless or conveniently flawed, The Materialists gives its characters real, oddly specific insecurities, like being too rich to be taken seriously or worrying that your dating profile screams “finance bro.” It doesn’t go deep-dive therapy mode, but it lets people be messy in small, believable ways. You watch and go, “Huh… I’ve felt weirdly that exact thing before.” That scene where Pedro Pascal’s Harry admits to having height-increasing surgery, and Lucy casually points to her nose and says its fake? It’s one of ‘Materialists’ most tender moments. In just a few lines, they’re quietly telling each other, “We’re not perfect, and that’s completely okay.”
5. The Characters Dress So Well, You Forget the Plot’s Been Done 300 Times
Like, who cares if you’ve seen this story before when everyone looks like they just walked out of a Vogue cover shoot? Half the movie feels like a high-end fashion catalog sprinkled with feelings. You’re not here for plot twists, you’re here for aesthetic inspiration and the occasional gasp at what Lucy is wearing.
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