The lead characters do a lot of mathematics in Materialists. Math in the movies might seem like a turn-off, but it’s the kind of math you’d expect the “material”-minded leads to be calculating — so most of the time, it’s all good fun. This is a rom-com after all, the second feature from Past Lives writer-director Celine Song. Her first feature also centered on love, but was very much a drama; the Oscar-nominated stunner begged a question: Could its creator match such tear-jerking quality in her forthcoming movie? Absolutely.
Song’s A24 follow-up is on par with its groundbreaking predecessor, and her three A-lister leads shine as well. It’d be great to see a win for both Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans on the performance front — as well as fan-favorite Pedro Pascal maintaining his momentum. Materialists succeeds on these fronts by expanding Song’s repertoire into a more laugh-out-loud project, while honoring the emotionally draining impact of Past Lives.
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Dakota Johnson, Matchmaker
4
/5
Release Date
June 25, 2025
Director
Celine Song
Writers
Celine Song
Producers
Christine Vachon, Pamela Koffler
It’s always refreshing when a movie acknowledges its stars’ good looks as part of the story. First, there’s protagonist Lucy, who gets double-takes on the streets of New York City, where Song’s new film is set. But given her profession as a literal matchmaker, she’ll catch these glances, approach the gentlemen with her business card and offer her services. Lucy is a former actress, and an all-around magnetic presence. In the first act of Materialists, Lucy is invited to the wedding of a couple she matched through her company, which is run by her peppy pal Violet (The Boys scene-stealer Marin Ireland). Lucy is the first one the bridesmaids grab for help when the bride-to-be has a meltdown: She’s a pro at everything love-related, even offering last-minute unofficial therapy on a stressed-out woman’s wedding day. But what about Lucy’s own love life?
At that very wedding, Lucy meets best man Harry (Pascal), who’s a “10 out of 10” as he seduces Lucy at the singles’ table. Even after crunching some numbers in her calculating brain, Lucy agrees Harry is a “10” and agrees to go on a date with him. However, as often happens in rom-coms, this chance meeting comes with a blast from the past in the form of Lucy’s scruffy ex John (Evans), who happens to be catering the event. He slyly interrupts Lucy and Harry’s conversation by presenting Lucy with her drinks of choice — “Isn’t that just perfect,” Harry says, rolling his eyes as Lucy and John reconnect rn front of him.
Despite his down-and-out demeanor, aspiring actor John still has enough pizzazz to instantly engage Lucy, even giving her a lift home that night. Lucy goes so far as to invite him upstairs once he drops her off, but he declines. But their re-connection has now been established, setting into motion the ever-so-juicy love triangle teased in the film’s trailers. But what the marketing campaign didn’t reveal was a B-story involving one of Lucy’s clients, Sophie (Zoë Winters, in an awards-caliber performance), who’s one bad date away from terminating her membership. That bad date arrives while Lucy is having a romantic night at Harry’s luxurious bachelor pad, and when Lucy learns the shocking reason why Sophie’s latest setup went wrong, her professional and love lives are thrown for a catastrophic loop.
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Reigniting the Rom-Com
A24
Sophie’s memorable throughline in Materialists is just one example of how writer-director Song is able to dance between comedy, romance, heartbreak and emotional gravity with ease. She captures it all with skilled, sexy camerawork that weaves through immaculate setups that will leave moviegoers itching for her next big-screen endeavor. Lucy’s emotionally charged moments opposite love-stricken John and the increasingly insecure Harry are relatable, and cut deeper as the story progresses. Song effectively elevates the romantic comedy formula with Materialists, versus simply trying her hand at the genre.
These beats wouldn’t hit as hard without the stars going all in to bring Song’s words to life. The dynamic Lucy might be Johnson’s finest role to date, and Evans’ turn as an NYC wiseguy with a lovable soul is his best since Knives Out. Pascal’s Harry initially appears to be a layup for a fan-favorite performer, but as Lucy learns more about Harry, SAG Award-winner Pascal is pitch-perfect in the unpredictable part. Overall, Materialists’ only real flaw is the multiple fake-out endings in the final act. But in a box-office era where adult-friendly selections are dominated by big-budget, violence-heavy blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and Sinners, Materialists shines as a truly impactful movie.
A24 will release Materalists in theaters on Friday, June 13, 2025.
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