‘Materialists’ Review: Celine Song is Two For Two 

Celine Song instantly stole the hearts of many moviegoers with her debut feature Past Lives. In the case of a first-time director striking gold, there are often people who doubt whether that same spark will happen again. I am happy to report that Song has not fallen into a sophomore slump. Instead, Celine Song made a film that will make you laugh, cry, get butterflies, and make you examine the present dating landscape. Materialists felt personal, yet universal. The film follows Lucy, a successful matchmaker living in New York, who is torn between two lives. She could choose her past flame with financial problems or the perfect on paper millionaire. Read our full review for Materialists below. 

This review contains spoilers for Materialists.

Rom-coms are back, but in a different way. The marketing by A24 was a tad deceiving. They did make this look like a cookie-cutter rom-com in trailers, but anyone who has seen Celine Song’s past work would know that there was more under the surface. For casual moviegoers looking for a cheesy, turn-of-your-mind rom-com, Materialists is not for you at that moment. If you meet the movie on its terms, then you will probably enjoy it. I have seen a lot of people online claiming Materialists is not a rom-com, and I have to disagree. This feels like the natural progression of what a modern rom-com could be. The main criticism thrown at older rom-coms from the 90s to early 2000s is that they are unrealistic, cheesy, or that all the characters live in a bubble. Materialists is incredibly candid about the modern dating landscape and how standards for partners have become impossible to meet. I will always love my 13 Going on 30s or Notting Hill’s, but there is room for Materialists under the rom-com label. 

One of the main draws of Materialists is the cast. Dakota Johnson is perfectly cast, to the point where I think this is her best performance of her career. Pedro Pascal is subdued but fits so naturally into his character. His character Harry feels so fully realised thanks in part to the writing, but is sent over the edge by Pascal. Chris Evans is probably my least favorite performance of the three, but it still probably one of his best. His character was given one of the best monologues in the entire film, a profession of love that is in parts frustration but also yearning. I’m just saying the line “I’m a beggar for you” is an all-time rom-com line for me. Evans did not completely sell the struggling actor character as much as I wanted him to. Altogether, it is an amazing ensemble that, for the most part, gives perfect performances. 

I want to comment on the ending because I know it will ruffle some feathers. I went into the movie joking that I would hate it if she did not choose Pedro Pascal’s character. I retract that statement. Lucy ends up with her past flame, John (Chris Evans), who is basically unemployed but has her heart. I do not know how anyone at the end of this movie would still want Lucy to be with Harry (Pascal). They blatantly say to each other that they do not love the other. Call me a romantic, but checking boxes means nothing if love is not on the table. Basically the entire message of the movie. So calling Materialists “poor man propaganda” is funny, but also ignores the rationale of the characters and the point of the movie. Yes, choosing John is a stupid decision on paper, but love makes a fool out of most people. 

What is most clear to me from Materialists is that Celine Song has a distinct voice that I am growing to love. What I admire most about her two films are that there are no villains. In Past Lives, it would have been so easy to make her American husband look like a worse option, but instead, she shows that Nora married him for a reason. Materialists does the same. Of course, you are gonna choose your favorite potential partner, that is only natural, but there is no clear choice. This not only makes the characters more realistic, but it makes the films more interesting. I also enjoy how emotionally intelligent her characters are, and how they talk endlessly about love and their motivations. I find it refreshing how honest the characters are with each other and this to me is a calling card for Song. She clearly has a unique writing style that I personally love. Celine Song is officially two for two.  

Materialists is the second feature from writer and director Celine Song. The film stars Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans. Materialists hits theaters on June 13th. 

Thanks for reading this review of Materialists. For more reviews, stay tuned here at Feature First.