Materialists

The Contracting Parties

Materialists is written and directed by Celine Song known for Past Lives (2023), The Wheel of Time (2021), and Working in the Theater (1976). It stars Dakota Johnson as Lucy, an ambitious matchmaker, Chris Evans as John, her imperfect ex, and Pedro Pascal as Harry, the ideal perfect match for any woman in the market for a husband. It’s a fresh take on the romantic drama genre which hasn’t been touched on that often in the past decade. Celine coincidentally released a list of films that were referenced for the Materialists that included: Pride & Prejudice, Age of Innocence, Atonement, and Sense & Sensibility.

While her prior films include the Fifty Shades of Grey series and Sony’s Madame Web, it must be mentioned that Materialists may just be Dakota Johnson’s best on screen performance. She provides a tone and line delivery that is nothing like her previous work. She truly embodies Lucy and its refreshing to see.

Chris Evans, who’s last three films include Honey Don’t! (2025), Red One (2024) and Pain Hustlers (2023), tugs at heartstrings as a man who is deeply in love but feels like he is underserving due to his financial situation. His struggles and backstory are wonderfully shown by Celine Song, but she doesn’t shy away from emphasizing that he’s poor every chance she got.  

Here lies the dilemma.

Rich Man VS Poor Man Propaganda   

Little girls everywhere while growing up were exposed to the same concept: A Fairytale Love with Prince Charming. One day, they wake up and they pass the age of 25 and may be faced with a harsh reality that Prince Charming may not include a castle, with a stacked savings account and several cars to take for a spin. However, that Prince Charming may love you with his entire heart.

Is that enough?

Materialists dives headfirst into a decision that tends to be made, more often now than ever before. When faced with the decision, should you choose to live your life with a millionaire but cannot give you the love that you desire? Or decide to live out the rest of your days with a man with roommates without a dollar to his name but has been in love with you for years?

While viewers are familiar with women being independent and being able to make our own way, there is a plus to being able to be taken care of in the current state of the economy and just ‘making do’ with everything else or the absence thereof. It is important to note that viewers may leave the theater a bit frustrated but it’s important to remember that many women make the exact same decision Lucy did. Her decision is something that happens time and time again. It’s a consensus that viewers are still waiting for a film where the female protagonist makes a different choice than the ‘norm’.

Go Where the Love Is

We, as a society, must learn to go where the love is. It’s rare, it’s frustrating, but it can also be everlasting. Materialists serves as a reminder that there is no such thing as a ‘perfect partner’ but there is something to say about a person who finally hears you, sees you, and attempts to change for the better all the while never losing the love they had for you. The love may come in the form of a man with a 13-million-dollar condo or a man with roommates who drives a beater for a car, but one thing is certain… go for the person who loves you AND treats you how you deserve.