Cheyenne Suarez

Dakota Johnson and Chris Jones in 'Materialists.' Columbia Pictures

Dakota Johnson and Chris Jones in 'Materialists.'

Article (news)

‘Materialists’ review: Love, luxury and the one who got away

Fred Hawson

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754704592551Materialists_Dakota_Chris.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Dakota Johnson and Chris Jones in &#x27;Materialists.&#x27; Columbia Pictures"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Dakota Johnson and Chris Jones in &#x27;Materialists.&#x27; <em>Columbia Pictures</em></span></span></span></div><p>Lucy (Dakota Johnson) was the star achiever of New York City-based matchmaking company Adore. In her job, she had met a lot of women and heard all sorts of standards they&#x27;ve set for their ideal man. One day, while attending the wedding of one of her successful clients, she was drawn to the groom&#x27;s smart and wealthy brother Harry (Pedro Pascal). Unexpectedly, she also bumped into her ex-boyfriend John (Chris Evans), who was a waiter at the wedding. </p><p>Upon reading the synopsis, the plot of this film seems to be a run-of-the-mill love triangle scenario. However, the main reason for watching this film is not exactly the simplicity of the story nor its all-star cast. The significance of this unassuming little film is that this is the second film written and directed by Celine Song after her impressive debut with &quot;Past Lives&quot; (2023), Oscar Best Picture nominee and Best Original Screenplay winner.  </p><p>Here, Lucy was a relationship expert, someone who possessed the uncanny instinct of matching compatible people together. However, she cannot seem to apply her matching principles on herself when she was caught between two men on opposite sides of the financial spectrum. Going with Harry promised her a life of sure luxury, but how come she still kept on thinking of her ex John, whom she already dumped years ago because he was poor?</p><p>Again, Song&#x27;s eloquent screenplay manages to charm and mesmerize as her words were brought to life by her impossibly attractive actors. On  paper, the occupation of being a professional New York City matchmaker may feel contrived and risky, but Johnson&#x27;s portrayal of Lucy was winsome despite her obvious materialism. Between him and Pascal one-dimensional rich guy Harry, it was Evans&#x27;s underdog John who was easier one to root for.   </p><p>It has long been accepted in our society that diamonds are a girl&#x27;s best friend and that we are living in a material world. Lucy was already living on top of the world, with a rich suitor at her beck and call. Not considering that he looked like Chris Evans, does a poor guy like John realistically have any chance of getting this girl whom he loved despite being way out of her league? Now, you will need to go watch this film to find out. </p><div><em><br/></em></div><div><em>This review was originally published in the author&#x27;s blog, “<a href="https://said-fred.blogspot.com/2025/08/review-of-materialists-luxury-of-love.html">Fred Said</a>.”</em></div>

<p>Love or money? 💍✨ In ‘Materialists,’ Dakota Johnson is a top NYC matchmaker caught between Pedro Pascal’s wealthy charmer and Chris Evans’ penniless ex — in Celine Song’s witty follow-up to ‘Past Lives.’</p>

Love or money? 💍✨ In ‘Materialists,’ Dakota Johnson is a top NYC matchmaker caught between Pedro Pascal’s wealthy charmer and Chris Evans’ penniless ex — in Celine Song’s witty follow-up to ‘Past Lives.’