The Materialists

The Materialists

A Bleak Social Drama in a Rom-Com Wrapper

★★★☆☆

A literal warning about the cold, transactional nature of 2025 courtship.

The Materialists is billed as a romantic comedy, but the movie isn't comedic and is honestly not especially romantic. Directed by Celine Song, fresh from her critically acclaimed Past Lives, the film features an affable cast including Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans. However, their natural charm is used to mask characters that are intentionally unlikable.

"The title is actually not a clever pun. It is a literal warning."

— Review Snippet

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Director/Writer: Celine Song
• Starring: Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, Chris Evans
• Key Dept: Produced by A24

The Vision

Song is reflecting a cynical truth: the modern dating landscape is frankly not very appealing. She uses the aesthetic package of a cinematic rom-com to pull a bait-and-switch, making the film's social commentary on the transactional nature of dating more jarring and effective. It is less about love and more about the "warts" of romance characters.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• NYC Roots: Like Past Lives, the film is set against the high-stakes backdrop of the New York City elite.
• A24 Reunion: This marks Celine Song’s second high-profile collaboration with A24.
• The Casting: The leads were chosen specifically for their "charismatic charm" to heighten the impact of their characters' cynical behavior.

✅ Pros

• Soulful, if cold, social commentary on 2025 dating.
• Exceptional chemistry from a top-tier cast.

❌ Cons

• Deliberate "misdirect" in marketing may alienate audiences.
• Lacks the traditional warmth or humor expected of the genre.

🏆 Final Verdict

If you're looking for traditional romantic entertainment, run towards Notting Hill. But if you want a cynical, awkward, and cold autopsy of modern courtship, The Materialists is for you.

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