‘MATERIALISTS’: A MODERN TAKE ON DATING AND LOVE (DOES IT GET IT RIGHT?)

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One of the rare films that almost enticed me into a theater seat, Materialists was “the” rom-com summertime boasted about. Finally, widely available to stream, I’m ready to discover if the film is worth that wait.

Materialists (2025) Film Review

Living in New York and working as a matchmaker naturally means that Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is ambitious. She has big plans and dreams for her life, some of which include living a life of good things. This seems to be heading in the right direction when, while attending a wedding, she meets Harry (Pedro Pascal). A wealthy gentleman, Lucy is more than a little attracted to him. She ends up spending a good deal of time with Harry and together, they seem unstoppable and perfect together.

While in this burgeoning crush, she also reconnects with John (Chris Evans), the ex she has a complicated past with. A struggling actor who isn’t doing so well in life, John represents everything Lucy doesn’t want. Then, despite all of her own complications, something bad happens to a client. This sends Lucy into a tailspin and convinced she is doing nothing good, she doubts everything. Thus begins a complicated set of emotions made more so by this love triangle even the matchmaker may not be prepared to handle.

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‘MATERIALISTS’: A MODERN TAKE ON DATING AND LOVE (DOES IT GET IT RIGHT?). #DakotaJohnson leads the cast in one of the buzzy summer titles. #Materialists #Romance Share on X

Back when it made its drop in theaters, which was in June, Materialists is one of those films that did tempt me to head to the theaters. I didn’t ultimately but was glad that a wide streaming release is finally here. The film is very modern (beyond just its 2025 year) with its New York setting and very aesthetic looks as a result. Speaking of looks and such, the film does open on weird setting. I get what the visual is doing and how the story conveys this, but it’s still “off.” The cast has three popular stars, and also lots of other familiar faces too.

Social media cannot get enough of one of these stars; Chris Evans featured in Marvel as Captain America which won him many fans; and the leading lady has a starring role in a series of adaptation films. So, yeah, the cast is likely to make many would-be viewers curious. Beyond this, you’ll also see (albeit briefly) TV stars like Madeline Wise (So Help Me Todd), Louisa Jacobson (Gilded Age) and Eddie Cahill who some will remember from CSI. Like I said, there is a cast full of familiar names. For period drama fans, Dakota Johnson also starred in the last adaptation of Persuasion.

This, for me, isn’t my idea of a “perfect” romantic comedy however Materialists is still entertaining and fun to watch. Putting it in a box that isn’t the romcom, I do admit, I like this film. Its unexplainably gentle and while I think it misses the mark on some of its conclusions of love and attractiveness, it likely is a harsh reality of dating. It has some surprisingly interesting and deep conversations, and I appreciate that. I enjoyed seeing Chris Evans play in a role opposite what he is best known for, and I did appreciate some of the softer sweet moments that make up the film. The pacing isn’t always something that works super well for the story (it moves slow), but it is helmed by Celine Song whose prior work Past Lives from 2023 is popular among fans.

I don’t know if this will be a frequent re-watch, but I am glad to have seen it. If you like other more recent rom-coms like Anyone But You or The Idea of You then this deserves your attention.

Stream, at publication, Materialists exclusively with HBO Max; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

Photos: Alamy

Content: there is talk about looks and how attractive someone is. A couple goes home together, making out and undressing each other; a scene shows them after covered in sheets. There is discussion about an assault. There is also heavier profanity (though less than I expected) that comes with the R-rating, mainly the f-word (which is most often in a cluster of uses).

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