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šŸŽ¬šŸ”„ Materialists Movie Review: Money vs Love Showdown! šŸ˜±šŸ’”

TL;DR:Ā In Materialists, director Celine Song crafts a sharp, stylish romantic triangle—matchmaker Lucy (Dakota Johnson) torn between wealthy Harry (Pedro Pascal) and her scrappy ex John (Chris Evans). It’s less fluff, more reality-check: love gets measured in bank balances and emotional growth šŸ¦šŸ’ž. With biting satire, 35 mm beauty, and strong performances, the film explores modern dating’s transactional heart—but feels emotionally cautious at times. Ultimately, Lucy wakes up to love over wealth, but the journey isn’t sugar-coated šŸš«šŸ¬.

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šŸ” What Makes MaterialistsĀ Tick?

1. Plot & Characters

  • Lucy is the go-to matchmaker in NYC's elite world—she marries people for money andĀ love... or at least tries to šŸ˜Ž.

  • She meets Harry, the perfect ā€œunicornā€: six-foot, rich, handsome—basically ideal on paper (thanks to Pedro Pascal’s suave take).

  • But her heart still flares for John, her broke, struggling ex (Chris Evans), where raw chemistry reignsĀ .

2. Tonal Blend

  • The film lives between rom‑com and introspective drama—no clichĆ© fireworks here. Instead, there’s a slow-burn vibe with philosophical digs at dating culture.

  • Viewers describe it as ā€œAusten-like satire meets modern money troublesā€.

3. Themes & Social Commentary

  • Big focus on #Materialism: salary, rent, leg‑lengthening surgery, and emotional calculus play roles in modern romance.

  • Professional matchmakers weigh in: some praise the realism, others worry it paints their work too coldly.

4. Visuals & Performances

  • Shot on 35 mm, the film is gorgeously lit, contrasting luxe spaces (Harry’s world) with gritty, hand-held intimacy (John’s world)Ā .

  • Dakota Johnson shines as a detached yet slowly vulnerable heroineĀ .

  • Pascal’s opulent charm and Evans’ earthy grit make the love triangle feel realĀ .

5. Ending & Impact

  • Lucy breaks up with Harry, chooses John, and the couple applies for a marriage license—real love wins, but it’s uncertain (they admit there's a 50–50 shot).

  • The film tastes bittersweet, making the audience question whether love or wealth truly leads to satisfactionĀ .

šŸ’¬ Youthy Take & #hashtags

This film speaks straight to youth who juggle #CareerGoals, #DatingStruggles, and the elusive dream of #TrueLove in a capitalist world šŸ’øšŸ’”. It says: "You can chase the money, but don’t forget to chase your heart." #GenZ vibes meets ideological reflection, just the brew for our times ✊.

šŸŒ MediaFx Opinion

From a working‑class, socialist viewpoint, MaterialistsĀ exposesĀ how capitalism turns love into a marketplace. People get commodified—valued for height, bank balance, designer lofts. But love emerges anyway, proving emotional connection fights back against market logic šŸ’„. Still, it’s quiet, not radical—no big shake‑ups, just personal awakenings. We'd want a bit more revolutionary punch, but it's a thoughtful start that reminds us: not everything can be bought—even under capitalism.

šŸ‘€ Should You Watch?

  • Yes, if you dig smart rom‑coms that critique society, with classy visuals and solid acting.

  • Maybe skip, if you were expecting fluff or dramatic fireworks—it’s subtle, more introspective.

āœ”ļø Key Stats

Detail

Info

šŸŽ„ Runtime

117 min

šŸ’µ Budget vs Gross

$20M budget, ~$15.5M worldwide

šŸ“ˆ CinemaScore

B– from general audiences

šŸŽžļø Shot on

35 mm by Shabier Kirchner

šŸ‘— Rom‑com grade

B to B+ from EW and others

šŸ’¬ Join the Conversation!

Drop your thoughts belowšŸ‘‡:

  • Would youĀ pick love or a luxury life?

  • Does the film handle #Capitalism and #Romance realistically?

  • What do you think of using matchmaking as a business?

Let’s get it going!

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