š¬š„ Materialists Movie Review: Money vs Love Showdown! š±š
- MediaFx
- Jun 18
- 2 min read
TL;DR:Ā In Materialists, director Celine Song crafts a sharp, stylish romantic triangleāmatchmaker Lucy (Dakota Johnson) torn between wealthy Harry (Pedro Pascal) and her scrappy ex John (Chris Evans). Itās less fluff, more reality-check: love gets measured in bank balances and emotional growth š¦š. With biting satire, 35āÆmm beauty, and strong performances, the film explores modern datingās transactional heartābut feels emotionally cautious at times. Ultimately, Lucy wakes up to love over wealth, but the journey isnāt sugar-coated š«š¬.

š What Makes MaterialistsĀ Tick?
1. Plot & Characters
Lucy is the go-to matchmaker in NYC's elite worldāshe marries people for money andĀ love... or at least tries to š.
She meets Harry, the perfect āunicornā: six-foot, rich, handsomeābasically ideal on paper (thanks to Pedro Pascalās 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 romācom and introspective dramaāno clichĆ© fireworks here. Instead, thereās a slow-burn vibe with philosophical digs at dating culture.
Viewers describe it as āAusten-like satire meets modern money troublesā.
3. Themes & Social Commentary
Big focus on #Materialism: salary, rent, legālengthening 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 35āÆmm, the film is gorgeously lit, contrasting luxe spaces (Harryās world) with gritty, hand-held intimacy (Johnās world)Ā .
Dakota Johnson shines as a detached yet slowly vulnerable heroineĀ .
Pascalās opulent charm and Evansā 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 licenseāreal love wins, but itās uncertain (they admit there's a 50ā50 shot).
The film tastes bittersweet, making the audience question whether love or wealth truly leads to satisfactionĀ .
š¬ Youthy Take & #hashtags
This film speaks straight to youth who juggle #CareerGoals, #DatingStruggles, and the elusive dream of #TrueLove in a capitalist world šøš. It says: "You can chase the money, but donāt forget to chase your heart." #GenZ vibes meets ideological reflection, just the brew for our times ā.
š MediaFx Opinion
From a workingāclass, socialist viewpoint, MaterialistsĀ exposesĀ how capitalism turns love into a marketplace. People get commodifiedāvalued for height, bank balance, designer lofts. But love emerges anyway, proving emotional connection fights back against market logic š„. Still, itās quiet, not radicalāno big shakeāups, just personal awakenings. We'd want a bit more revolutionary punch, but it's a thoughtful start that reminds us: not everything can be boughtāeven under capitalism.
š Should You Watch?
Yes, if you dig smart romācoms that critique society, with classy visuals and solid acting.
Maybe skip, if you were expecting fluff or dramatic fireworksāitās subtle, more introspective.
āļø Key Stats
Detail | Info |
š„ Runtime | 117 min |
šµ Budget vs Gross | $20M budget, ~$15.5M worldwide |
š CinemaScore | Bā from general audiences |
šļø Shot on | 35āÆmm by Shabier Kirchner |
š Romācom grade | B to B+ from EW and others |
š¬ Join the Conversation!
Drop your thoughts belowš:
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?
Letās get it going!