Materialists (2025 Full Film) Movie Review & Breakdown – What Happens When Romance Becomes a Business?

Materialists (2025) – Celine Song’s Sophisticated Spin on Modern Romance

From acclaimed filmmaker Celine Song, the visionary behind Past Lives, comes Materialists (2025), a romantic comedy that breaks genre expectations with sharp wit, emotional complexity, and a stylish NYC backdrop. Releasing in U.S. theaters on June 13, 2025 via A24 and internationally through Sony Pictures on August 16, 2025, this film is set to spark debate on love, ambition, and what truly matters in relationships.

Plot Overview: Matchmaker, Match Thyself

Set in the hyper-social world of New York’s elite, Materialists follows Lucy (Dakota Johnson), a successful matchmaker who’s built a career on curating love for others — but whose own heart remains a mystery even to herself. Her professional polish begins to crack when she meets Harry (Pedro Pascal), a magnetic, affluent new client. Just hours later, she bumps into John (Chris Evans), the ex-boyfriend who once challenged her emotionally but couldn’t meet her ambitions.

Torn between the promise of security and the pull of unresolved love, Lucy is forced to navigate the clash of material desire and emotional truth.

Main Cast & Character Breakdown

Dakota Johnson as Lucy

Known for her fearless, emotionally intelligent performances (Cha Cha Real Smooth, The Lost Daughter), Johnson brings layered vulnerability to Lucy — a woman balancing professional confidence with romantic uncertainty.

Pedro Pascal as Harry Castillo

The Chilean-American star (The Last of Us, The Mandalorian) plays Harry with his signature charm and understated intensity. A self-made millionaire, Harry offers Lucy the life she thought she wanted — but at what cost?

Chris Evans as John

Best known as Captain America, Evans trades in his shield for emotional scars in Materialists. As Lucy’s ex, John is rougher around the edges — but maybe more aligned with her values than she realizes.

Supporting Cast:

• Zoë Winters as Lucy’s overachieving best friend
• Marin Ireland as Lucy’s therapist-turned-client
• Dasha Nekrasova as a chaotic socialite client
• Louisa Jacobson and Sawyer Spielberg round out the elite NYC matchmaking circle

Behind the Scenes: Crafting Romance on 35mm

Shot entirely on 35mm film by Shabier Kirchner (Past Lives), Materialists embraces a textured, analog aesthetic rarely seen in today’s rom-coms. Production took place in NYC from April to June 2024, with director Celine Song orchestrating a tone that blends irony, glamour, and heartbreak.

Notably, Song described this film as “a story about people who commodify love, only to realize that love isn’t a commodity.” Expect layered subtext beneath the glossy surface.

Themes and Psychological Layers

Love vs. Security

Lucy’s romantic triangle reflects the internal battle many face between emotional depth and financial stability. Celine Song doesn’t just ask “Who will she choose?” — she asks “What does love mean when money is on the table?”

Modern Femininity

The film subtly critiques societal expectations placed on women to “have it all.” Lucy’s personal journey is symbolic of a generation questioning hustle culture and redefining success.

The Commodification of Romance

As a professional matchmaker, Lucy’s job involves translating desire into transactions. But her own story forces her to confront the limits of rationalizing love.

Memorable Scenes (Spoiler-Free)

• A rooftop soirée where Lucy’s two worlds collide — ex and new — amid fireworks and flirtation.
• A therapy session turned breakdown that reveals the cracks beneath Lucy’s curated facade.
• A quiet subway ride — no dialogue, just glances — that communicates more than any grand speech.

Performance Highlights

• Johnson excels in subtle emotional reversals — smiling for clients one moment, crumbling in private the next.
• Evans plays against type, with a quiet restraint and melancholy that gives John depth.
• Pascal oozes confidence and ambiguity, leaving viewers uncertain whether to trust Harry or fear him.

Where to Watch Materialists

Materialists hits U.S. theaters on June 13, 2025, through A24, with an international release scheduled for August 16, 2025 via Sony Pictures. As of now, there’s no confirmed streaming platform, but it is expected to become available on Max or Netflix after its theatrical run, given A24’s past distribution patterns.

⚠️ Please note: Our blog does not host or provide any downloads or streaming of this film. To watch Materialists legally, visit your local theaters or official streaming services upon release.

Deeper Interpretation: The “Materialist” Archetype

In Jungian terms, Lucy represents the Persona — the social mask worn for survival. Harry symbolizes the Animus, offering external validation, while John serves as a projection of the Shadow — unresolved parts of Lucy’s psyche. The real journey isn’t about choosing between men, but reclaiming authenticity in a world obsessed with status.

Final Thoughts

Materialists is more than a romantic comedy — it’s a quietly radical take on modern love, ambition, and emotional survival. With stylish direction, psychological complexity, and a stunning lead trio, it’s bound to become one of 2025’s most talked-about films.

Mark your calendars. Fall in love with Materialists this June