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. Released 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
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
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
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
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 was released 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.
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.
