Cinema needs more romance and romantic comedy films like MATERIALISTS, which are complex stories about complicated humans falling in and out of love for relatable reasons. Writer/Director Celine Song delivers on this even though she’s cast three of the most physically attractive people in the world. Don’t miss out on what’s now hit the top of my 2025 films alongside SINNERS.
The summer of Pedro (Pascal) Cinema has begun! MATERIALISTS hit the big screen this weekend and will follow with Ari Aster’s EDDINGTON on July 18th and Pascal’s MCU debut in FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS on July 25th. Pedro does seem to be everywhere lately, but as a long-time fan, I couldn’t be happier. When I heard he was making this film with Song and co-stars Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans, my curiosity truly piqued. I’ve loved Evans turns in the MCU, but outside of that and his role in Rian Johnson’s KNIVES OUT, he’s had a hard time following up Captain America with anything too meaty, until now. Johnson, who sometimes faces criticism due to her famous parents or her roles in the 50 SHADES films, is a wonderful actress who excels when working with the right directors. Don’t see the 50 SHADES trilogy or MADAME WEBB, go for BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE, PEANUT BUTTER FALCON, or THE LOST DAUGHTER instead.Â
While MATERIALISTS does have some laughs, there is also a dark turn that, as an unmarried woman in the dating scene, felt incredibly relevant. The trailer for the film doesn’t do it justice, and if I had not seen Song’s Oscar-nominated PAST LIVES, I probably would have thought I was seeing a more by-the-book romcom. Another little surprise from the film was Chris Evans stealing almost every scene he’s in. This is in no way a knock on Johnson or other actors he appears beside, but it was just wonderful to see what I already knew he was capable of. Pedro is also wonderful, but serves more of a supporting part than I expected.
My biggest critique of the film is something I’ve long been critical of in other rom-coms and romance movies. None of these characters seems to have any friends outside of each other. Because of this, love interests are forced into situations with one another that generally would be between friends and confidants. I believe this song was chosen to keep the film focused on Lucy (Johnson), John (Evans), and Harry (Pascal), but this is a trope that many films fall into. Dating, breaking up, falling in love – none of that happens in a bubble, except in the movies.Â
The chemistry between the stars is very similar to the chemistry between the characters. One could see Lucy with either Harry or John, and the reasons she is or isn’t with each of them are because real love is complicated and deep and so often dependent on other aspects of our lives, whether it be finances, careers, families, and so much more. As probably most adults who’ve been in long-term relationships know, sometimes love isn’t enough to keep a loving partnership going. I know I’ve been there. While presenting us with one woman, Lucy, and two possible love interests, I love that Song never made either of the men out to be an asshole or undeserving. So often in romance/romantic comedies, there’s one person who is presented as the hero or heroine and another who’s a selfish jerk. I know I enjoy movies more when there’s someone to root for, and I was truly rooting for Lucy, Harry, and John here.
MATERIALISTS is playing exclusively in theatres.
