The Wasteland Reviewer

Materialists (2025) Written Review

What does writer/director Celine Song have prepared for audiences as a follow-up to be poignant and beloved Past Lives? Song got plenty of attention (including awards consideration) after Past Lives dropped two summers ago. Her ability to tell a compelling story with plenty of emotion and thematic depth, we knew there was some more greatness there. Past Lives offered up a compelling and complex love triangle that explored its story and themes with compassion and depth. There is a similar core to Song’s latest directorial effort with Materialists. This time around, Song brought together a massive trio of stars with Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal to bring her new romance about modern dating to life. 

What do Song and company bring to the table with Materialists? This is a mature and dynamic film that (mostly avoids) the pitfalls of romance tropes. There is a humanity to the story that makes this cinematic experience feel so real and authentic. There is nothing melodramatic or over-the-top in tone. Each of these three wayward characters at the center of the narrative go through plenty of changes and reflections which all feel so poignant and emotive in the hands of Song. There is tenderness and earnestness in the presentation (even when some of the characters are not necessarily acting in that way. There are some good bits of humor (including a parade of horribly tactless perspectives of dating match clients that Johnson must endure), emotion, and even joy along the way. All these emotions and reactions feel natural with Song’s perfect tone. But the rest of the crew do their best in crafting this sleek, classy, and engrossing film. Every frame feels so intentional with the vision of Song brought to life by Shabier Kirchner, the cinematographer. One of the most unsung composers, Daniel Pemberton delivers a dynamic, rich, and emotive score that effortlessly accentuates each perfectly block and rendered frame. Then you have all the production design, costume, hairstyling, and make-up. You might not expect that a romantic drama like that would need such detail but since materialism and economics are such a key piece to this film, those elements really come into play. You need to feel the worlds apart between Evan’s John and Pascal’s Harry’s lives. Song and company can make this divide feel so impactful through their apartments (which honestly feel like characters in their own right). 

How about Song’s script? Yet again, Song can deliver a layered, complex, and mature story that navigates the complications of relationships. This might seem like your standard love triangle but there are layers that enrich this cinematic experience that few films capture quite like Materialists. Each of these three characters go on their own journeys but at the core, this is Johnson’s Lucy story at the core. Lucy is a professional matchmaker which matches her specific perspective on love and relationships, checking boxes and looking at math. This analytical and calculating process of matching highlights the cold and distant perspective that Lucy has of the world. This is a key thing to understand going into this story…Lucy is a cold, materialistic, judgmental, and selfish person. But her journey is what makes this film so compelling. There are some incredibly dark elements that are shown in Lucy’s line of work that shake her foundations and make her begin to question this profession and her perspective on the world.  There are a few emotional beats that arise from this storyline that will shake you and put you in the same uncomfortable state of mind that Lucy is in. The refocus on humanity in modern dating (a landscape full of algorithms, math, and logic) is one of the richest and most compelling elements that Song explores. 

But how does Lucy’s journey coincide with the journeys of John and Harry? John (Evans) is her ex-partner who is a poor man still chasing his dream of being a working actor while finding work as a waiter. Song’s script finds the space to take the audience back to their initial relationship and see the discomfort of public arguments and clashes with a common thread…money. John is a lover and emotional man who wears all his emotions on his sleeve. But John’s biggest flaw is his economic standing in life. Lucy, being the materialistic and judgmental person that she is, shuns him and breaks off their relationship despite the presence of so many strong connections between them (shared dreams of being actors as well as organic and raw connections). Harry (Pascal) is the antithesis of everything that John is and stands for. That is what makes Harry so compelling to Lucy. We see her vulnerability because in her mind (this analytical and data driven mind), Harry is miles out of her league. But there is something compelling to Harry regarding Lucy…her perspective on their world. They see it the same way. This arrangement makes sense for them. But this is an arrangement. A deal. A negotiation. Not a relationship. Lucy’s journey is one of growth or reinforcement. Does she live a life lacking love or real connection but full of comfort? Or does she live a life with worries and struggles but is that full of love and connection? Song’s writing treats this whole journey with maturity, depth, and authenticity. That is what makes this feel so compelling and dynamic.

 How does this cast bring Song’s story to life on screen? First off, Johnson is in such a role in her career right now. Daddio. Am I Ok? She is doing the best work of her career and is finding new dimensions to what she can do as an actor. Materialists give her plenty of space and material to explore the depth of her abilities. An agreeable façade in the face of problematic clients. A biting and aggressive tearing down of others at a different point in the film. A charming and alluring socialite. An emotionally broken woman whose perspective is shaken. Passion. Coldness. Love. Contempt. Johnson delivers all this so authentically. Lucy is a complex woman on quite the journey and Johnson understands and portrays her in all her multitudes. Evans is perfect in his portrayal of John as he is the type of actor that can deliver frustration, rage, and passion so believably, even when he is not openly showing those feelings. John cannot hide his feelings and lets them pour out at any given moment and Evans owns that frequency. Evans is still authentic and believable in the more complex moments when John’s vulnerability and growth shine through in his assessment of Lucy’s treatment of him, making for one of the film’s best moments. Pascal is excellent as well with his effortless and smooth cool but this time it lacks the effortless charm of Pascal’s real-life persona. Pascal is not just being himself on screen. There is a coldness and distance to Harry and Pascal finds that frequency well. But his talents shine through most in a pivotal moment of vulnerability with Lucy. This is another highlight of the film that breaks through that wall surrounding Harry. Pascal shines in that moment (even if it is still subtler and more restrained than most of his previous performances). There are a few small performances that stand out in the film like the clients who Lucy is working with. But a special shoutout needs to be provided for Zoe Winters, Lucy’s client Sophie, who unexpectedly becomes such a significant connection in Lucy’s life. Winters gets a few moments to really shine and delivers some of the most emotionally resonant moments in the film. 

Does Song deliver yet another compelling, thoughtful, and engaging cinematic experience with her second effort, Materialists? She certainly does. The world of dating is such a complicated, strange, and sometimes dangerous place. Song delivers such a thoughtful and compelling exploration of this landscape filled with rich characters and a story that has plenty of layers and complexities to it. This dynamic trio of performers can reach Song’s frequency with passion, skill, and authenticity to truly bring these characters to life. Each goes on a journey with humanity and connection deeply rooted in the fabric of their characters. This is no silly romantic comedy. The end might feel a bit safe compared to so many of the other more daring choices that Song makes but this journey is so worth it. Humor. Tears. Love. Artfulness. That is Materialists.