Pedro Pascal as a charming millionaire in Materialists romantic comedy delivers a new take on love triangles, but Celine Song’s latest film may be excessively clever for its own good. The movie, starring Pedro Pascal, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Evans, explores romantic choices and modern cynicism against the glossy surface of contemporary Manhattan.
High Expectations and Big Names Collide in ‘Materialists’
Following the acclaim of Celine Song’s Past Lives, her new film Materialists arrives heavy with anticipation. The script offers a familiar love triangle structure, but with the draw of headline-grabbing stars: Chris Evans plays John, a struggling actor; Dakota Johnson is Lucy M., a sharp career woman; and Pedro Pascal appears as Harry, a compelling, wealthy suitor. This trio’s casting has led to considerable internet buzz and eager speculation.
Materialists’ story draws inspiration from classic Hollywood romances, centering on Lucy, a New York matchmaker who introduces her exclusive clientele to wealthy partners. When Lucy encounters the dashing and exceedingly rich Harry, she faces a choice between material comfort and an uncertain passion—classic tropes infused with modern attitudes about love, money, and self-worth.
Earlier romantic heroines, from Jane Russell and Lauren Bacall to Meg Ryan and Julia Roberts, made their mark on such roles. Johnson’s casting evokes their legacy but brings a contemporary twist, especially given her reputation for biting wit and visible detachment from Hollywood excess.
Dakota Johnson’s Persona Undermines the Believability of Lucy M.
Lucy M. presents a version of a stylish Manhattanite that television fans might find reminiscent of Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw. Fluent in the language of status—salary, height, appearance—Lucy is portrayed as a realist whose history of struggle makes her wary of romantic risk. While a flashback reveals her earlier desperation for financial stability, the film struggles to make Johnson’s performance fully convincing, hampered by her own public image as wealthy, world-weary, and privileged.
In key scenes, Lucy’s attempts at vulnerability and anxiety about money are undercut by Johnson’s recognizability as a Hollywood insider. Her sleek demeanor and cultivated attitude clash with the narrative’s efforts to ground her in everyday struggles. Even efforts to play down her glamour—such as outfitting Lucy in simpler dresses—struggle against the backdrop of Johnson’s celebrated status.
Chris Evans Challenges Perceptions as John, the Struggling Dreamer
As John, Chris Evans steps far from his famous superhero persona to inhabit a role marked by earnest dreams and mounting difficulties. John’s world is defined by low-paying jobs, artistic aspirations, and uncertainty, embodying a classic romantic risk for Lucy. Evans’s depiction of John—exuding charm, yet weighed down by endurance—touches on the realities many face in New York City.
Yet, despite the film’s intention to cast John as the underdog, Evans’s star power interferes with the believability of gritty hardship. Audiences well aware of Evans’s status and history may struggle to suspend disbelief, as his charisma persists even beneath a more rugged, subdued appearance. The intended suspense of Lucy’s decision is further complicated by the casting choices, making John’s struggles seem less daunting than they appear on the page.
Pedro Pascal’s Harry: The Gentleman Millionaire Audiences Love
Pedro Pascal takes on the role of Harry, a hedge fund manager who embodies every one of Lucy’s material aspirations. Harry courts Lucy with lavish gestures—exclusive restaurants, a penthouse apartment—creating an archetype of the perfect, generous partner. Yet beneath the surface, Lucy questions whether her connection with Harry is rooted in genuine feeling or a rational calculation for security.
Pascal’s reputation brings extra intrigue to the role of Harry; the actor’s devoted fan base readily assigns depth and appeal to his characters, regardless of what the narrative demands. In Materialists, Harry is not a hidden antagonist; Song avoids making him the “wrong” choice through any dark revelation, instead presenting a complex, emotionally nuanced alternative to John. Given Pascal’s immense popularity, however, the narrative tension risks being lost, since some viewers may find it difficult to root against him or view Harry as an undesirable partner.
Materialists: A Modern Rom-Com That Subverts Tradition
Celine Song deviates from the conventional tone of traditional romantic comedies, forgoing breezy banter in favor of earnest, contemporary themes. Characters in Materialists are less driven by whimsical hopes for love and more by questions of loneliness and self-preservation. Lucy, John, and Harry each grapple with their own vulnerabilities and desires, set against an unvarnished portrait of New York—a city of cramped apartments, chance encounters, and the daily grind.
Financial considerations and questions about personal value dominate both dialogue and decision-making. The film opens not with the expected glossy montage of Manhattan, but with a striking prehistoric vignette, suggesting that relationships, at their core, have always involved negotiation, security, and what each person can offer.
Song’s stylistic choices reject the typical vibrant hues of the ’90s or early 2000s rom-com. The color palette, setting, and storylines strip away much of the genre’s fantasy, opting instead for subdued realism. Even supporting plots—such as disastrous dates for Lucy’s clients—echo an overarching skepticism about modern romance and the complexities of connection, especially in an age of online dating and digital personas.
The Star Power Paradox: When Chemistry Overpowers Authenticity
The promotional campaign for Materialists has capitalized on the playful chemistry among Johnson, Evans, and Pascal, with interviews and social media clips that highlight their off-screen camaraderie. However, this energy doesn’t always translate to the screen. The towering fame and established personas of the leads risk overshadowing the nuanced performances that Song orchestrates.
For some, the real-life allure of these stars may be an asset; for others, it makes immersion in the film’s grounded narrative challenging. The contrast between the intended grittiness of the story and the irresistible magnetism of its cast creates a tension the film never fully resolves.
Exploring Cynicism in the Era of Dating Apps and Digital Fatigue
Materialists speaks directly to today’s often jaded approach to love and partnership. The film’s characters navigate a world of high expectations, algorithm-driven matchmaking, and persistent skepticism about authentic connection. Song’s story acknowledges widespread disenchantment, reflecting how many people now view relationships through a lens of caution, calculation, and even exhaustion.
The presence of cynicism is woven through the film’s conversations and situations, from overt assessments of material compatibility to subtle expressions of longing and disappointment. As Lucy and others seek partnerships that satisfy both emotional and practical needs, Song probes the question of what, ultimately, gives value to a relationship.
The Lasting Impact and Future of ‘Materialists’
Materialists is currently screening in theaters, offering a bold and unconventional take on the romantic comedy genre. Song’s commitment to subverting Hollywood norms—both in narrative and style—results in a film that is polarizing and complex. While those craving breezy optimism may leave unsatisfied, audiences interested in examining contemporary romance, wealth, and identity will find much to consider.
As time passes and initial expectations fade, Materialists may be reappraised for its willingness to take risks, guided by commanding performances from Pedro Pascal, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Evans. For now, the film remains an ambitious exploration of love’s complications, underscored by its sharp focus on the tension between outward allure and inner authenticity.
