Materialists, written and directed by Celine Song, opens with an unsettling sound design reminiscent of a horror film, immediately challenging audience expectations. The first visuals show cavepeople in a prehistoric wilderness, an abstract callback to the iconic 2001: A Space Odyssey, before the story abruptly shifts to present-day Manhattan. Here, Dakota Johnson plays Lucy, a professional matchmaker navigating the complexities of love amid a love triangle with wealthy client Harry, played by Pedro Pascal, and financially struggling ex-partner John, portrayed by Chris Evans. This gripping introduction signals that Materialists is not a typical romantic comedy but rather a pointed exploration of how capitalism influences modern relationships.
Money’s Role in Modern Romance and Harsh Realities of Matchmaking
At its core, Materialists is a somber drama capturing the challenges of love under the influence of economic pressures. Lucy’s matchmaking operates within a world obsessed with wealth and status: one client owns a $12 million apartment while the other barely manages rent with two roommates. Unlike conventional romcoms with lighthearted subplots, this film tackles serious issues such as sexual assault and trauma, which loom over the characters’ lives like an unspoken horror. Song deliberately avoids escapism, instead presenting a raw and direct portrayal of the difficulties people face when seeking connection today. The film’s lavish 35mm cinematography and a soundtrack featuring artists like Japanese Breakfast embellish this rich yet grim narrative.
Celine Song’s Intent to Challenge Audience Expectations
During an interview in a London hotel, Song explained that the disorienting opening was a conscious choice to unsettle viewers. She stated,
“I wanted you to feel like, ‘Am I in the wrong theatre?’”
—Celine Song, Director. While maintaining the essence of a modern romantic comedy through moments of humor and emotional resonance, she emphasized that the film refuses to offer the traditional comfort of escapism. Instead, it initiates a candid debate on the complexities of contemporary love.
Realism Rooted in Financial Transparency and Social Pressures
Materialists stands out for its frank discussions about money, a theme rarely this explicit in romance films. Characters openly disclose their salaries, rent obligations, and savings, spotlighting economic inequality’s impact on relationships. Lucy earns $80,000 a year, Harry far more, while John’s savings are limited to $2,000. Heightism also emerges as a notable topic: Lucy’s coworker Daisy, played by Dasha Nekrasova, reveals that some men resort to leg-breaking surgeries to appear taller, influenced by dating preferences driven by capitalist values. Song clarified that Nekrasova’s casting was unrelated to her Red Scare podcast, emphasizing the focus on authentic character portrayal.
Exploring the Limits of Love and Non-Negotiables
In conversation about love’s demands, Song pointedly remarks,
“The only thing you’re entitled to from somebody who will love you, is that they love you. That’s the only non-negotiable.”
—Celine Song, Director. She illustrates the superficiality of conditions often attached to love, such as height or income, noting that preferences change over time.
“Let’s say you want someone who’s 6ft tall… When it comes to money – what if you lose your job? What if you retire? What if you change to a job with less money because that’s what your dream is? Are you going to be like, ‘If you leave the job that pays a lot of money, I don’t love you anymore’? That’s not love. What you love is the salary. You don’t love the person.”
This perspective sharply critiques how capitalism’s material demands erode authentic emotional connections.
The Impact of Capitalism on Gendered Dating Expectations
Song draws attention to the way capitalism affects both men and women in the dating world. She references a TikTok meme about searching for a
“man in finance, trust fund, 6’5,”
blue eyes,” highlighting how unrealistic and materialistic expectations burden men as well as women.
“The romcom genre is marketed to women, but this deeply capitalistic way of dating that we all have to participate in – it crushes men as well. That’s why Harry has the surgery, and John is crushed by economic reality. The world of romance is seen as something that’s for women, but men have to be on the market as well.”
Men’s struggles with economic and physical standards emphasize how capitalism distorts the entire landscape of love, impacting all genders.
Personal Experiences Informing the Story
Song’s personal history informs the emotional depth of Materialists. Like Nora, the protagonist of her debut film Past Lives, Song grew up in South Korea and later moved to New York after a formative relationship at a writing retreat. She has been married since 2016 to screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes, known for Challengers and Queer. During her early career, Song spent six months working as a matchmaker in Manhattan, an experience that directly influenced the film’s themes.
“I learned about my materialist impulses when I worked as a matchmaker,”
she reflected.
“A matchmaker is like a stockbroker, but instead of stock, it’s a human being.”
This analogy captures the commodification of human relationships at the heart of the film.
Intersecting Art and Life in Materialists
Song admits that her films blend personal insight with fictional elements, suggesting her work reflects her own experiences and observations. She humorously entertained the idea that Materialists might be a metaphor for filmmaking itself since Lucy, the matchmaker, resembles a director selecting actors based on commercial viability. When asked, Song responded,
“Casting actors was a bit of matchmaking.”
She acknowledges that while she doesn’t claim special knowledge about love, her personal involvement colors the story.
“No! I don’t think anybody can know more about love than any other person,”
she explained.
“I think if you’re in love, you suddenly become an expert in love. Maybe because of the love that’s in my life, I know a lot about it.”
Song encourages an open dialogue with audiences rather than positioning herself as an authority.
The Film’s Provocative Conversations and Audience Response
Since its U.S. release, Materialists has sparked intense debate among viewers and critics alike, igniting discussions about online dating’s gamification, capitalism’s corrosive effects on love, and Dakota Johnson’s understated performance. The film’s ability to provoke such widespread reaction is no accident. Song notes,
“It’s about the way capitalism has entered our hearts. When people feel upset about the film, sometimes they say to me, ‘Are you telling me that I need to settle, to not be single anymore?’ And I’m always like, ‘The only thing you’re entitled to from somebody who will love you, is that they love you.’ That’s the only non-negotiable. I’ve been asked, ‘Celine, what’s your non-negotiable?’ I’m like, ‘My non-negotiable is that that person who will love me, will love me. That’s it.’ Love is something that you cannot negotiate with. If there’s no love, you should leave.”
The film’s success lies in forcing viewers to reckon with these difficult truths about love and material expectations.
Ongoing Dialogue Among Viewers Enhances the Film’s Impact
The passionate conversations surrounding Materialists extend beyond individual opinions and encourage communal engagement. Song takes satisfaction in this dynamic, sharing,
“That makes me nothing but happy. With Past Lives, people told me all the time what they thought, and what this other person thought. They were arguing about that movie, too. It’s sparking a conversation because of how living and breathing we all are, and how living and breathing the film is.”
The film’s ability to generate meaningful discussions is a testament to its vivid portrayal of contemporary romance entwined with capitalism’s pervasive influence.
Materialists’ Release and Continued Relevance
Materialists is scheduled to appear in UK cinemas on August 15, inviting a wider audience to explore its challenging themes. By addressing the intersection of money, social expectations, and love with unflinching honesty, Celine Song’s film stands out as a significant work that questions the very foundations of modern relationships. It not only entertains but also compels viewers to rethink what it means to love in a world increasingly dominated by capitalist values.
