Materialists

“Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is a young, ambitious New York City matchmaker who thinks she has love down to a formula. But when she meets a tall, dark, and handsome “unicorn” (Pedro Pascal) on the same night as a chance encounter with a broke old boyfriend (Chris Evans), she’s suddenly torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex.

Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Celine Song (Past Lives) unites a star-powered trio to deliver a smart, sexy, and fresh take on what true love is really worth.”

Celine Song’s Past Lives was one of the standout films of the past few years, an intimate, deeply moving exploration of fate, love, and the fragile states of human connection. With Materialists, she returns to the subject of relationships, once again demonstrating her ability to capture characters in their most vulnerable moments. While it doesn’t quite live up to the bar she set with Past Lives, the film still resonates by examining “broken” people and asking what really matters when the trappings of wealth and status fall away.

The story centers around individuals whose desires and insecurities often clash with the reality of love. Dakota Johnson plays a woman consumed by materialistic pursuits, her performance at times sharp and effective, though occasionally stale. Some of this is by design, as her character is meant to be somewhat unlikable, but the stiffness doesn’t always serve the film’s more tender beats. In contrast, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal shine. Evans brings charm and vulnerability in equal measure, while Pascal provides a warmth and gravitas that balance the film’s more abrasive edges. Together, their performances elevate the story and give the relationships real emotional stakes.

The dialogue can be uneven. There are moments where it veers into the cheesy, but Song finds ways to puncture those surfaces with depth, often revealing poignant truths about the need for connection. At its best, the film reminds us that love doesn’t care about background, income, or status, it’s about finding the one who sees you, flaws and all.

My biggest complaint is how shallow the film can be perceived to be. Some of the characters actions, their dialogue, it’s a stretch if anyone truly speaks or acts the way some of these characters do. It all tends to be highly unbelievable for the majority. Unlike Past Lives, I didn’t identify with any character whatsoever. I didn’t feel empathy for Lucy, who’s ultimate man is ‘obscenely rich’. The B-story which ultimately opens Lucy’s eyes to the relationship peddling she’s been party to feels very forced. While Materialists lacks the artistry and subtle elegance that made Past Lives such a masterpiece, it’s more straightforward in its storytelling, less interested in metaphor and more direct in its themes. While that makes it a more accessible film in some ways, it also means it doesn’t linger with the same quiet power that her debut did.

Video
Presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen, Materialists looks excellent on Blu-ray. The clean, polished cinematography captures both the sharp edges of urban life and the quieter, more reflective moments between characters. Colors are vibrant without being oversaturated, and shadow detail is well preserved in more intimate interior scenes. It’s a sharp, professional transfer that suits the film’s grounded tone.

Audio
The Dolby Atmos track is balanced and effective. Dialogue is front and center, crisp and easy to follow, which is crucial for a relationship-driven film. Surround channels are used sparingly for atmosphere: city sounds, ambient music, adding depth without distraction. The score underscores the themes nicely, subtle enough not to overshadow the performances.

Special Features
On this set you’ll see:

• Filmmaker Commentary with Writer-Director Celine Song
• “The Math of Modern Dating: Making Materialists” featurette
• Composer Deep Dive with Japanese Breakfast
• Six Collectable Postcards featuring Behind the Scenes Photography by Atsushi Nishijima

A24’s special edition case design is unique and a stand-out in all their releases. The slipcover with barcode on the side ensures an elegant look, especially when placed beside all their other releases. Not all their releases get this treatment, so for me, an avid collector of physical media, it’s always nice to see care and uniformity when it comes to case design.

Materialists may not be as artful or profound as Past Lives, but it’s still a thoughtful exploration of imperfect people searching for love in a world that tells them to prioritize status over connection. Dakota Johnson has her moments, though her character’s materialistic edge can come across as grating, while Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal deliver standout performances that ground the film.

Celine Song continues to prove she has an eye for relationships in fragile states, and while this film doesn’t soar quite as high as her last, it still leaves viewers reflecting on what’s truly important: not what we own, but who we love.