Materialists is a 2025 romantic drama/rom-com directed by Celine Song that surveys love, wealth, and modern dating through a sharp, socially observant lens. It stars Dakota Johnson and features a context where romance is filtered through market-style criteria, wealth signals, and the pressures of a gilded- age dating scene. What critics and outlets are saying
- Overall tone and thesis: Reviews consistently describe Materialists as more of a social romantic drama than a lighthearted comedy. The film is praised for its 21st-century realism, bracing honesty, and its willingness to explore the emotional costs of pursuit of status and financial security in dating. Expect a tonal shift from typical rom-com vibes to something more serious and reflective.
- Performance and style: The ensemble cast is noted for delivering grounded, natural performances that keep the premise credible and engaging, with Dakota Johnson singled out for anchoring the film’s emotional core. The production design and NYC backdrop contribute to a sense of immediacy and exclusivity that the story uses to critique contemporary courtship.
- Plot and themes: Central ideas include the commodification of romance, the pressure to curate an ideal partner, the role of wealth and appearance in attracting mates, and how personal values contend with market logic. Critics highlight scenes examining “unicorn” idealization, societal expectations, and the moral ambiguity of matchmaking in a data-driven era.
- Audience reception: Early responses point to a movie that’s more thoughtful and multifaceted than typical genre fare, with some viewers appreciating its mature handling of relationships and others noting that its slower pace and darker undertones may diverge from traditional rom-com expectations. Metacritic and user discussions generally reflect a positive but nuanced reception.
Why it stands out
- Timeliness: The film arrives amid ongoing conversations about dating, economics, and personal value in a world of premium services, social media-curated images, and income-driven dating dynamics. It uses its premise to spark dialogue about what people prioritize in partners and how those priorities shape relationships.
- Tone balance: While some viewers may crave more of a conventional rom-com payoff, critics emphasize the film’s willingness to mix sharp social critique with intimate character moments, yielding a thoughtful, occasionally sobering experience that still preserves human warmth.
If you’re deciding whether to watch
- If you want a contemporary, conversation-starting romance that doubles as social commentary on wealth, choices, and compatibility, Materialists offers a dense, emotionally honest experience with strong performances and a stylish New York setting.
- If you prefer bright, fast-paced comedy with a neat, uplifting arc, you might find the film’s more serious tone and reflective pacing less satisfying.
Key takeaways
- Materialists uses a modern dating market metaphor to examine love’s value, the pursuit of status, and the costs of choosing partners through wealth and appearance as currency.
- The film is widely recognized for its acute social observations, strong acting, and an atmosphere that blends realism with stylish production, making it a standout in its genre for 2025.
If you’d like, I can pull specific critic quotes or provide a spoiler-aware reading guide focused on themes, character arcs, and how the film engages with modern dating culture.
