Materialists (2025) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
With Materialists, director Celine Song returns to the screen following her acclaimed debut Past Lives (2023). Known for her emotionally nuanced writing and piercing insight into modern relationships, Song once again delves into the complexities of love, ambition, and emotional trade-offs—but this time, through a sharper, more satirical lens.
Set in the romanticized, high-stakes world of New York’s elite matchmaking scene, Materialists feels both timely and timeless. It’s a love triangle with high financial and emotional stakes: Should one marry for love, or for security?
Plot Summary: Between a Heart and a Hard Place
Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is a fashionable and successful matchmaker in Manhattan, helping the city’s wealthiest singles find love—with spreadsheets and interviews to match. She’s the kind of character who claims she’s only interested in marrying for money, but that conviction is tested when she crosses paths with Harry (Pedro Pascal), a charming billionaire, and John (Chris Evans), her broke, emotionally rich ex-boyfriend.
Caught between a life of calculated luxury and messy emotional vulnerability, Lucy must confront what she actually values in a relationship. The film’s exploration of class, connection, and chemistry forms the core of its narrative and emotional weight.
A Tonal Tightrope: Satire Meets Sentiment
Materialists walks a delicate tightrope between satire and sincerity. While it wears the mask of a rom-com, it rarely indulges in pure comedy. Song has a gift for dialogue that dances between humor and heartbreak—think Nora Ephron meets Succession, with a touch of Austen.
Some viewers expected another meditative emotional rollercoaster like Past Lives, and that expectation might color their response. This film is more playful in format but no less thoughtful. The screenplay doesn’t just wink at the audience—it stares straight into the soul of modern romance.
Performance Breakdown: Chris Evans Shines, Dakota Johnson Divides
Chris Evans delivers what may be his most compelling performance yet. He’s no longer the all-American golden boy—he’s vulnerable, grounded, and quietly heartbreaking. His chemistry with Johnson is palpable, and his portrayal of a man doubting his self-worth while still choosing vulnerability is quietly powerful.
Pedro Pascal has limited screen time but makes the most of every second. His portrayal of Harry is nuanced—confident but subtly insecure, magnetic yet reserved. A plot twist connected to his character either lands beautifully or not at all, depending on the viewer’s emotional investment.
Dakota Johnson’s performance is more divisive. Some viewers find her aloof and emotionally flat, while others interpret her restraint as intentional—Lucy is, after all, a woman whose whole career is about pretending to be more put together than she is.
Themes & Symbolism: Love as a Transaction
Materialism is not just in the title—it’s in every choice Lucy and those around her make. The film asks us to reflect: Is love more valid when it comes with financial security? Is passion enough without stability?
The matchmaking business scenes are especially sharp, highlighting the absurdity of modern dating preferences. One client wants someone with “six-figure income and emotional availability,” another demands “minimal trauma.” These laugh-out-loud moments cut deep.
The film also meditates on how we often commodify people, reducing them to stats, status, or stories that serve our own narratives. This is where Materialists really earns its name.
Cinematic Craft: Visuals, Sound, and Editing
Visually, Materialists is stunning. Cinematographer Shabier Kirchner paints New York City not as a glittering fantasy but as a living, breathing organism. The city feels like a fourth main character—vibrant, complex, and always moving.
Daniel Pemberton’s score is another highlight—light and whimsical during the rom-com beats, but textured and melancholic in its emotional climaxes. Editing choices, especially during the film’s final act and closing montage, are elegantly handled, if a bit drawn out.
Weak Spots: Pacing and Predictability
One recurring criticism is the film’s uneven pacing. The second half is more emotionally charged and cohesive, while the first half feels like it’s still deciding what kind of movie it wants to be.
There’s also a noticeable shift when Pedro Pascal’s character disappears from the narrative for a long stretch, which feels like a missed opportunity. The film’s ending is effective, but you may wish it trimmed a few scenes to get there.
Where to Watch Materialists (2025) Online
📌 As of June 2025, Materialists is not yet available on any streaming platforms.
However, based on A24’s previous release patterns, here are our predictions:
Streaming Services to Watch For
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Max (HBO) – A24 has a long-standing deal with Max, making this the most likely destination.
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Showtime / Paramount+ – Some A24 films have recently landed here.
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Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV+ – Both have licensed A24 films in the past.
Keep checking JustWatch for updated availability.
Rental & Purchase (Future)
Once available, expect rental/purchase on:
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Apple TV / iTunes
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Amazon Prime Video
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Google TV / YouTube
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Vudu
For more information, follow the official A24 page.
Final Verdict: Is Materialists Worth Watching?
Materialists isn’t perfect, but it’s deeply human. It doesn’t shy away from emotional messiness or uncomfortable questions. It pokes at the soft underbelly of ambition and idealism in love—and asks whether we ever really know what we want.
If you’re expecting a glittery, carefree rom-com, you may leave disappointed. But if you’re open to a romantic dramedy that reflects the awkward truths of love in a capitalist world, Materialists is worth your time.
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