More Than Market Value: 'Materialists' And The Math Of Modern Love
In a world where dating feels like an algorithm, Celine Song’s stylish second feature asks: what happens when we start to believe our value is quantifiable?
When the film Materialists first began its promotional circuit, it was advertised as the must-watch romantic comedy of the summer. I was expecting something in the same spirit as Legally Blonde, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, or Clueless. Films where charm, wardrobe, and witty one-liners culminate in a feel-good romance. However, this film turns out to be more in line with the humor of White Lotus than Sweet Home Alabama, and more Breakfast at Tiffany’s than Bridget Jones’s Diary. It’s sharp. It’s stylish. And it’s far more biting than expected. Directed and written by Celine Song (best known for her Oscar‑nominated Past Lives), the film stars Dakota Johnson as Lucy, Chris Evans as her ex‑boyfriend John, and Pedro Pascal as Harry Castillo.