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Materialists (film)

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Materialists
Theatrical release poster
Directed byCeline Song
Written byCeline Song
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyShabier Kirchner
Edited byKeith Fraase
Music byDaniel Pemberton
Production
companies
Distributed byA24
(United States)
Sony Pictures Releasing International
Stage 6 Films[1]
(International)
Release date
  • June 13, 2025 (2025-06-13)
Running time
117 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$20 million[3]
Box office$15.5 million[4]

Materialists is a 2025 American romance film written and directed by Celine Song. The film stars Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, Zoë Winters, Marin Ireland, Louisa Jacobson, and Pedro Pascal. Set against the backdrop of New York City's luxury-driven dating culture, it follows a love triangle between a matchmaker, her aspiring actor ex-boyfriend, and a charming billionaire.

The project marks Song's second feature following Past Lives (2023), and continues her exploration of intimacy, identity, and modern relationships. Produced by Killer Films and 2AM, the film was released in the United States by A24 on June 13, 2025 and distributed internationally by Sony Pictures Releasing International. It received positive reviews from critics.

Plot

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Lucy, a failed actor turned successful matchmaker, works at Adore, a New York City-based firm and has made pairings that have resulted in nine marriages. Though voluntarily celibate, she maintains that she will only date and eventually marry a wealthy man. At the wedding of her latest successful match, she is approached by financier Harry Castillo, the groom's brother, who expresses romantic interest. Lucy rebuffs him, suggesting instead that he become a client of Adore. At the same event, she unexpectedly reunites with her ex-boyfriend John, who is working as a caterer and continues to pursue acting. They reminisce about their past relationship, which ended due to financial strain.

Harry persists in courting Lucy, taking her to upscale restaurants. She initially questions his interest, believing he can do better, but he reassures her that he respects her outlook and values her self-worth. Their relationship soon becomes official, and Lucy's renewed optimism translates into professional success, leading her to match Sophie, a long-time client, with another client named Mark. She and Harry attend John's stage performance, where John is visibly dismayed to see them together and privately questions Lucy on the relationship.

Lucy's confidence is shaken when her boss Violet informs her that Mark date-raped Sophie and Sophie is suing Adore. Though Violet promises to handle the legal consequences and tells Lucy to avoid talking to her, Lucy follows and personally apologizes to Sophie, who accuses her of facilitating the match without due diligence and ends their friendship. The incident, however, shakes Lucy and leads to her disillusionment with her job and the many clients turning up with a checklist of superficial things their matches should have.

Temporarily subletting her apartment for a planned trip to Iceland with Harry, Lucy discovers an engagement ring in his luggage. However, she realizes she does not truly love him and amicably ends the relationship. With nowhere to stay, she moves in with John, and the two travel upstate with money he earned from his play. At a wedding they gatecrash together, Lucy kisses John. When John questions whether they are getting back together, Lucy expresses uncertainty, citing her conflicted values. John confesses he has always loved her and envisions a future together, while Lucy admits that her pursuit of wealth once overshadowed their love.

Lucy then receives a panicked call from Sophie, who reports that Mark is outside her apartment and that the police refuse to intervene. Lucy and John rush to her aid, finding that Mark has already fled. Lucy helps Sophie file a restraining order and the two reconcile. Before parting, John makes a heartfelt appeal to Lucy to rekindle their relationship, also promising to work harder to support her. Lucy agrees.

Sometime later, Sophie has begun dating a new match from Adore; Harry has also become a client. Violet offers Lucy a promotion to lead Adore's New York office. Lucy reveals that she intended to resign but reluctantly considers the offer. During a casual lunch in Central Park, John proposes, and Lucy accepts with a kiss. The credits depict various couples, including Lucy and John, receiving marriage licenses at the city clerk's office.

Cast

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Production

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Materialists was written and directed by Celine Song, marking her second feature following Past Lives (2023). The project was announced in February 2024, with Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler of Killer Films, and David Hinojosa of 2AM, serving as producers. At the time of the announcement, Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal were confirmed to star. A24 was attached as the film's domestic distributor and international sales agent, bringing the project to the European Film Market to secure financing. The film was co-financed by IPR.VC.[5][6]

Later that month, Sony Pictures acquired international distribution rights (excluding Russia, China, and Japan) in an eight-figure deal.[7]

In May 2024, Zoë Winters, Dasha Nekrasova, Louisa Jacobson, and Marin Ireland were announced as additional cast members.[8]

Principal photography began on April 29, 2024, in New York City and wrapped on June 6, 2024.[9][10][11] The film was shot on 35mm by Antiguan cinematographer Shabier Kirchner, marking his second collaboration with Song following Past Lives (2023).[12]

Release

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Materialists was released theatrically in the United States by A24 on June 13, 2025. Sony Pictures Releasing International is scheduled to distribute the film internationally on August 16, 2025.[13][14][15]

Reception

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Box office

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As of June 15, 2025, Materialists has grossed $12 million in the United States and Canada, and $3.5 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $15.5 million.[4]

In the United States and Canada, the film was released alongside How to Train Your Dragon and was projected to gross $7–9 million from 2,844 theaters in its opening weekend.[3][16] The film made $5 million on its first day, including $1.5 million from Thursday night previews. It went on to slightly overperform, debuting to $12 million and finishing in third behind How to Train Your Dragon and holdover Lilo & Stitch.[17]

Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 85% of 165 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "A mature deconstruction of the conventional rom-com, Materialists provides its trio of swoon-worthy stars some of their meatiest material yet while reaffirming Celine Song as a modern master of relationship dramas."[18] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 70 out of 100, based on 39 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[19] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B–" on an A+ to F scale, while those surveyed by PostTrak gave it a 69% positive score.[17]

Christy Lemire of RogerEbert.com described the film as "clear-eyed, even as it makes the happily-ever-after seem possible after all," praising its performances and character depth.[20] In Variety, Owen Gleiberman wrote that the film offers "sharp and serious social romantic drama" and commended its "telling observations about the way we live now."[21]

Entertainment Weekly's Maureen Lee Lenker called the film a "sly, yet charming romance," likening Celine Song's work to Jane Austen's in terms of its cultural wit and romantic nuance.[22] Manohla Dargis of The New York Times complimented Song's continued interest in time, emotion, and identity, calling the film "formally inventive, emotionally curious, and thoroughly adult."[23]

Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair wrote that the film's strength lies in its "topical boldness", with New York City rendered as both a real and romanticized cityscape.[24]

Common Sense Media praised its thoughtful storytelling and suitability for mature teens and adults, highlighting its emotional realism and mature relationship themes.[25] People referred to the film as "elusive but not inscrutable," adding that it is "delicately playful, rarely sentimental."[26]

Justin Chang of The New Yorker appreciated the vividness of the dialogue but noted that the film's second half loses momentum due to an emotionally underdeveloped subplot.[27] The A.V. Club offered a split verdict, with one critic praising its clever blend of old-school and modern romance, while another felt it lacked intimacy compared to Song's earlier film Past Lives (2023).[28]

NPR's Aisha Harris observed that while Materialists has "moments of insight," it is occasionally "undone by its own ambition," particularly in juggling commentary and romance.[29] Screen Rant noted that the film's pace may feel meandering to some viewers and that its social critiques occasionally overshadow emotional investment.[30]

References

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  1. ^ "MATERIALISTS | Stage6". Stage 6 Films. Sony Pictures Digital Productions. Archived from the original on April 19, 2025. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  2. ^ "MATERIALISTS". British Columbia Film Classification Office. May 21, 2025. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  3. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony; Tartaglione, Nancy (June 10, 2025). "'How To Train Your Dragon' Won't Be Laggin' At The Summer Box Office With $175M-$185M Global Start For Live Action Redo – Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Materialists – Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
  5. ^ Wiseman, Justin Kroll, Andreas (February 7, 2024). "Celine Song's Next Project The Materialists Heads to EFM with A24, Dakota Johnson in Talks & More A-List Cast Circling". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 7, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Dalton, Ben (November 6, 2024). "How European fund IPR.VC is harnessing investment knowledge for the film sector". Screen International. Archived from the original on November 6, 2024. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  7. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (February 18, 2024). "Celine Song's Past Lives Follow-Up Materialists Sells to Sony for International in Another Big EFM Deal; Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal & Chris Evans In Talks To Star". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 3, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  8. ^ Stephen, Katcy (May 7, 2024). "Celine Song's Materialists Adds Zoë Winters, Dasha Nekrasova, Louisa Jacobson and Marin Ireland (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  9. ^ "Celine Song's Materialists Has Begun Filming in NYC". Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Ritman, Alex (February 7, 2024). "Past Lives Director Celine Song's Rom-Com Materialists Set at A24 with Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans in Talks to Star". Variety. Archived from the original on February 14, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  11. ^ DeVore, Britta (June 6, 2024). "Pedro Pascal and Dakota Johnson's Rom-Com Just Got One Step Closer to Our Screens". Collider. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  12. ^ Desowitz, Bill (March 12, 2025). "20 Movies Shot on Film in 2025: Separate Safdie Brothers, Paul Thomas Anderson, and More". IndieWire. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  13. ^ Keslassy, Elsa (February 18, 2024). "Sony Pictures Buys International Rights to Celine Song's Materialists at the EFM". Variety. Archived from the original on March 18, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  14. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 4, 2025). "A24 Sets Summer Release For Celine Song's Matchmaker Movie 'Materialists'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 8, 2025. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  15. ^ Taysom, Joe (May 22, 2025). "'Materialists' reveal new trailer and international release date". Far Out. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  16. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (June 11, 2025). "Box Office: 'How to Train Your Dragon' to Fly to $75 Million in Opening Weekend". Variety. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  17. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony; Tartaglione, Nancy (June 14, 2025). "'How To Train Your Dragon' Still On Course For Franchise Best $82M+ Opening After 'A' CinemaScore; 'Materialists' Reps A24's Third Biggest Opening – Saturday Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  18. ^ "Materialists". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  19. ^ "Materialists". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  20. ^ Lemire, Christy. "Materialists movie review & film summary (2025) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  21. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (June 9, 2025). "'Materialists' Review: Celine Song's Follow-Up to 'Past Lives' Is a Rom-Com Played Straight, With Dakota Johnson as a Matchmaker Tangled Up in Love and Money". Variety. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  22. ^ "'Materialists' review: Dakota Johnson woos in sly, yet charming romance". EW.com. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  23. ^ Dargis, Manohla (June 12, 2025). "'Materialists' Review: When Dakota Johnson Met Pedro Pascal (and Chris Evans)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  24. ^ Lawson, Richard (June 9, 2025). "'Materialists' Is Not a Romcom, and That's Okay". Vanity Fair. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  25. ^ Movie & TV reviews for parents. "Materialists Movie Review | Common Sense Media". www.commonsensemedia.org. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  26. ^ "Materialists Review: Dakota Johnson May Finally Have Found Her Perfect Movie". People.com. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  27. ^ Chang, Justin (June 9, 2025). ""Materialists" Is a Thoughtful Romantic Drama That Doesn't Quite Add Up". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  28. ^ "Materialists doesn't cash in on its promise to revive the rom-com". AV Club. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  29. ^ Harris, Aisha (June 13, 2025). "The math in Celine Song's 'Materialists' doesn't add up". NPR. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  30. ^ Freeman, Molly (June 9, 2025). "Materialists Review: Celine Song's Past Lives Follow-Up Completely Wowed Me With Its Unique Perspective On Beloved Romance Tropes". ScreenRant. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
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