Materialists spoilers incoming.
Materialists is the much-hyped ‘thinking woman’s rom com’ from Academy Award-nominated director, Celine Song, starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans. Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is a single high‑end matchmaker in Manhattan, expertly pairing crazy rich and crazy desperate Manhattan-dwelling single clients by the cold logic of height, salary and even BMI—a world where love is optimised, not felt. She and her colleagues at the matchmaking agency speak like Wall Street traders, discussing their clients over cigarette breaks using terms such as ‘asset optimisation management’, seeking ‘non-negotiables’ and ‘dealbreakers’. The world depicted is the cold hard evidence of how capitalism and cupid have collided, in a culture exhausted by dating apps and living online.
While the gamification and commodification of love might seem exaggerated and bleak in Materialists, Song explains that this is deliberately the case. And there is no one more jaded and cynical about the pursuit of happily ever after than our protagonist Lucy. But into her clinical data-obsessed orbit saunters the ‘unicorn’, Harry (Pedro Pascal): suave, gorgeous, optimum height and wealthy beyond her wildest dreams. And unbelievably, still single. Yet at that exact same moment her ex, the penniless, aspiring actor come caiter-waiter also collides back into her life and thus unfolds a love triangle for the ages.
Song, who is originally from South Korea, is known as an expert in love triangle portrayals, after her debut, double Oscar-nominated Past Lives depicted the story of childhood friends Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), and the way their connection as children defined their lives – as well as Nora’s marriage to husband Arthur (John Magaro). And while Past Lives has been praised for its beauty and nuance, Materialists is a little more clumsy. And I found the chemistry to be lacking between the three lead characters. Nevertheless, Song has undeniably created a romantic drama that leaves you questioning the state of romance in 2025.
GLAMOUR caught up with Song last week to discuss the film’s themes, messaging and what she learned from her own experience as a matchmaker in Manhattan 10 years ago.
Why did you choose to focus on dating in Manhattan as the subject of Materialists?
I was inspired by the time that I worked as a matchmaker. I did it for about six months and I think I learned more about people and what’s in their hearts in those six months than I did in any other part of my life. So even as I was leaving that job, I think I was like, “I think I’m going to write something about it one day.”
Dating is of course a game that we all play in search of love. It would always come down to the numbers. It would be height, weight, age, income. I had just got married, and I remember thinking, “Well, I’m not sure if any of those things are going to lead to this thing, love,” which is a great ancient mystery and a total holy miracle.