Materialists

Lucy runs a boutique matchmaking service in New York, pairing clients with meticulous attention to taste and timing, but her carefully arranged world starts to wobble when an ideal new match appears to offer everything she values. As she helps others build relationships, old feelings for her complicated ex resurface, forcing her to compare a tidy, picture-perfect possibility with messy, familiar love. The story follows her professional confidence and personal uncertainty, showing how choices about partnership can be tangled by history, ego, and what people really want, while keeping the outcome under wraps.

Directed by Celine Song and released in 2025, Materialists stars Dakota Johnson as Lucy, with Chris Evans as John, Pedro Pascal as Harry, Zoë Winters as Sophie, and Marin Ireland as Violet.

The film had a relatively modest theatrical presence, with no widely reported blockbuster grosses and a release profile that emphasized urban audiences and specialty venues rather than mass-market domination.

Critical and audience response was mixed to positive, averaging about 6.46 out of 10 from 956 votes. Reviewers often pointed to strong performances from the leads and an intelligent script, while some noted uneven pacing and tonal shifts. Key themes include modern romance, the role of authenticity in connection, and how social expectations shape choices about love.

On release the movie sparked conversation around contemporary matchmaking and the idea of arranging love for a fee, with social media picking up on the chemistry between Johnson and Evans. Scenes of Lucy at work, pairing clients and debating compatibility, became frequent talking points, and the film has prompted a number of think pieces about whether modern relationships are shaped more by desire or design.