💎Materialists (2025): Box Office, Reviews, Cast, Plot & Why This Stylish Drama on Love and Wealth Is a Must-Watch

Materialists (2025) – A Sharp, Stylish Look at Love, Wealth, and Self-Worth

When love meets luxury, does the heart really win?

Celine Song returns with Materialists, her highly anticipated sophomore feature after the critically acclaimed Past Lives (2023). With a brilliant ensemble cast led by Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, the film offers a biting yet empathetic romantic comedy that slices through New York’s elite dating culture, asking: Are we seeking love or status?

💸 Box Office Performance: A Smart Hit with Staying Power

Released on June 13, 2025, by A24, Materialists opened in the U.S. amid stiff competition from How to Train Your Dragon and the Lilo & Stitch re-release. Despite this, the film debuted strongly, pulling in $12 million during its opening weekend, well above its projected $7–9 million.

As of July 6, 2025, the film has grossed:

• $33 million in the U.S. and Canada

• $12 million internationally

• Total worldwide gross: $45.6 million

• Production budget: $20 million

That’s more than double its budget—a modest yet clear commercial success for an adult-skewing original dramedy. Given the growing word-of-mouth, the film is expected to remain a popular streaming hit after its theatrical run.

🎬 The Plot: When Romance Meets Realism

Lucy Mason (Dakota Johnson) is a matchmaker at a boutique agency in Manhattan, responsible for nine marriages—but not her own. She’s smart, self-aware, and a self-proclaimed eternal bachelorette, unless, of course, the right millionaire comes along.

When Lucy rekindles a connection with her struggling actor ex (Chris Evans as John) and simultaneously starts dating a charming financier (Pedro Pascal as Harry), the story evolves into a love triangle driven less by lust and more by lifestyle. But behind the glossy surface, deeper conflicts unfold: workplace scandals, unresolved trauma, and a constant tug-of-war between the desire for emotional connection and financial security.

The film cleverly subverts rom-com clichés, grounding its glamour with real emotional consequences. And its final act—unexpected, tender, and perfectly earned—shows that love, while messy, can still be honest.

🌟 Cast & Performances

• Dakota Johnson delivers one of her most compelling performances to date, balancing Lucy’s cynicism and romantic vulnerability with wit and sharpness.

• Chris Evans as John is a revelation—a far cry from his superhero roles, portraying a sensitive, slightly washed-up artist with endearing sincerity.

• Pedro Pascal brings suave warmth to Harry, a man who hides his insecurities beneath designer suits and self-improvement surgeries.

• Zoë Winters as Sophie adds depth as a woman navigating dating trauma and vulnerability in a world that commodifies connection.

• Marin Ireland, Louisa Jacobson, and Sawyer Spielberg round out a strong supporting cast that helps build a fully realized world of modern romance and quiet desperation.

📝 Critical Reception: A New Age Rom-Com That Resonates

Materialists currently holds a Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with most critics praising Song’s ability to blend genre tropes with emotional authenticity.

"Celine Song turns the rom-com on its head—elegant, biting, and emotionally resonant." — The New Yorker

"Dakota Johnson is magnetic in a film that’s not afraid to ask: What do we really want in a partner—love, or leverage?" — IndieWire

While a few critics noted the film’s slightly slow midsection, most agree that its intelligent writing, subtle performances, and timely commentary make it a standout in a genre that’s often underserved in today’s cinematic landscape.

🎯 Verdict: Must-Watch for the Emotionally Honest

If Past Lives was about the ache of "what if," Materialists is about the truth of "what is." It’s a modern, stylish romantic dramedy for a generation tangled in capitalism, self-branding, and the fear of choosing wrong. At its heart, it’s about stripping away the fantasy to rediscover real connection.

With its box office success and strong reviews, Materialists solidifies Celine Song’s voice as one of the most exciting in contemporary cinema.

⭐ Final Score: 8.5/10

A smart, sincere, and beautifully shot romantic comedy that dares to question the cost of modern love—and who’s really paying for it.

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