Materialists Critiques Love and Status in New York

Celine Song's 'Materialists' is set in New York and follows elite matchmaker Lucy (Dakota Johnson) as she navigates a love triangle with her affluent client Harry (Pedro Pascal) and her sincere but struggling ex, John (Chris Evans). The film critiques how love is commodified in the digital age, with Lucy's high-stakes matchmaking business serving Manhattan's hyper-selective elite. Though Harry appears to be the ideal choice on paper, Lucy ultimately realizes their relationship lacks genuine emotional depth and chooses to reconnect with John. The story subverts genre expectations by focusing on the chaotic and personal challenges of choosing authenticity over material security. Critics praise the film's satirical edge and its homage to classic romantic comedies. Ultimately, Lucy's journey centers on rejecting optimization and ambition in favor of true emotional connection.