Release date: June 13, 2025 (USA)
Director: Celine Song
Starring: Dakota Johnson; Chris Evans; Pedro Pascal
MPAA rating: R
Running time: 1h 49m
Distributed by: A24, Stage 6 Films, Sony Pictures Releasing
Went in with slightly lower expectations for a film starring Chris Evans & Pedro Pascal. So let’s discuss the outcome of checking out, Materialist!
Where do I start to discuss this title? Let’s break it down.
Characters
Materialists focuses around 3 characters. Dakota Johnson playing Lucy. A match maker with a pretty good success rate resulting in 9 marriages. Having some back story connection to Chris Evans character John, they meet during the 9th wedding that resulted in her match making. John works as catering for the event and thus is introduced to our third character. Harry Castillo played by Pedro Pascal, the “Unicorn” guy made very highly sort after in the match making dating game. Harry is brother to the groom getting married and is beyond invested in getting to know the woman that’s behind match making for a living.
John is attempting to make ends meet. Living with room mates and going out to a restaurant is considered a luxury occasion. While Harry is very well off. Money is no concern nor issue when paying for the tab at the most luxurious establishment.
Usually Dakota Johnson’s characters are very much the same. Expressionless & dull with no substance. The character of Lucy fits this acting so well that I actually found her to be half decent alongside Pascal & Evans.
Story
Choosing between love & a business deal when it comes to marriage and the person whom you’ll spend the rest of your life with. Do you struggle and make ends meet together despite hard times but knowing the love is true and for eternity. Or choose that of materialistic relationship with no worries nor cares to worry about anything that could potentially be a hardship.
I actually liked the story beats implemented that others critic the trailer for not showing or “misleading” the viewer into. I can’t go into much to avoid spoilers. So I’ll say some punches were held back but a focus point was made apparent and brought to the surface when it comes to dating / random match making with strangers.
Overall
I actually had a good time and enjoyed this feature. It’s a very good watch getting a Popped score of 7.5/10. I probably wouldn’t watch again but I had an entertaining time and enjoyed watching the credits to completion with some fun easter eggs :D.
Stick around for 2 more reviews to come as we dive into this coming weeks releases: 28 Years Later & Elio.
Thanks for coming by Popped for your movie “reviews” and I’ll see you all, next time :D.
Popped! 