Pedro Pascal stars in acclaimed romcom Materialists, which has already received a high Rotten Tomatoes rating before its official debut in cinemas. The film, featuring an ensemble cast and helmed by director Celine Song, is set to open in theaters on June 13 and is generating considerable anticipation among both critics and audiences.
Noteworthy Cast and Storyline Unveiled
Materialists brings together Captain America’s Chris Evans, Dakota Johnson from Madame Web, and The Last of Us actor Pedro Pascal. Johnson takes the lead as Lucy, a high-end matchmaker living in bustling New York City. The plot centers around Lucy, who finds herself navigating a tangled love triangle involving her former partner, played by Evans, and a wealthy client, portrayed by Pascal. The film’s official description highlights,
“A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex.”
—official logline
Critical Praise and First Reactions
Materialists has quickly gained popularity with film reviewers, earning a noteworthy 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 33 published critiques. BBC Culture called the film,
“exquisitely made, character-driven and talky, with some glittering dialogue. It’s the kind of idiosyncratic film a director sometimes gets to do after a great success and Song makes the most of it.”
—BBC Culture
The Wrap encouraged audiences with,
“I do heartily recommend you see Materialists, and that you see it for what it is, not what it kinda looks like from the outside, as pitched to you by the very sort of romance-commodification salespersons that Celine Song’s movie criticizes.”
—The Wrap
According to IndieWire,
“Song has turned the genre inside out to show us how shallow these stories can be. In short, imagine if the decree that a film centers on ‘the love you could only find at the movies’ wasn’t a compliment, but a stern provocation,”
—IndieWire
The Hollywood Reporter described the romcom as,
“A refreshingly complex look at modern love, self-worth and the challenges of finding a partner in an unaffordable city, which once again treats three points of a romantic triangle with equal integrity and compassion.”
—The Hollywood Reporter
Variety noted the film’s distinctive approach, stating,
“While it’s all too easy to imagine the breezy ’90s version of this movie, Materialists is very much not that movie. It’s a sharp and serious social romantic drama full of telling observations about the way we live now.”
—Variety
Screen International contributed its view on the story’s realism, explaining,
“Although not without its narrative stumbles, this is a sharp look at modern love, which is often as much about the need for fiscal security as it is the pursuit of a mythical soulmate.”
—Screen International
What Audiences Can Expect at Release
Materialists will premiere in cinemas starting June 13, marking a highly anticipated moment for fans of romantic comedies and those interested in films tackling both emotional and societal themes. The film’s cast—including Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal, and Dakota Johnson—along with Celine Song’s directorial style, have together generated critical buzz months ahead of its release. Set against the backdrop of New York and touching on themes of love, ambition, and the search for security, Materialists stands out as a thought-provoking addition to the genre.
Given the early praise and strong initial reception, Materialists appears poised to make a significant mark at the box office and among viewers searching for modern takes on romance. With reviews noting its complexity and social relevance, the movie is likely to inspire conversations around partnership, matchmaking, and the delicate balance between heart and practicality in today’s world.
