Chris Evans delivers a standout performance in Materialists, the latest romance film from director Celine Song, which is already garnering enthusiastic reviews for reinventing the love triangle trope with emotional depth and honesty. The movie, set to hit theaters on June 13, brings together Evans, Dakota Johnson, and Pedro Pascal in a story that explores modern relationships, choices, and the complexity of love.
The Story of Love, Choices, and Modern Matchmaking
Romantic films have become a rarity on the big screen, with straightforward love stories now uncommon compared to the golden era of the ’90s and early 2000s. In recent years, movies like Portrait of a Lady on Fire and If Beale Street Could Talk have kept the genre afloat. Celine Song, celebrated for her Oscar-nominated debut Past Lives, returns with Materialists, a film that both honors and reinvents classical romance storytelling for a contemporary audience.
The plot centers on Lucy, played by Dakota Johnson, a professional matchmaker who has just celebrated her ninth match leading to marriage. At a wedding, Lucy meets Harry, portrayed by Pedro Pascal, a charming and wealthy financier who is more interested in her than her services. That same evening, Lucy reunites with her ex-boyfriend John, brought to life by Chris Evans, a financially struggling actor catering the wedding. Lucy, who often views relationships as business deals and matches as equations, must choose between the stable allure of Harry and her emotional history with John, confronting what she truly values in love and life.
At first glance, Materialists appears to set up a classic love triangle, but Celine Song’s screenplay elevates the narrative well beyond expectations. Instead of painting any of the three characters as villains or making one choice seem obvious, the film provides each with depth and credibility. Lucy’s struggle is genuine, as any of her potential decisions carries its own truth and consequence, keeping viewers engaged and guessing throughout the story.
Richly Developed Characters Redefine the Love Triangle
Materialists is notable for its nuanced portrayal of all three central characters, avoiding the predictable stereotypes so often seen in romance films. Lucy is more than a matchmaker obsessed with numbers; her considerations about financial security stem from past hardships, particularly the challenges she faced during her previous relationship with John. The film does not reduce her interests to superficial concerns, instead offering real insight into her motivations and vulnerabilities.
The script also distinguishes itself by not falling into a simple dichotomy of “rich guy versus poor guy.” Harry, while financially successful and seemingly perfect, is genuinely open and emotionally available, defying typical expectations of the cold, distant fiancé. Extended scenes reveal his personality and give him genuine charm and depth. Lucy often refers to Harry as an “impossible fantasy,” and Song never undermines that allure or authenticity. In contrast, John, Evans’ character, is depicted with empathy. He is not shown as a failure, but as someone working toward his dreams, despite setbacks. The film explores the love and understanding that Lucy and John still share, demonstrating that even an ideal new prospect like Harry might not erase their connection.
Celine Song also chooses to reflect on the broader dating world through supporting characters like Sophie, a client of Lucy’s played by Zoe Winters. Sophie has endured many failed dates seeking “the one,” initially appearing too demanding but eventually revealed as someone searching for genuine connection in a challenging dating landscape. Materialists uses such storylines to highlight the universal desire to feel valued and wanted, while also nodding to modern dating’s unique frustrations and anxieties.
Stellar Performances from Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal
The success of Materialists rests heavily on the performances of its leading trio, with Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans all delivering some of their most compelling work to date. Johnson’s portrayal of Lucy is layered, blending realism with optimism, and maintaining a believable vulnerability even as she contemplates love through a practical lens. Her performance draws audiences in, making it easy to understand why Lucy is torn between her two suitors.
Pedro Pascal is captivating as Harry, perfectly embodying the ideal romantic lead while seamlessly bringing both charm and relatability. He manages to be both aspirational and approachable, providing a nuanced take on a role that could have easily slipped into caricature in lesser hands. Evans, however, stands out as John. He infuses the character with profound emotion, capturing the lingering hope and pain of a lost romance with subtle expressions and gestures. Scenes where he quietly reacts to Lucy’s interactions with Harry are especially moving, allowing the audience to feel the heartbreak and longing that drive his character.
The chemistry and delicate balance among the three leads anchor the film’s emotional impact. Their interactions are filled with tension, understanding, and genuine affection, making Lucy’s ultimate choice both understandable and poignant. The layered performances ensure that audiences see the humanity and desirability of each character, reinforcing the film’s avoidance of clichés and simplistic storytelling.
Celine Song’s Vision Brings New Life to the Romance Genre
Celine Song’s approach to filmmaking is to reimagine familiar structures with greater emotional realism and depth. In Materialists, she takes inspiration from the classic romance films of previous decades but updates them for a modern audience, focusing on the authentic complications of love today. By meticulously developing her characters and their internal worlds, she captures the soaring feeling of new love and the wrenching pain of heartbreak, sometimes within a single moment.
Song’s direction, complemented by editor Keith Fraase—who also worked on Past Lives—helps maintain this emotional balance throughout, enhancing the film’s sincerity and naturalism. The screenplay resists predictable answers, instead posing honest questions about love, compatibility, and the weight of personal history. Materialists is thus not only a return to the era of sweeping romantic dramas but also a progressive step forward that acknowledges contemporary realities.
Materialists arrives as a much-needed entry into the modern romance movie landscape, proving that the genre can still offer stories filled with honesty, complexity, and beauty. With Chris Evans’ standout performance, supported by Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal, audiences are in for a heartfelt exploration of romantic longing, difficult decisions, and the persistent hope that defines true love.
The Cast Brings Heart and Depth to Materialists
The film‘s ensemble is led by Dakota Johnson as Lucy and Chris Evans as John. Both actors demonstrate exceptional range and subtlety, bringing authenticity to the characters‘ emotional journeys. Pedro Pascal complements the central pair as the enigmatic and compelling Harry, ensuring the core love triangle remains engaging and believable throughout the film’s runtime. Celine Song’s thoughtful casting and direction bring out the best in each performer, elevating Materialists into a romantic classic for this generation.
Materialists is poised not only to delight fans of the romance genre but also to captivate newcomers with its honest depiction of relationships and emotional complexity. The film’s release is highly anticipated, and it is positioned to leave a lasting mark on audiences and the broader cinematic landscape, driven by the exceptional work of its cast and creative team.
