#lucy materialists

[seenonscreen]

Dakota Johnson as Lucy in "Materialists" (2025)

Meuchner silver oval-hinged choker (made to order)

[stargazir]

I'm becoming so fucking delusional, this isn't funny, make it stop.

[justalittlechocolatemilkshake]

The way Harry asked Lucy if she liked his apartment when they were in bed together- so, so cute. And him making her breakfast and getting her passport. It was all just so sweet. It did feel very weird to me when he admitted he didn't think he could offer her love. From the way he talked about it, it sounded like he wanted to but felt foolish or maybe he'd never tried. Maybe because the world they both lived in prioritized "high value" and investments? That conversation they had at the last restaurant was a doozy. But I don't know if Lucy would have stayed with him even if he did say he loved her, or would try. I think she saw John again and it reminded her of the love she wanted and already had.

[deeninadream]

Watching Materialists Trailer:

Me: “Dakota, you lucky dog”.

Also me: “Pedro, you lucky dog”.

Also, also me: “Chris, you lucky dog.”

[morganasmissus]

guys I’m about to say something so controversial rn-

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH BABYYY!!!

shoutout to my friend who pointed the aro coding of this movie out to me (an aroacespec person) who totally forgot that was a thing (I was blindsighted by Pedro okay leave me alone😭)

[crowpriestess]

Lucy materialists icons

Like ou reblog If you use please.

[stargazir]

DON'T FUCKING FUMBLE THIS, LUCY. THE WHITE BROKE EX BOYFRIEND ISN'T WORTH IT. GET THAT BAG AND THAT SEXY GENTLEMAN!!!

The Materialists [2025]

[dragonsareawesome123]

An unexpected run-in: Priceless

Materialists (2025) dir. Celine Song

[zepskies]

So I just saw The Materialists...

Not gonna lie, it wasn't really what I was expecting, but it had its good moments. And of course, Pedro Pascal was swoon worthy as Harry Castillo. I just wanted to wrap him up and be his little spoon 💓 (or his big spoon. I'm not picky)

Chris Evans was also adorably scruffy lol

*some spoilers and thoughts below the cut*

It was all very well acted by everyone. What bothered me was the story itself and Lucy as the MC. Pedro's Harry Castillo deserved better imo. He tugged at my heart more than John to be honest. 😢

I wouldn't classify it as a rom-com either. There isn't much comedy tbh. I would say it's a romantic drama. It is very grounded and "real." The industry of matchmaking, making commodities out of people, was really interesting--just as the potential dangers there were heartbreaking.

But I think I just can't really relate to/connect with Lucy as a character. I appreciate that she's flawed, and that she learns a "valuable" lesson about love vs. materialism, but she's kind of hard to root for overall. She admits it herself: she's "not a good person." She's judgmental, she's cold (at least in her romantic relationships).

I could get past these things, if I felt more of a struggle of attraction and connection between her and Harry vs. the pull of what's comfortable between her and John. But it doesn't seem like she even tries to get to know Harry for who he is after she agrees to seriously date him. It feels like she's unintentionally using both men at the same time for different things -- Harry for the lifestyle she wants, and John for the emotional comfort she needs, all while not truly investing of herself in either one.

Idk, it's just hard for me to relate to a main character in a romance when I can't feel the yearning of a love story, even if the MC is reluctant to be in love.

Lucy does have a "realization"/some form of character development by the end, but on the whole it felt more like she was using Harry more than trying to have a real relationship with him. The best thing she could've done for him was what she ultimately did - set him free.

And with Lucy and John, while I did get that sense of true caring and the "best friend" bond in your ex-partner, it's one of the few times where I wonder if this couple would actually make it past a few more months of struggle after the end of the movie lol.

All in all, I wanted to love this movie, but the conflict vs. desire vs. romantic pull wasn't strong enough for me. 🥲

Is it though? 😭 (I agree with Harry)

[your-chaotic-neutral]

I just watched Materialists and I'm having difficult feelings about this movie. Who wouldn't want a man like Harry? Who wouldn't try for and with a man like Harry? Yes I'm a Harry sympathiser. A man that's honest. Someone who sees your value even if you might not. A man that's willing to invest in you, not just monetarily. A man that says this is what you're worth and you deserve absolutely nothing less. Because relationships are an investment. Marriage is an investment. You're investing time and interest and hoping to cash out something that's secure. Love is an added benefit. And I'm not saying that I don't love love. I love love! But I can also acknowledge that love comes in different forms. And when looking for a casket buddy more things than just romantic love comes into play.

Now I'm not saying that I hated John and what he had to offer, but let's be so for real. What he had to offer simply wasn't enough, and I'm not even talking financially. In the undisclosed years they were broken up he made absolutely no self improvement? Not a better paying job, not more ambition, nothing. Really? In your 20's that shit might fly but as someone that's almost 40? No. Not good enough. No one's saying give up on your dreams but if the only thing that's making you hungry to get what you want is the possibility that the "love of your life" might not want to get back with you, then how badly did you really want it? You mean to tell me he wasn't trying to get every possible acting job there was? He didn't try getting more shifts or a promotion so he could get a better place with roommates that won't leave condoms on the floor? I want to scream into the ether at John. He's so frustrating as a character. Potential is good but it doesn't pay the bills. Potential is good but it doesn't get you to where you want to be. Potential is good but it's not good enough if you're not doing anything with it. And randomly bumping into Lucy shouldn't have been the thing that put fire in your chest to win her back. Her calling you broke in the middle of the road in broad daylight should have been the thing. Also nothing about that relationship flashback gave anything to aspire to. She's clearly materialistic as the title implies and he's cheap as fuck l. What do you mean you forgot our 5 year anniversary and didn't bring any money despite me telling you that we're going to a fancy restaurant? She tells you that you'll end up hating each other because both of y'all are broke, should have been the end of that storyline. A character like John is not who we should be writing movies about!! Why is the onus on the woman for you to be a better person?! Be better in spite of her not because of her.

Lucy, you dumb bitch. I can't even fault you. We all want someone to love us simply because they do. But you just cosigned a life with a man who you gave a monologue to about love not being enough. Girlie, open your eyes. You're very words were everything's going to be great for a couple of years and then the arguing will start. You will have children in hopes of fixing the relationship, and for a while it will work. But then it won't be enough. You will continue to argue only now you're trying to hide it from children, and then eventually you'll start arguing in front of the children, and then you'll resent having children. Next thing you know you're divorced and fighting over who gets the house and what days you see the children. Lucy, when that man proposed by asking you if you want to make a bad financial decision that's the exact life you agreed to. I'm not saying that she should have chosen a loveless albeit fun and exciting relationship with Harry, because she did want that big love. But I'm just stuck on the fact that out of all the fuck ass men in New York, she settled for the broke one. Because that's exactly what that relationship is, her settling for something that's familiar and comfortable.

I wanted to love it because it's been so long since we've had a good romantic comedy, but this left me hungry and upset.

[seenonscreen]

Dakota Johnson as Lucy in "Materialists" (2025)

Proenza Schouler 'Odette' silk viscose strapless dress in Cerulean (L'ENSEMBLE)

[wayward-dreamer]

My Thoughts on Materialists!

I will say, with the absolutely, overwhelmingly glowing reviews the film has been getting, I genuinely thought that it wasn't going to live up to my expectations. While I was expecting it to be a rom-com as marketed, I don't actually mind that it's more romantic drama with a few laughs thrown in (I found the client montages to be really entertaining). I think that was the better route to go for the subject matter, especially when the tonal shift happens later in the film (TW for SA in the film. It's not graphically depicted by any means, but it is talked about and becomes a plot point for one of the supporting characters), but I totally get the people that were disappointed in knowing it wasn't within the genre advertised. Which I think is more the fault of the marketing/production team rather than Celine Song herself or the cast. I wanted to leave that above the cut so people know what they're getting themselves into.

The film is so beautifully made, the aesthetics are absolutely gorgeous from the warmth of using 35mm film to the stunning soundtrack that supports it really well. There's some really beautiful shots throughout, and Harry's introduction into the movie is honestly pure perfection. (You'll know exactly what I mean when you see it!)

Okay, let's dive into the rest! This will probably be pretty long, but I hope you'll stick around and please feel free to add into the conversation!

*SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT*

I want to talk about both men in relation to Lucy, as I think that's essentially how the film is structured.

So, let's start with Harry, "the unicorn".

I absolutely loved him and how charming, sweet, compassionate and ultimately, vulnerable he was. I feel like you could really understand why he is the way he is, and why he even did the surgery in the first place. I actually want to focus on that for a second, because I think there's a much deeper reason why he and his brother (Peter, I think his name was?) did it in the first place. It's not explicitly said, but they're clearly of Latin roots and that I would imagine would make people underestimate them in this society that they've found themselves in. So in order to have the upper hand in every aspect, to be taken seriously by others as individuals and as a company (which the mother started, which is so great and emphasised the importance of the matriarch in their culture), they did what they had to do. I love that his vulnerability comes from this physical augmentation, as specifically within their class there's so much emphasis that's put on height and how you carry yourself, within the social circle and within high level industries. So him being so suave - or more like the front that he's putting up - makes more sense when you factor that in.

His relationship with Lucy is interesting because I feel like their opinions are constantly challenging each other in the best way possible. He highlights in the restaurant scene (which was one of my favorites!) after her "unicorn" monologue, that he wants someone to challenge him and I think they both really do that. They have a smart and mature relationship, but ultimately what's lacking is the fact that they're not in love with each other. He points out in the break-up scene that it makes him feel like an idiot, but I do believe that comes more from his vulnerability of what he did rather than not wanting it in his life. He says that he finds love the hardest thing in the world and that's why he doesn't believe he's capable of it, because it holds more weight for him than he can really express. That's why he and Lucy don't work out, because love isn't equally weighted for them, as she believes it to be easy. I went into this film wanting them to be endgame, but I actually like that they didn't because despite the fact that they work well on paper, if love isn't there then it just won't work.

All of that said, I do wish that they had given us a hint of where he ends up in the climax of the film. I really wished we could've known more than he's in the client list of Adore and meeting a woman who's an art dealer. I honestly thought that maybe implying that he and Sophie had been on dates and were seeing each other seriously would've been nice, considering she was still open to finding the love she deserved despite what happened to her. Love was hard for her too, and I think because of them both weighing it equally they could've navigated a relationship really well together.

I just think that Harry was just as important as John in the film, and they should've given him a happy ending. He was a really good man, and Celine Song even said it was important for Harry to not be the bad guy, which was beautifully shown by her and by Pedro, so I really wish he had been given an ending worthy of that.

Now let's talk about John, "the complication".

I was pleasantly surprised by the character because from the trailers I really thought he was going to be more of a toxic ex, a hothead that maybe refused to get his life together. While his life is still pretty much a mess, I really got the sense that he was trying within his means. There's of course some things he couldn't control or change, but he really wanted to and acknowledged that. That's where his vulnerabilities lie, in his life and circumstances and the fact that he's just trying to do better and get out of the cycle. I think he was just so sweet and caring, and his history with Lucy really informed his love for her. He really wore his heart on his sleeve for her, and the "when I see your face" monologue was heartbreakingly beautiful. I think Chris really made him endearing despite the kicked puppy that John was, and I think anyone else wouldn't have been able to do it justice.

His relationship with Lucy was also interesting because it's so informed by their history and where things went wrong. There's a reason she turns to him when things go wrong with Sophie and it's because even though they're not together, they understand each other and what they need. He knows she just needs someone to listen and be there, and that's what he provides her with in that moment. They have a friendship that's meaningful even though there's longing for them to be more, like they used to be.

I really did end up loving their ending. I think it made sense for them as they both realised the changes that need to be made, and he makes her a promise of how he's going to change his life and do better. I think if he hadn't have said anything of that then it would've been stupid for them to end up together. I also think that Lucy voicing that she's been cold and that she's not a good person is an acknowledgment in and of itself that she wants to change too, and that's why she's ready to be with him again. They both know there's going to be struggles, but they've learnt a lot from when they were in their 20s and didn't know what was really important in a relationship.

And now for "Lucy M, the eternal bachelorette..."

I think from what I've been reading, I might be the only one who actually liked how flawed Lucy was. She's really cutthroat at her job, she's cold as she mentions, and she puts importance on materialistic value rather than a person. However, as the story unfolds, when what happens with Sophie really gets to her and John starts to filter back into her life, she really starts to see things differently. Everything that happens basically acts like holding a mirror up to her and making her realise how she's treated people, and treated the idea of love. It's not as easy as she makes it out to be, if it was then she and Harry would've worked out or she never would've broken up with John in the first place. I think she goes on an interesting journey once she really gets "the ick" with her job, because not only does she have to acknowledge the flaws of the matchmaking business, she has to acknowledge her own flaws as well. By the end she knows that the way she values wealth isn't right and that loving someone for who they are is so much important, but that can also be true along with wanting financial security in your life. I think she was a really interesting character because she was so reluctant to find love for herself, but she never really needed to look anywhere else apart from at John. All she needed to do was realise the faults of the relationship and find a way to work through them in order to make a fresh start with him.

Apart from all of that...

I think the acting was great. Pedro was fantastic as usual, completely swoon worthy and he brought a vulnerability to Harry that I don't think anyone else could've and have the same impact. Chris was so lovably pathetic and as I said, totally heartbreaking while also being endearing. I haven't seen many of Dakota's movies apart from (unfortunately) 50 Shades, The High Note and Cha Cha Real Smooth, but I also think she did a really great job in this.

I think a lot of the dialogue was really snappy and quirky, but there were some lines that didn't work. I think they could've found other ways to say "the math" rather than repeat that over and over. It was feeling like a drinking game at one point.

Other than that, I really did like this film a lot. I don't think I love it as much as Past Lives, but I really thought it was sweet and heartfelt. So yeah, I think Celine Song has cemented herself a favorite director/writer of mine.

[georgiapeach30513]

[ovaryacted]

Commentary on Materialists below & possible spoilers.

I know today is Materialists premiere day and I hope those who are watching the movie have fun, but it’s sort of ridiculous that Pedro Pascal only has about an estimated 10 minutes of screentime in an almost 2 hour movie. Ten whole minutes. Not to mention it’s clear that with the romcom formula, Dakota’s character won’t end up choosing the billionaire because in this political climate we can’t have someone who’s relatively in a higher wealth class be with someone in the same tax bracket or higher. But sure I guess, I mean there must be a valid reason as to why she goes back to the brokey right? Must be.

Anyways, it really is Gladiator 2 all over again where Pedro was used for immense promo because they knew his name would bring additional viewers but when you watch the movie his character is either underdeveloped or disregarded entirely. I know his limited screentime probably has to do with him taking on so many projects all at once and I can sympathize with that especially considering he’ll be affiliated with Marvel + Disney for a while, but it still sucks seeing this trend where POC are used for promotional content and are completely forgotten in the material itself. This also isn’t exclusive to just Pedro, but has happened with other actors like Manny Jacinto & now Simone Ashley in the F1 movie who practically had her scenes completely cut out to focus more on Brad Pitt like??? It’s hilarious that the same director (Joseph Kosinski) cut out scenes involving POC to give the white actors more screen time, won’t be saying much on that but just know I’m #noticing patterns.

Anyways chile, that man deserves a lead role sometime soon, and preferably one that won’t benefit white actors cause I’m tired of poc being used as crutches to bring others back to stardom (cough Chris Evans cough).

[pascalland]

[iamasaddie]

so, Materialists

cw: movie spoilers, personal opinion, mention of sexual assault in fiction

i am not great at expressing all of my thoughts on paper, that's why i would be a shitty movie reviewer so this is all a bit jumbled and hectic, but i just wanted to get it out i guess

first of all, i am honestly surprised Celine Song made that movie. maybe the problem was that my expectations were too high after seeing 'past lives', or maybe because to me the promo-tour was a bit misleading. this movie lacks depth and progressiveness is tried to claim.

what i didn't like: the movie was painfully predictable from the first trailer but i nurtured a hope in my heart that Celine would surprise us, she looks like a very layered woman with unique voice that she lost during this film. this movie tried to be critical of modern dating and putting "a price" on something so unexplainable and etheral as love but it did it poorly. this is not the "broke man propoganda" that i first thought it'd be, no, it's a toxic man and low self steem propoganda. there's no great love story to see between Lucy and John, there's zero character growth. there's zero reason as to why she'd come back to him except for her painfully low self esteem that we witness during her moment with Harry at the restaurant.

the whole 'hight' ordeal and the forced stereotype of 'he could be the best guy in the world but if he's not 6ft no woman would date him', to me that was lame and honestly lowkey myisogynistic and lazy, it didn't do anything just annoyed me. the argument that "oh she came back to john bc she didn't love harry" pisses me the fuck off because SHE KNEW JOHN FOR TWENTY YEARS AND SHE KNEW HARRY FOR TWO WEEKS! she didn't even give love a chance to develop. love is not something that happens at the snap of your fingers if you're not a hormonal teenager and even then it's just lust. in my opinion she ends up with John because of her low self worth and their similar background with John, she could never "afford" a man like Harry, he's complex and she needed someone simple and...easy. at the end it just felt like he didn't choose John, she settled for him with hopes that maybe this time it'll be better (spoiler alert it won't). Lucy and Harry had a perfect ground to build respectable, kind, gentle and nurturing relationship that would undoubtedly turn into love but the writers decided to be ??? i dunno, lame.

the way they "closed" harry's storyline was so poorly written like he wasn't one of the main characters, he just kinda disappeared. no idea what was supposed to be groundbreaking and fresh about this movie. maybe they thought they were bending the genre by including a side character who is a SA victim and trying to make the movie "more serious than any other romcom" by showcasing her trauma without giving a proper warning to the audience. (before you @ me that it was not supposed to be a romcom check IMDB and look at genres. check any other movie site and look at genres, NOWHERE DOES IT SAY DRAMA)

what i liked: it's a "safe" movie, nothing will surprise you which can be both good and bad. the performances were great, Pedro, Dakota and even Chris Evans gave it their all, minor characters were also fantastic. the cinematography and soundtrack was beautiful. some of the dialogues stuck with me. also loved that Celine didn't shy away from trying to show the differences in physical intimacy for both "couples" to highlight the difference of Lucy's involvment in two relationships from the start. also Pedro's back in the shower.

overall it's a movie i wouldn't intentionally watch again, but if it came up on TV or if i had it available on a flight i wouldn't mind drifting off to it. like my bf said: it's like bringing the best ingredients to the world renowned chef and they serve you the blandest burger the world has ever seen. will you still eat it? yes, because it's food and it's fresh. but do you wish they at least used some fucking salt and pepper? also yes.

+ some of the comments from all the other reviews i've seen that made me laugh more than the movie ever did