I’m a big fan of weird movies, and I’m a big fan of the studio A24. I think what they’re doing to the film industry is great. Most of their films include stunning visuals and cinematography while commenting on society. “Materialists,” released in 2025, comments on the dating world today.

The beginning of “Materialists” made me want to be a matchmaker; gossip-filled work lunches, a team full of talented women and endless invitations to weddings. 

This is the first A24 film that has disappointed me.

The film left me unsettled. Without spoiling too much, a big theme in the film is marriage, specifically that marriage is a contract or business deal. The lead character, Lucy (played by Dakota Johnson), is a matchmaker who rises to success. She is good at her job because she is judgmental, as stated in the movie.

Lucy matches people together based on how many boxes they check off each other’s list of requirements for a significant other. “Materialists” is a comment on the modern dating world and the superficiality of dating apps. Scenes throughout the film show Lucy meeting with her clients; all of them describe the physical features they want in a potential partner.

Now, I agree that attraction is based on physicality, however, the film makes the claim that one’s physical appearance and money are the most important aspects of love in modern dating. Most of Lucy’s male clients ask for a young pretty girl who is fit. On the other hand, women asked for a tall man. 

The way “Materialists” treats people as objects is disturbing. Of course you could go on social media and hear all sorts of things about the dating world, however, some of the dialogue in the film left my jaw on the floor. 

I understand the message, but the way the message was conveyed was crude. Not all men want a young pretty girl who is fit and not all women want a tall man. 

I did however like the bookending of the film. The beginning of “Materialists” made absolutely no sense. In fact, my boyfriend and I had to double check we were watching the correct film, but it all came together in the end which was satisfying.

The ending does a lot of heavy lifting in a short amount of time. Not only does it bring the film together, but it tries to resolve all the insults that occurred throughout the hour and half I spent watching.

It shows Lucy’s character growth and that love is still possible even if you aren’t rich. If course Johnson is gorgeous and so is her co-star Chris Evans. Since this is Hollywood, good looks are almost always a given in a rom-com. 

The film had good intentions of reminding audiences that love is more important than looks and money, but the approach was strange, and missed the mark for me. Is “Materialists” a bad movie? No. Is it a movie about an uncomfortable subject starring good actors? Yes. Did it make me feel insecure? Yes.

I’m not saying don’t watch “Materialists.” I’m saying watch at your own risk. “Materialists” will leave you reflecting on what you watched for days.