Matchmaking, Money & the Heart: Celine Song’s “Materialists” Unpacks Love in the Modern Age
In her second feature film, Materialists, director Celine Song steps beyond the tender nostalgia of Past Lives and dives deep into the complexities of modern relationships. Through the story of Lucy, a successful New York matchmaker torn between a wealthy new partner and a struggling ex, Song asks tough questions: What defines emotional truth?
Can love survive the pressures of class and status? And when everything feels transactional, how do you know what’s real? This article examines the emotional and cultural significance of Materialists, a film that prompts audiences to reflect on romance, identity, and connection in a world where everything is commodified.
Celine Song: From Nostalgia to Now
Celine Song, known for her deeply personal debut Past Lives, brings a new voice to the romantic comedy genre. Born in South Korea and raised in Canada, Song’s international upbringing helps shape her perspective on love, identity, and belonging. Her shift from reflective drama to satirical rom-com isn’t a departure—it’s an evolution.
In Materialists, Song pulls from her real-life experience as a professional matchmaker. Her lens is precise and empathetic. She blends sharp writing with real emotion, capturing the way class and emotional need shape our modern love lives.
Meet Lucy: A Matchmaker with a Choice
Lucy is the heart of the Materialists. She’s bright, beautiful, and emotionally disciplined. She earns a good living as a matchmaker for wealthy clients, but her own love life is messier. She’s caught between two men: Harry, a slick financier with a multimillion-dollar apartment and a flawless lifestyle, and John, her ex-boyfriend, a broke actor who now waits tables.
Their differences aren’t just about money—they reveal two different emotional realities. Lucy’s journey isn’t about picking between men. It’s about discovering her truth in a world that values appearance over connection.
The Diesel Moment: A Small Detail with Big Meaning
One of the most talked-about scenes in the film involves Lucy ordering a drink called a “diesel”—a mix of Coke and beer. It’s not glamorous. But it’s hers. It’s a reminder of who she was before she entered the curated world of wealthy clients and luxury dating services. When John remembers that she loves this drink, it stirs something in her.
The diesel isn’t just a beverage—it’s a symbol. It represents Lucy’s working-class roots, her authentic self, the part of her that doesn’t need polishing or approval. That one moment captures the emotional depth Song brings to small, human details.
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The Triangle: Love, Money, and Memory
Harry and John couldn’t be more different. Harry is smooth, successful, and eager to give Lucy a perfect life. He offers stability, status, and charm. But his love feels curated, almost like another business transaction. John, on the other hand, is messy, broke, and grounded.
He represents Lucy’s past, but also her most honest emotional self. Their relationship feels lived-in, imperfect, but real. This triangle isn’t about a fantasy prince versus a bad boy. It’s about value—what do we value in a relationship? Is it financial security? Or shared memories, unfiltered laughs, and emotional honesty?
A New Kind of Rom-Com
Materialists reinvent what a romantic comedy can be. Instead of relying on predictable tropes, it asks more profound questions. Can love coexist with ambition? Can you build a meaningful relationship in a world that prioritizes success in terms of dollars and status symbols?
The song doesn’t offer easy answers. Instead, she employs humor, realism, and heartfelt performances to allow the audience to explore these questions on their own. The film is clever, but not cynical. It’s funny, but not silly. It respects its characters, and in doing so, respects the audience’s intelligence and emotional capacity.
Performances That Hit Home
Dakota Johnson shines as Lucy. Her performance balances poise and vulnerability. She shows us a woman who’s learned to protect herself with wit and style, but who still longs for something real. Chris Evans surprises as John.
He plays against type—soft, soulful, a little lost. But his love for Lucy feels grounded and sincere. Pedro Pascal brings elegance and subtle control to Harry. He’s not a villain, but he’s a man who lives in a different emotional world. Together, these actors create a romantic triangle that feels honest, modern, and deeply human.
Romance in a Capitalist World
Underneath the love story, Materialists critiques the capitalist framework of modern romance. Lucy works in an industry that treats love like a product. Her clients don’t want chemistry—they want checklists.
And yet, she’s still searching for something intangible and unmeasurable. That tension drives the film. We see how class, money, and identity intersect in every romantic choice. But the film doesn’t shame wealth or idealize poverty. Instead, it focuses on clarity—what do we truly want when we say we’re looking for love?
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Critics Speak: Mixed but Meaningful
The reviews have been a mix of admiration and gentle critique. Some praise the film’s emotional intelligence and realism. Others feel it moves too slowly or tries to blend too many tones. However, even the skeptics agree: Celine Song is a significant voice in film.
She’s willing to challenge genre expectations and offer something fresh. The film may not be for everyone, but for viewers craving depth in a rom-com, it hits home. It’s the kind of movie that sticks with you, not because of a big twist, but because it mirrors real life.
Why This Story Matters Now
In today’s world of dating apps, curated profiles, and relationship “goals,” Materialists feels timely. It captures the difficulty of finding something genuine in a world built on appearances and performance.
Lucy’s story resonates because it reflects the choices so many people face: Do I go with what looks good on paper, or do I choose what feels true in my heart? It’s not just about romance—it’s about identity. And that’s why the film matters. It gives voice to those caught between the world they live in and the love they dream of.
Final Words
Materialists is more than a film. It’s a story about how we live now—our values, our hopes, and our need for connection in a complicated world. Celine Song delivers a movie that’s smart, heartfelt, and socially aware.
It blends romance with realism, showing that the heart still matters in an age of money, metrics, and image. For anyone navigating love in the modern world, Lucy’s journey is a reminder: real love might not be perfect, but it’s always worth the risk.
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