Running the data, the question of romance seems like it should be easy to answer.

After all, with the myriads of dating apps and social networking, finding love feels like it should break down to some form of equation. But with Materialists, writer/director Celine Song points out that the value of real relationships lies in the unquantifiables.

Set in the heart of New York City, Materialists tells the story of Lucy (Dakota Johnson), an ambitious and successful matchmaker. Though she’s currently single herself, Lucy lives by the belief that everyone can find their perfect match (and that has worked lucratively for her career). However, her love life feels like it could change when she meets the handsome magnate, Henry Castillo (Pedro Pascal). But, just as the two strike up a connection, Lucy runs into her attractive (but flat broke) ex-boyfriend John (Chris Evans), causing her to question her choices.

Endearing and insightful, Materialists truly takes its place amongst the year’s best films. In only her second feature, Song once again finds the beauty in our broken humanity. Having worked as a matchmaker herself in her youth, the director has created a film that exposes the frailties of her characters yet also truly celebrates the beauty of their humanity.

In some ways, it’s interesting that much of the marketing for the film focuses on the magnetic nature of its cast. And, frankly, it’s understandable. Each member of the film’s core trio is positively oozing with charisma. As the penniless John, Evans has a twinkle in his eye that completely enchants the viewer. At the same time, with her cool demeanour, Johnson is perfectly cast as the corporately-minded Lucy. But it’s Pedro Pascal who shines most brightly. With a strong presence and quiet demeanour, Pascal’s presence in Materialists exhibits the chiseled good looks of a modern Clark Gable. As high-roller Henry Castillo, Pascal feels like the perfect man. He’s sensitive, sweet and genuine but also rugged and masculine. As a result, while the internet’s fascination with Pascal as a leading man is well-documented but it’s this role that shows us why.

But it’s the strength of Song’s script that is truly worth noting. After the success of Past Lives, Song has once again tapped into the soul of her characters in ways that expose the cracks of our culture’s obsession with perfection. Set within the world of match-making, its love-triangle trope feels like it could have been stolen from the files of 90s romcoms. However, Song never allows the film to fall into the trappings of traditional love stories. Instead, she often takes those same tropes and subverts them, giving the film a more realistic tone. This is a story that offers appreciation for love and yet recognizes its failings in the modern era.

Further, Materialists is also deeply interested in exploring the nature of one’s value. For Lucy, relationships are simply mathematics. After all, people are merely the sum of personality boxes to be checked. If you ‘run the numbers’, you should be able to find the perfect match fairly easily. (And, for the most part, she’s had success in doing so.)

However, Lucy’s statistical analysis gets upended. Without giving spoilers, problems at her workplace cause an existential crisis within her, especially as it comes to what makes people worthwhile. Combined with the tension between her two potential love interests, Lucy is suddenly forced to wrestle with what truly makes someone matter.

And this is where Materialists genuinely shines.

Despite its romcom premise, Song’s film remains laser focused on the flaws of its characters. In a world where everyone dreams of being perfect, Materialists quickly reminds us that our defects are equally important. Here, no one is flawless. And those flaws create a different picture of who they are. But only in knowing these potential failings can we truly know (and, potentially, appreciate) one another in the fullest sense.

With that level of insight, Song weaves together a piece that both emulates and subverts the romcom genre. Smartly written and executed, one cannot help but appreciate the depth of heart and soul that can be found underneath the comedic rumblings of Lucy’s romantic drama. Even in the film’s funniest moments, Materialistsnever loses its focus on the bigger questions at stake. To Song, these characters are more than simple romcom stereotypes. Instead, she’s much more interested in uncovering their value.

Materialists is available in theatres on Friday, June 13th, 2025.