On a tired, hungover weekend after a big party, I watched Materialists. I needed to be a bed potato, munch on snacks, and binge something pleasant. The film is from A24 and the cast is hot, so why not? I did expect it to be a good one.
Did I enjoy it? Yes. I didn’t skip any scenes. The cinematography is beautiful and melancholic. The dialogs are gentle, romantic, and lingering.
But is it a film I’d rewatch or tell my friends to rush and see? Probably not. If you’re a materialist, you might not get Lucy’s choice. If you’re a romantic, you’ll probably have your concerns too.
The film is basically another round of the classic love vs. money debate. We all know long-term relationships need more than just one of those. Choosing only love or only money won’t make us happy.
The matchmaking business is a fresh angle to me. We see how people judge potential partners with scales and checkboxes. We see people struggling with loneliness and modern dating. They want to love and be loved, but they’re stuck in their own criteria. People aren’t houses or objects. You can’t just measure them by height, color, or accessories. Dating is risky because people are full of surprises. They can look so nice on the outside, but turn into monsters behind closed doors. No checkboxes show that until you’re behind those doors with them.
The tension between love and finances isn’t new. As someone who loves romance, I’ve seen this plot a thousand times. I’ve also seen real relationships fall apart for the same reasons. So I had certain expectations going into Materialists.
Lucy and Harry’s relationship starts off a bit bland. I don’t like it, but it totally makes sense. Harry bombed the girl with his 12-million apartment, expensive dates, and a trip to Iceland. What a heaven for a materialist, who can say no? I did like the scene where Lucy finds his surgery scar and Harry suddenly drops the charming act to show a rude side of him. That moment feels real. Maybe we all get a little performative until someone touches our insecurities.
The truth is, not everyone can deal with feeling inadequate in a relationship. Lucy can take care of herself, so her partner doesn’t have to play the provider or protector role. But it’s not that simple. As much as money can’t hold Lucy and Harry together, love alone isn’t enough for Lucy and John either.
Actually, John is not that bad if put on the love market. He’s hot, tall, loyal, and clearly crazy about Lucy, so he ticks a bunch of boxes. Still, I feel like John will eventually feel like he’s not enough for her, and Lucy will get tired of shitty restaurants. They’ll probably fight about the same things again—just like they did before, when they were both broke and had only love.
I just hate the forever, to-the-end-of-life promises at the end of the film. Nothing guarantees they won’t end up fighting on the street over $25 again. Nothing guarantees they won’t repeat history.
But hey, it’s a rom-com. Maybe I watched it with too many materialistic filters on. Still, Materialists got me thinking—and that’s a win.