Materialists is Celine Song’s second film set in New York City. The ever-fleeting yet romanticised city of all time, followed by its significant other, Paris. Released in theatres on June 13th, Materialists is a true testament to what life can feel like: contradicting, sometimes. The storyline reflects her hopeless romantic spirit, which aligns perfectly with her nature as a realist.

Throughout generations, love has always been a timeless topic that is indispensable, no matter how cliché. No matter how many times we try to suppress it or act like we’re too cool for it, it will be the one thing we come running to at the end of the day.

“Romance isn’t just girl shit.” – Materialists (2025)

What I love about this movie is the fact that we are all living in this new era called modern dating. Whether it’s the rainbows and sunshines or the terror of it, Materialists provided the perfect update we needed to summarise the dating scene in a 116-minute nutshell. Interpretation is always subjective, but as a born-and-raised city girl, I can’t help but relate to or even pity myself for having certain materialist expectations like the characters themselves. Love always wins, but is just love enough in this economy?

Dakota Johnson is the perfect image of Lucy, as well as Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal for their respective characters. The visual chemistry is there, but as I was speaking with my roommates after watching it together, we agreed that there’s still a hunger left for more pining and yearning. We felt their history could be explored more. Like when did they start dating? Do they have the same hometown? Are they high school lovers? Did they go to the same uni? What is it, other than being aspiring actors and actresses together, that made them fall in love in the first place?

That’s where the thought of a series made out of this would be suitable. Imagine an episode for each client alongside the story of Lucy and her journey with love. But that’s just a fan pitch-in.

Now, when I said Celine Song is the Nora Ephron of our generation, I didn’t mean 100% resemblance. She definitely made a proper revival of New York City as the front face of rom-coms and brings the similar warmth through her camera direction, but Celine Song at her core shares a brand new perspective, more gut-wrenching than what Nora had achieved. In the context of un-candy-coated reality, she’s not scared to bring to light the uncomfortable truths that occur in our walk. And that’s exactly what we need.

Is “too good to be true” an attainable concept in the world we live in, or should it be a red flag we’re always on the lookout for?

Editor’s note: The blue dress might just be the new yellow dress from 10 Things I Hate About You, and yes, costume and set design are pivotal in every way possible. So thank you to the crew behind it. The soundtrack? No choice reflects taste better. When I heard Le Temps de l’Amour and Japanese Breakfast, I just couldn’t help but twitch.

As of now, I find many of the values in this film to be at odds with what I believe. Still, I know my perspective might evolve with time and repeated viewings. The conversations it stirs in me, whether in agreement or tension, will remain deeply personal.