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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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The Materialists

The Materialists is a 2025 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Celine Song.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Materialists is a 2025 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Celine Song. It stars Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, and follows a New York City matchmaker caught between a wealthy financier and her ex-boyfriend amid the city’s dating scene.

Premise

The film follows a young, ambitious matchmaker whose professional life becomes entangled with her own romantic choices. Its plot focuses on modern relationship expectations, class, and the tension between emotional and material values.

Cast

The lead cast includes Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal. Supporting roles are mentioned in secondary sources, but the most consistently reported principal trio is the three leads.

Production

Celine Song wrote and directed the film after the success of Past Lives. The film was produced by Killer Films and 2AM.

Release

The film premiered in 2025 and was released theatrically in the United States on 13 June 2025, with wider international release later that summer.

Key facts

  • The film is written and directed by Celine Song.
  • It stars Dakota Johnson as a matchmaker in New York City.
  • Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal play the two central romantic interests.
  • The story centres on love, wealth, and modern dating in New York City.
  • It is Song’s second feature film after Past Lives.
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Canadian context

The film is relevant to Canadian readers as an internationally released English-language feature from a major North American filmmaker; Canadian availability may vary by distributor and streaming service region.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Materialists about?
It is about a New York City matchmaker whose personal life becomes complicated when she is torn between a wealthy financier and her ex-boyfriend.
Who stars in The Materialists?
The principal stars are Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal.
When is The Materialists release date?
It was released in the United States on 13 June 2025.
Who directed The Materialists?
Celine Song wrote and directed the film.
Is The Materialists a movie or series?
It is a feature film, not a television series.
Where to watch The Materialists?
According to Rotten Tomatoes, it is available on HBO Max, and can also be rented or bought on Fandango.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Materialists_(film)
    Supports: Identifies the film as a 2025 American romantic comedy-drama written and directed by Celine Song, starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal; includes premise and production details.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/materialists
    Supports: Provides synopsis, runtime, director, genre, and current viewing availability including HBO Max and Fandango.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30253473/
    Supports: Provides release year, runtime, and plot summary.
  4. HuffPost — https://www.huffpost.com/entry/materialists-movie-review_n_684b3292e4b07750fb81b1cf
    Supports: Describes the premise involving a matchmaker in New York City and her affluent clientele.
  5. Variety — https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/materialists-review-dakota-johnson-chris-evans-pedro-pascal-1236422873/
    Supports: Confirms Celine Song as writer-director and the lead cast, and discusses the film’s themes.