• Materialists will hit theaters on June 13
  • Director Celine Song is being hailed as a ‘savior of rom-coms’ thanks to the movie
  • Others branded Materialists as ‘the best movie of the year’
Dakota Johnson stars in Materialists
Dakota Johnson stars in Materialists Credit: IMAGO/ SOPA IMAGES

Good news, rom-com fans – as Materialists is about to hit theaters across the globe. 

The movie, directed by Past Lives creator Celine Song, follows the antics of high-end matchmaker Dakota Johnson. 

The character then finds herself in a love triangle between Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal (sure, there are worse problems to have, but we’ll go with it). 

Set to hit the big-screen on June 13, some lucky critics have been given a sneak-peak of the movie – and have done nothing but sing its praises. 

Celine Song praised for Materialists  

Song – who received Oscar nominations in the nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay categories for Past Lives – is being hailed as a “master in her domain” and the “savior of rom-coms” by critics following the first screenings of Materialists.

“I really liked MATERIALISTS,” wrote one. “Celine Song plays with rom-com tropes to deliver something edgier, moving but not saccharine. 

“The standout for me is Chris Evans playing a broke actor working catering jobs. It’s refreshing to see him play a normal person with depth and insecurities.”

Someone else went on, “Celine Song brings an exquisite sense of depth and yearning to the modern fairy tale rom-com in #Materialists, and if you’re like me, it’ll make you swoon hard. 

“The three leads blend charm and thoughtfulness with ease, and Song helps prove that NYC is the most romantic city in the world.”

Materialists hailed as ‘one of 2025’s best movies’  

Branding the movie “one of the best movies of the year”, others praised the three lead actors. 

“Dakota Johnson is breathtaking in this role,” they said. “It’s unlike anything she’s done before. Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal, are you kidding me?! 

“It’s clear Celine Song has been through some experiences in life. Her writing is so real.”

And another added, “I’m enamored in the way Celine Song continues to capture a realistic, yet still poetic, look at the various facets of love in her films. 

“Materialists is a beautiful and lighthearted continuation of that classic theme. Also, Pedro is downright delectable in every scene.” 

Sophie Cockerham is a freelance journalist with more than seven years of experience. Her writing can be seen across titles such as Grazia, The Mail on Sunday, Femail, Metro, Stylist, RadioTimes.com, HuffPost,...