Critics at Large | The New Yorker: “Materialists,” “Too Much,” and the Modern Rom-Com
Release Date: July 10, 2025

Introduction

In the July 10, 2025 episode of Critics at Large, The New Yorker's hosts—Vincent Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz—delve into the evolving landscape of romantic comedies (rom-coms). They explore contemporary additions to the genre, specifically focusing on Celine Song's "Materialists" and Lena Dunham's Netflix series "Too Much". The discussion centers on whether these new projects successfully rejuvenate the rom-com genre for the modern era.

The Rom-Com Genre: Past and Present

Vincent Cunningham opens the conversation by highlighting the declining mainstream presence of traditional rom-coms at the box office. Despite their reduced commercial appeal, there has been an ongoing trend over the past decade to reinvent the rom-com, infusing it with fresh perspectives and experimental approaches.

Vincent Cunningham [02:20]: “They used to be a staple at the box office. And even though that's not really the case anymore, there has been a trend in the last, I don't know, five, ten years of trying to reimagine the rom com for today, whatever that means and by whatever means possible.”

Nomi Fry [02:36]: “The rom com has weirdly become kind of, if not actually indie, then a place for potential experimentation.”

Alex Schwartz [02:58]: “We've been here before a few times. We're back again in 2025. But if it's dead, people still keep wanting to make them, to watch them, to discuss them, but it doesn't have the kind of mainstream cultural purchase that it used to have.”

Essential Elements of a Romantic Comedy

Before diving into the new entries, the hosts outline the quintessential elements that define a rom-com:

• Balance of Fantasy and Reality: The genre requires a harmony between relatable characters and wish-fulfilling scenarios.

  Nomi Fry [04:53]: “It should be a pleasing balance between fantasy and reality. It should be, to an extent, relatable—the plot and the characters—but it has to reach for the stars in some way.”

• Hopefulness and Chemistry: A sense of optimism and believable chemistry between characters are crucial for the magic of rom-coms.

  Alex Schwartz [05:34]: “Romance and comedy are often sorely lacking in just a little hopefulness, that little inner shimmy that you want to see someone undergoing.”

• Obstacles and Conflict: The presence of significant challenges that the protagonists must overcome enhances the narrative tension.

  Vincent Cunningham [06:57]: “There has to be a moment when all seems impossible... I want to see them climb that hill back into plausibility.”

Analyzing "Materialists"

"Materialists", directed by Celine Song and starring Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal, serves as a focal point for the discussion. The film presents a matchmaker, Lucy (Johnson), who approaches relationships as business transactions devoid of sentimentality.

Synopsis
Lucy attends a wedding of one of her successful clients, where she meets Harry (Pascal), an affluent and charming man. Concurrently, she encounters John (Chris Evans), her ex-boyfriend whom she left due to his lack of financial stability. The narrative revolves around Lucy's dilemma: choose the flawless match based on material success or revisit a past relationship grounded in genuine connection.

Nomi Fry's Critique [19:58]:
“I felt it was completely... the soporific vibe of this movie, the complete kind of evenness... was trying to make a point about this kind of world that amounts to math.”

Alex Schwartz's Perspective [22:40]:
“I found the frank acknowledgment that worth and the acknowledgment of worth is what people in the dating market to be funny and to feel true.”

Vincent Cunningham's Insight [26:50]:
“The dual meaning of the title... What if there's no great soul either? What if people aren't these bundles of wonderful qualities waiting to be awakened by love?”

Key Points:

• Materialism vs. Emotional Authenticity: The film juxtaposes calculated matchmaking with the unpredictability of genuine emotions.

• Performance Dynamics: Dakota Johnson's portrayal of an emotionally detached matchmaker contrasts with Pedro Pascal's charismatic yet conflicted character.

• Underlying Themes: The movie subtly addresses societal expectations of wealth and success in relationships, questioning the sustainability of a purely materialistic approach.

Exploring "Too Much"

Lena Dunham's "Too Much" introduces a contrasting narrative within the rom-com framework. The series follows Jessica (Megan Stalter), a young woman navigating a new romance in London after a tumultuous breakup.

Synopsis
Jessica meets Felix Rehman, an indie musician with a troubled past, at a bar. Unlike "Materialists," "Too Much" emphasizes raw emotional expressions and the messy realities of modern relationships.

Alex Schwartz's Analysis [29:57]:
“The Jessica character is like this fat woman and he's just sort of like this conventionally handsome guy... how does attraction translate into making a life together?”

Vincent Cunningham's Commentary [32:50]:
“It’s a show about the most intense parts of romantic couplings, breakups, and beginnings. The obsession, the horrible bits of love... it's utterly harrowing.”

Nomi Fry's Observations [37:00]:
“The fall-out of love and realizing you've been betrayed by love. I loved what Lena Dunham did with that anti-rom com format.”

Key Points:

• Authentic Vulnerability: The series portrays the complexities and imperfections inherent in real-life relationships.

• Character Development: Jessica's journey reflects personal growth through adversity, diverging from the idealized narratives of traditional rom-coms.

• Subversion of Tropes: "Too Much" challenges conventional rom-com expectations by presenting a more chaotic and less predictable romantic progression.

Comparative Analysis: "Materialists" vs. "Too Much"

The hosts juxtapose the two projects to highlight contemporary shifts in the rom-com genre:

• Approach to Relationships:

  • "Materialists" treats relationships as transactional, focusing on economic compatibility.
  • "Too Much" delves into emotional turmoil and the messy realities of love.

• Character Archetypes:

  • "Materialists" features a protagonist who is emotionally detached, valuing stability and success over spontaneity.
  • "Too Much" presents a more flawed and relatable protagonist struggling with personal insecurities and expectations.

• Thematic Concerns:

  • "Materialists" questions the sustainability of materialism in romantic relationships.
  • "Too Much" explores the emotional fragility and unpredictability of modern love.

Vincent Cunningham [45:30]:
“Romantic comedies have always reflected their era's gender dynamics. So what do these rom coms have to say about ours?”

Alex Schwartz [44:35]:
“And someone who recognizes your value in both areas, basically. And now I feel like we're in a little bit... What do you think about that?”

The Evolution of Gender Dynamics in Rom-Coms

The discussion extends to how "Materialists" and "Too Much" reflect current gender dynamics and societal expectations:

• Economic Independence vs. Emotional Dependency:

  • "Materialists" portrays a woman who successfully balances career and love without compromise.
  • "Too Much" features a protagonist who grapples with balancing personal failures and romantic expectations.

• Masculinity:

  • "Materialists" presents contrasting male characters—one affluent and traditional, the other struggling with financial instability and personal demons.
  • "Too Much" showcases a male lead who embodies a softer, caring form of masculinity, challenging conventional macho stereotypes.

Alex Schwartz [53:46]:
“It's about the space of reality where love and attraction and soul spark happen for all different kinds of reasons that are both material and totally non-material.”

Conclusions: The Future of Romantic Comedies

The hosts agree that while traditional rom-coms may no longer command the box office, their essence continues to evolve. "Materialists" and "Too Much" represent divergent attempts to modernize the genre—one through a critique of materialism and the other by embracing emotional complexity.

Vincent Cunningham [52:27]:
“One of the refrains of materialists is this idea of the quote unquote, high value man, tall, rich, whatever. And that is a refrain taken directly from, at least in my experience, the manosphere.”

Nomi Fry [47:31]:
“Because that's the only chance we're grasping at, like, please, like the Bezos of the world.”

Alex Schwartz [53:02]:
“Yes. So it's rich ground.”

Ultimately, the episode underscores that the rom-com remains a vital medium for exploring contemporary relationships, gender roles, and societal expectations. The success of future projects within the genre will likely hinge on their ability to balance relatability with innovative storytelling, ensuring that the magic of rom-coms continues to resonate in an ever-changing cultural landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Vincent Cunningham [02:20]: “They used to be a staple at the box office. And even though that's not really the case anymore, there has been a trend in the last, I don't know, five, ten years of trying to reimagine the rom com for today, whatever that means and by whatever means possible.”

• Nomi Fry [04:53]: “It should be a pleasing balance between fantasy and reality. It should be, to an extent, relatable—the plot and the characters—but it has to reach for the stars in some way.”

• Alex Schwartz [05:34]: “Romance and comedy are often sorely lacking in just a little hopefulness, that little inner shimmy that you want to see someone undergoing.”

• Vincent Cunningham [06:57]: “There has to be a moment when all seems impossible... I want to see them climb that hill back into plausibility.”

• Nomi Fry [19:58]: “I felt it was completely... the soporific vibe of this movie, the complete kind of evenness... was trying to make a point about this kind of world that amounts to math.”

• Alex Schwartz [22:40]: “I found the frank acknowledgment that worth and the acknowledgment of worth is what people in the dating market to be funny and to feel true.”

• Vincent Cunningham [26:50]: “What if there's no great soul either? What if people aren't these bundles of wonderful qualities waiting to be awakened by love?”

• Vincent Cunningham [45:30]: “Romantic comedies have always reflected their era's gender dynamics. So what do these rom coms have to say about ours?”

• Alex Schwartz [53:02]: “It's about the space of reality where love and attraction and soul spark happen for all different kinds of reasons that are both material and totally non-material.”

This comprehensive exploration by Critics at Large provides valuable insights into the state of romantic comedies today, reflecting broader societal shifts and the ongoing quest to redefine love and relationships on screen.