Pop Culture Happy Hour: Episode Summary – "Materialists"

Release Date: June 16, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, hosts Ayesha Harris and Linda Holmes delve into the newly released film Materialists. Joined by podcast producer and film critic Kate Young, the trio explores the movie’s exploration of love, financial security, and the intricate dance between the two.

Overview of Materialists

Materialists stars Dakota Johnson as Lucy, a New York City matchmaker who grapples with the fundamental question: should one date for love or financial security? The film presents Lucy entangled in a love triangle with two compelling characters—Pedro Pascal’s wealthy older man and Chris Evans’s aspiring actor who works as a cater waiter. Directed by Celine Song, known for Past Lives, Materialists aims to offer a fresh take on romantic drama by foregrounding the role of finances in romantic relationships.

Hosts’ and Guest’s Reactions and Analysis

Linda Holmes' Perspective

Linda Holmes expresses a generally positive view of Materialists, albeit with some reservations. She appreciates the film’s central theme of financial considerations in romantic choices, noting, “I appreciated having that be the theme of it. I basically enjoyed it” ([03:18]). However, Holmes finds Dakota Johnson’s performance somewhat flat, describing her portrayal as resembling “a meditation video” with a “hyper, soothing, professional voice” ([03:18]). She critiques the film for not being as “closely observed” as Song’s previous work, Past Lives, suggesting that while Materialists is “pretty good,” it doesn’t reach the same emotional depth.

Kate Young's Perspective

Contrary to Holmes, Kate Young is notably more enthusiastic about Materialists. She praises Dakota Johnson’s performance, stating, “she does exactly the kind of Dakota Johnson thing that I like from her” ([04:35]). Young also commends Pedro Pascal’s portrayal, highlighting his “infinite charm” and vulnerability ([15:13]). She appreciates the film’s candid discussion about marriage as a business arrangement, noting its alignment with contemporary discussions about the “soft life” and financial security in relationships ([05:29]). However, Young expresses frustration with the film’s resolution, feeling that the romantic conclusion is too predictable and doesn’t align with the film’s earlier themes ([10:29]).

Ayesha Harris's Perspective

Ayesha Harris presents a more critical view of Materialists, contrasting it with Past Lives. She describes the film as a “fascinating misfire” that, despite its intriguing premise, falls short in execution. Harris criticizes the protagonist’s character development and the film’s reliance on traditional romantic tropes, stating, “I just found myself very confused by the Dakota Johnson character's entire MO” ([07:00]). She also points out the film’s problematic plot device where Lucy experiences trauma related to her matchmaking, which feels forced and ethically questionable ([07:00]).

Discussion of Themes: Materialism vs. Love

A central theme of Materialists is the tension between pursuing love and seeking financial stability. The movie provocatively questions whether financial security should outweigh genuine emotional connections in the quest for a partner. Holmes appreciates the film’s honest exploration of this rarely addressed aspect in romantic movies ([03:18]), while Harris feels that the romantic element is underdeveloped, making the overall narrative feel unbalanced ([07:00]).

Character Analysis: Lucy

Lucy, portrayed by Dakota Johnson, serves as the film’s focal point. Her character is a matchmaker who openly discusses the importance of financial security in relationships. Holmes notes that Lucy’s “plain spoken” nature about money is refreshing but finds her emotional range limited ([03:18]). Harris critiques Lucy’s inability to transition from a materialistic perspective to a more emotionally driven one, finding the character’s transformation unconvincing ([07:00]).

Critique of the Plot and Script

The script of Materialists receives mixed reviews from the hosts. Holmes acknowledges that while the film sets up intriguing questions about money and love, it doesn’t decisively answer them, leaving the audience in a state of ambiguity ([04:29]). Harris criticizes the plot’s reliance on traditional romantic resolutions, finding the midpoint twist—where Lucy has an emotional epiphany triggered by a client’s bad experience—both “icky” and poorly integrated into the narrative ([07:00]). Young points out that the film’s conclusion feels forced, adhering to conventional romantic comedy endings despite the film positioning itself as a drama ([10:29]).

Acting Performances: Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, Chris Evans

Dakota Johnson’s portrayal of Lucy is a point of contention. While Holmes finds her performance flat, Young defends Johnson, appreciating her ability to embody the character’s materialistic yet introspective nature ([04:35]). Pedro Pascal is lauded for adding depth to his character, showcasing both charm and vulnerability ([15:13]). Chris Evans, though not as consistently lauded, receives praise for his role as the cater waiter, with Holmes suggesting he could excel more in romantic comedies based on his performance in Materialists ([13:36]).

Genre Classification and Comparisons with Past Lives

A significant part of the discussion revolves around genre classification. While the film promotes itself as an elevated romantic comedy, Holmes and Harris argue it aligns more with a romantic drama due to its serious themes and less comedic resolution ([09:17]). Comparing it to Past Lives, directed by the same filmmaker, Materialists is seen as less nuanced and emotionally compelling. Holmes appreciates Past Lives for its “closely observed” narrative and chemistry between leads, which she feels Materialists lacks ([02:27]).

Conclusion

Materialists attempts to blend romantic drama with a critique of materialism in modern relationships. While it introduces thought-provoking themes about love and financial security, the execution leaves room for improvement, particularly in character development and narrative resolution. The hosts of Pop Culture Happy Hour provide a multifaceted critique, highlighting both the film’s ambitions and its shortcomings. Despite differing opinions among the panel—ranging from appreciation to disappointment—the discussion underscores the film’s relevance and the ongoing dialogue about the role of money in love.

Notable Quotes

• Ayesha Harris ([00:04]):

  "Look, we're all living in a material world and if you're in the market for a romantic partner, the conundrum may arise. Date for love or financial security?"

• Linda Holmes ([03:18]):

  "I enjoyed it. I certainly did not like it as much as Past Lives. I did not find it as closely observed as that. For me, it is pretty good."

• Kate Young ([04:35]):

  "I felt like I got a much clearer and more accessible insight into Celine Song's kind of thought process."

• Kate Young ([05:29]):

  "Marriage is a business arrangement. That's something that she straight up says a handful of times in the film."

• Ayesha Harris ([07:00]):

  "The protagonist is going to suddenly have an emotional change of heart based on the trauma or the pain of a tertiary character. It felt very icky to me."

• Linda Holmes ([10:41]):

  "I don't understand how to square much of what happens with the movie with the ending, unless you just assume that it has very traditional ideas about romance and love."

• Kate Young ([15:13]):

  "There is also a level of vulnerability under there that I haven't seen in any of his roles."

Final Thoughts

While Materialists may not achieve universal acclaim, its attempt to intertwine romance with socio-economic commentary marks it as a noteworthy addition to the romantic drama genre. The conversation among the hosts and their guest highlights the complexities of balancing financial security with emotional fulfillment, a theme that resonates deeply in today’s socio-economic climate.