Podcast Summary: The Run-Through with Vogue Episode: "Materialists," "Too Much," and the Modern Rom-Com
Release Date: August 15, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Run-Through with Vogue, hosts Chioma Nnadi and Chloe Malle delve into the evolving landscape of romantic comedies (rom-coms) by featuring a comprehensive discussion from the New Yorker's podcast, Critics at Large. The focus centers on two contemporary entries in the genre: Celine Song's film "Materialist" and Lena Dunham's Netflix series "Too Much." The conversation explores how these works attempt to redefine the rom-com for the modern era, addressing shifts in cultural norms, gender dynamics, and audience expectations.

The State of the Rom-Com in 2025

Vincent Cunningham initiates the dialogue by questioning the current status of rom-coms, noting, "We're gathered here today to discuss... the state of the rom com." He observes that while romantic comedies were once box office mainstays, they've recently become platforms for experimentation rather than mainstream hits.

Chloe sets the stage by highlighting the cyclical nature of the genre:

[02:34] Chloe: "We’re in yet another cycle of 'Is the rom com dead? Long live the rom com.'"

Noemi Fry adds that the rise of tentpole intellectual properties has pushed rom-coms into a more indie and experimental space:

[02:34] Noemi Fry: "The rom com has weirdly become kind of, if not actually indie, then a place for potential experimentation."

Alex Schwartz echoes this sentiment, acknowledging the persistent interest in rom-coms despite their fluctuating mainstream appeal:

[02:34] Alex Schwartz: "But if it's dead, people still keep wanting to make them, to watch them, to discuss them."

Defining Elements of a Romantic Comedy

The panel breaks down the essential components that make a successful rom-com:

1. Balance Between Fantasy and Reality:
   Noemi Fry emphasizes the importance of blending relatable elements with aspirational aspects:

   [04:52] Noemi Fry: "It should be a pleasing balance between fantasy and reality. It should be, to an extent, relatable... but it has to reach for the stars in some way."

2. Chemistry and Comedy:
   Alex Schwartz underscores the necessity of genuine chemistry and effective humor:

   [06:27] Alex Schwartz: "And the comedy element, it does have to be funny. And that can actually be a harder note to strike. Comedy's hard."

3. Character Growth and Self-Knowledge:
   The discussion highlights that beyond love, rom-coms often depict a journey of self-discovery:

   [13:42] Alex Schwartz: "The ideal rom com is also a journey to self-knowledge. It’s not just about your perfect wish fulfillment... you have to learn something about yourself."

Vincent Cunningham adds that obstacles and conflicts are crucial for narrative tension:

[06:55] Vincent Cunningham: "There has to be a moment when all seems impossible... and I wanna see them climb that hill back into plausibility."

Analyzing "Materialist" by Celine Song

Noemi Fry provides a synopsis of "Materialist", starring Dakota Johnson as Lucy, a matchmaker who views marriage as a business proposition. The plot thickens when Lucy meets Harry (Pedro Pascal), an ideal match, and John (Chris Evans), her financially struggling ex-boyfriend.

Noemi Fry critiques the film's portrayal of calculated relationships:

[20:21] Noemi Fry: "The soporific vibe... was trying, I think, to make a point about this kind of world that amounts to math."

In contrast, Alex Schwartz appreciates the film's satirical take on materialism in romance:

[19:45] Alex Schwartz: "I have so much to say about this movie... it foregrounded these materialistic aspects and made them the total focus and part of the comedy of the movie."

They debate whether "Materialist" successfully balances cynicism with the potential for warmth, questioning if it still fits within the rom-com framework or veers into romantic thriller territory.

Examining "Too Much" by Lena Dunham

The conversation shifts to Lena Dunham's Netflix series "Too Much," featuring Megan Stalter as Jessica, a young woman navigating a new romance in London after a bad breakup.

Alex Schwartz contrasts Jessica's brash personality with Lucy from "Materialist":

[29:48] Alex Schwartz: "The Jessica character is like this fat woman and he's just sort of like this conventionally handsome guy... Jessica is going to be the too much of the title. She is going to be as much herself as possible."

Noemi Fry highlights the series' exploration of modern relationship dynamics:

[32:32] Noemi Fry: "Jessica... has these dreams, these fantasies based on watching exactly these rom coms, is coming to this new city imagining that she might find her kind of British lover."

The panel discusses how "Too Much" challenges traditional rom-com tropes by presenting a protagonist who is unapologetically complex and relationships that defy straightforward resolutions.

Gender Dynamics and Cultural Reflections

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around how contemporary rom-coms reflect and critique modern gender roles and societal expectations.

Alex Schwartz introduces a theory on the evolution of women's roles in rom-coms:

[40:26] Alex Schwartz: "The rom com... gets its lifeblood from reflecting back women's circumstances in this realistic but also idealized way."

Vincent Cunningham connects "Materialist" to broader cultural movements, suggesting it mirrors the influence of the manosphere and societal pressures on masculinity:

[50:09] Vincent Cunningham: "... the idea of a 'high value man, tall, rich, whatever.'"

Noemi Fry correlates "Too Much" with the shifting dynamics of masculinity, presenting a contrast between traditional and modern male archetypes:

[46:25] Noemi Fry: "Felix... has had this dark relationship to drugs and alcohol. He's now sober and kind of trying to stand the straight and narrow."

The hosts explore how these narratives address the crisis in defining modern masculinity and the implications for heterosexual relationships within the rom-com genre.

Concluding Insights

The episode wraps up with reflections on the potential future of rom-coms and their role in navigating complex emotional and societal landscapes.

Alex Schwartz expresses hope for the genre's ability to balance reality with romantic idealism:

[52:07] Alex Schwartz: "The rom com has a kind of like a political radicalness to it... that's between the fairy tale and the utter Hobbesian."

Vincent Cunningham and Noemi Fry concur that contemporary rom-coms like "Materialist" and "Too Much" are pushing the boundaries of the genre, making it a fertile ground for exploring nuanced relationships and societal shifts.

Notable Quotes

• Noemi Fry:

  [04:52] "It should be a pleasing balance between fantasy and reality..."

• Alex Schwartz:

  [06:27] "The comedy element... can actually be a harder note to strike."

• Vincent Cunningham:

  [50:09] "One of the refrains of materialists is this idea of the 'high value man.'"

• Alex Schwartz:

  [52:07] "The rom com has a kind of like a political radicalness to it..."

Conclusion

This episode of The Run-Through with Vogue offers an in-depth analysis of the current state and future trajectory of romantic comedies. By examining "Materialist" and "Too Much," the hosts shed light on how the genre is adapting to contemporary issues around materialism, gender roles, and the quest for meaningful relationships. The conversation underscores the rom-com's enduring relevance and its capacity to both entertain and provoke thoughtful discourse on love and society.