Celine Song’s ‘Materialists’: A Fresh Take on Love and Class in Modern Romance

Remember when rom-coms were all about meet-cutes in bookshops and running through airports? Well, Celine Song’s latest film ‘Materialists’ is here to give us a proper reality check about modern love – and cor blimey, it’s refreshing!

From Past Lives to Present Struggles

After absolutely smashing it with her debut ‘Past Lives’ (and nabbing those well-deserved Oscar nods), Song’s back with something equally thought-provoking but decidedly more pointed. This time, she’s taking aim at that awkward elephant in the dating room: money.

Having caught an early screening at a rain-soaked London preview (very on-brand for us Brits), I can confirm this isn’t your typical glossy romance. It’s more like that time my mate dated a hedge fund manager while working in retail – spoiler alert: it was properly complicated.

Star Power Meets Real Talk

Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal (yes, The Last of Us’ daddy himself), and Chris Evans lead a cast that could easily have turned this into another Hollywood fantasy. Instead, they deliver performances so genuine you’ll forget you’re watching A-listers tackle class warfare in the dating scene.

Song’s genius lies in how she strips away the usual rom-com fluff. That $12m apartment isn’t just a fancy backdrop – it’s practically its own character, highlighting the gulf between her leads with every marble countertop and floor-to-ceiling window.

The Money Talk We Need to Have

Speaking over a Manhattan breakfast that probably cost more than my weekly shop, Song gets properly stuck into the financial literacy crisis: “If you’re a billionaire, your big apartment is not $12m!” she explains, channeling the frustration of anyone who’s ever tried to explain the difference between ‘comfortable’ and ‘loaded’.

It’s this attention to detail that sets ‘Materialists’ apart. When was the last time a romance actually tackled the awkward reality of splitting the bill when one person earns 10 times more than the other?

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

Is ‘Materialists’ similar to Past Lives?

While both films explore modern relationships, ‘Materialists’ focuses more on present-day class dynamics rather than the temporal distance of Past Lives. Think less destiny, more socioeconomic reality check.

When is Materialists released in the UK?

The film hits British cinemas on 15th August 2025, following its successful New York premiere in early July.

Does it have a happy ending?

Without spoiling anything, let’s just say Song delivers something more nuanced than your typical rom-com finale. It’s honest rather than fairy tale – and that’s exactly what makes it brilliant.

The Bottom Line

‘Materialists’ isn’t just another romance – it’s a proper clever take on modern relationships that’ll have you questioning everything you thought you knew about love and money. Whether you’re more champagne and caviar or chips and gravy, this film’s got something to say about how we connect across the cash divide.

And isn’t it about time someone made a rom-com that actually reflects the mess of modern dating? Give me a shout in the comments about your own experiences with cross-class romance – we know you’ve got stories!