Raw, polished, and unexpectedly profound—this one left a mark.
Materialists completely caught me off guard—in the best way possible. From the very first scenes, what stands out most is the dialogue. It’s rare to find screenwriting that feels this alive. The conversations aren’t just clever—they’re immersive. There are long stretches where you forget you’re watching a movie because you’re so caught up in the cadence, tension, and subtle shifts of emotion between characters. The writing is that good.
This film somehow manages to feel raw and polished at the same time. The performances are incredible, and every actor is fully tuned into the material. Dakota Johnson as Lucy is a revelation. She’s grounded, unflinching, and has this uncanny ability to make silence feel loud. One scene in particular absolutely floored me: when a client casually says she wants to get married because it makes her sister jealous, Lucy pauses—just long enough for it to land—and gently reframes it: “So he makes you feel valued?” It’s one of the most emotionally intelligent pivots I’ve ever seen on screen. That line doesn’t just change the conversation—it validates the client’s deeper need, and maybe even the audience’s too.
The pacing is another strength. There are a few moments where it feels like the movie could end… but then it keeps going. And somehow, it works. Each of those “extensions” adds depth without dragging. It’s as if the film keeps finding new emotional layers to explore right when you think it’s winding down.
Visually, everything feels lived-in and deliberate. The set pieces echo the characters’ inner lives without being too on-the-nose. It’s a film full of sharp edges, soft landings, and a lot of honesty.
Materialists is a masterclass in character-driven storytelling—and one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
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