Is 'Materialists' Just About Choosing Love Or Money? The Director Shares Her Take On "Broke Man Propaganda"

Plus, why we think Celine Song's film is so wonderfully frustrating.

Published on Aug 8, 2025

PHOTO: Columbia Pictures, A24

Editor's note: This story contains major spoilers.

If anything could get me into a movie theater, it's a romance film—especially a good romantic comedy. I love how rom-coms explore the female protagonist's life while she finds true love, all with a fun and lighthearted vibe. What can I say? I'm a sucker for love, and it feels good to see a film that makes you feel in love. That's what I felt when I first saw the trailer of Celine Song's Materialists.

It was a quick teaser with Dakota Johnson (Lucy) owning her character as a matchmaker who's torn between two dashing men—Chris Evans (John) and Pedro Pascal (Harry). Aside from it being pegged as a rom-com from its teasers, it's the fact that there was the concept of a "love triangle," which, I think, just makes everything extra exciting.

But apparently, Materialists is not a rom-com—and it's not about the love triangle, at all.

There was a surge of emotions after watching the film. More than being in love, I felt conflicted. Perhaps, that's a good thing. Perhaps not. Naturally, we wanted to ask Celine Song many questions about the film—and we did. But first, let's break down the story.

What is 'Materialists' about?

Materialists starts with Lucy (Dakota) navigating her life as a matchmaker in New York City. She finds people to match with her clients who are looking for love or someone to marry. While she finds love for other people, Lucy remains uninterested in being in a relationship. There was even a scene in the film where she says, "I'm gonna die alone," noting how she finds it hard to settle down with someone despite her being a matchmaker.

Materialists illustrates a comparison of how love is often treated more as a transaction rather than a natural human instinct. Using the realities of the matchmaking industry, people are reduced to numbers—salary, height, weight, and property.

That is, until Lucy's own love story begins.

An internal conflict sparks within her, torn between two polar opposite paths shaped by the stark socio-economic differences between John (Chris) and Harry (Pedro). John is Lucy's 37-year-old, broke ex-boyfriend. He works as a food caterer while pursuing an unremarkable acting career in New York. He's the complete opposite of Harry—an accomplished, wealthy private equity investor, with a $12-million penthouse.

Naturally, the film then begs the question: Which guy would Lucy choose?

(Before you proceed, we give you a fair warning: spoiler alert!)

What Does Celine Song Think About 'Materialists' As "Broke Man Propaganda"?

You see, Lucy chose to marry John, despite everything. So, when we got five minutes to chat with Celine Song, we had to ask the reason behind Lucy's choice, and if John was the only choice.

In an exclusive interview, Celine confidently told Cosmopolitan Philippines, "Yes, it is truly just about love." Now, most people would argue: But he's poor!

He is poor, and aside from loving Lucy, he has nothing "material" to offer. Critics have already expressed their thoughts on the film's ending, floating the concept of "Broke Man Propaganda." To put it simply, the Broke Man Propaganda portrays financially unstable—and sometimes even emotionally unavailable—men as the ones women should choose, because love will conquer all. It overlooks the very real financial challenges women face in a still-patriarchal society, where women often earn less than men, have fewer job opportunities, and are frequently expected to rely on a partner's economic support.

But Celine strongly disagrees with this argument. She challenges the idea that the film promotes the so-called propaganda just because Lucy chose the broke guy. "I'm very concerned about any time that people are confusing feminism—which has always been something that is at the forefront of anti-capitalist, anti-classist movement—with us being very brutal about poor people," Celine said.

Click to Enlarge

Photo: Columbia Pictures, A24

Materialists, Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal

Click to Enlarge

Photo: Columbia Pictures, A24

She elaborated on her thoughts by questioning why some people think it's not a happy ending, when it was true love that took over Lucy's decision. "I'm very concerned and very disturbed by what that [Broke Man Propaganda] implies about where feminism is or where women are. Poverty is not the fault of the poor," she furthered.

Celine shares how disturbing it is for her that people do not consider John the right choice to make for Lucy. In her words, she expressed, "If someone's telling you that the reason why John is broke is his fault, I promise you that is propaganda from the wealthy. [...] The truth is, most of the world doesn't have enough money."

Celine added, "So, why is it that you're being absolutely brutal to somebody who doesn't have money, but is brave enough to walk up to somebody like Lucy—who he knows is a smart woman—and to say like, 'Hey, I'm going to give you everything I have.'"

Dakota Johnson's Take On Her Character Lucy's Decision

After speaking with Celine, we realized that somewhere along the way, some people might've missed the point of Materialists. And honestly, we get it. With the way the ending played out, disagreements were inevitable—especially given today's economic climate. (As one TikToker quipped, "Lucy chose John? In this economy?!" LOL.)

Because let's be real: who would willingly get back with an ex you broke up with over money—especially in a world where everything revolves around income, stability, and survival? But Lucy did.

And for that, she's been criticized for not picking the so-called "10/10 unicorn guy"—the charming, successful, Pedro Pascal-type. She could've had the dream life, but instead, she chose to marry the man who proposed with a daisy instead of a diamond.

Enter Dakota, who breaks it all down. The actress unpacks what actually mattered to Lucy when it came time to decide—and it wasn't about perfection, status, or money. It was about choosing for herself, as a woman navigating life on her own terms.

Click to Enlarge

Photo: Columbia Pictures, A24

"I think Lucy exists so hardcore in a world where people define themselves and their potential love interests by their material assets," she says in a clip from Columbia Pictures.

"At a certain point, she needs to look at what she wants for herself in life. And sort of weighing the option of: Is it a life that I feel physically comfortable in, or is it a life that I feel emotionally and soulfully seen? Do I have the life that I [would] love my life to look like? Or do I have a life where I feel genuinely loved?" she explains.

Setting aside the socio-economic gap between John and Harry, Materialists made one thing clear: Lucy felt more seen, more grounded, and more at peace when she was with John. When she hit a major setback in her career, the first person she turned to wasn't Harry—it was John. And John listened.

Dakota's own words drive the point home: Lucy didn't just choose comfort or status—she chose a life where she felt truly loved, supported, and understood. It wasn't about rich vs. poor. It was about choosing what felt right.

'Materialists' Is Wonderfully Frustrating

The film doesn't push the idea of dating someone regardless of income, status, or whether they’re flat-out broke. Instead, it explores how every person has their own standards, preferences, and non-negotiables—and that’s completely valid. Materialists isn't an attack on the poor; it's a reminder of the power in knowing what you want and standing by it.

There's more to uncover in the story, but at its core, it's not just about choosing between rich or broke, comfort or romance. It's about a woman making a choice that reflects her desires, values, and boundaries—and doing so without guilt.

Materialists, Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans

Click to Enlarge

Photo: Columbia Pictures, A24

If you ever find yourself being a Lucy—or simply forging your own path—remember this: you have full agency over your choices. Your career. Your relationships. Your future.

Choosing someone like Harry doesn’t make you a "golddigger"; it means you're choosing a life that aligns with your values and desires. And choosing someone like John means embracing a kind of love you're willing to build from the ground up. At the end of the day, external factors are exactly that—external. What matters is knowing what you want, and what you're willing to live with.

Materialists isn't just a rom-com—it’s a reflection of modern dating, especially for those who don't always have the luxury of choosing love freely. It speaks to those of us still figuring out how love is supposed to work in a world where money, status, and survival often dictate our options. The film doesn't offer easy answers. Instead, it makes us face uncomfortable truths, wrapped in wit, charm, and just enough chaos to make the ending brilliantly, maddeningly real.

Materialists is now showing in Philippine cinemas.

Mimiyuuuh's Explanation Of Her 'Never Date Someone Na Walang Pera' Advice Is A Lesson In Self-Worth

She's got a point, TBH.

Kate runs on caffeine and K-drama cliffhangers. She also thrives on plot twists—on screen, on the page, and, of course, in the group chat.