The Materialists is a surprisingly sharp, stylish, and enjoyable film — a modern romantic comedy that actually remembers to be both romantic and comedic. Chris Evans turns in one of his most charismatic performances in years, carrying scenes with effortless charm and emotional clarity. The supporting cast brings real texture, timing, and personality, giving the movie a lively rhythm that keeps it consistently engaging.
But the film has one undeniable weak link: Dakota Johnson. Her performance feels so muted and detached that it clashes with the energy the rest of the cast is generating. She delivers every line in the same soft, half-awake register she brings to all her roles, and the contrast becomes especially stark when she’s playing opposite Evans, who’s doing some genuinely great work here. Several scenes lose momentum simply because her emotional range never matches the tone or pacing of what’s happening around her.
The frustrating part is that The Materialists is genuinely good — it’s witty, well-shot, and confidently directed. With a different lead actress, it could easily have been great. As it stands, Dakota Johnson’s flat, monotone delivery keeps pulling the movie back just when it’s about to hit its stride. Still, the film is well worth watching; you just have to accept that one performance is doing a lot less heavy lifting than everyone else.
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