Celine Song enlists big names and a larger budget for her second feature after the Earth-shattering Past Lives, but this feels like a Celine Song movie first and never compromises for a more mainstream rom-com approach. In fact, despite some great humorous moments and consistent wit from its characters, the movie hardly feels like a comedy, rather a deep and patient romantic drama. Dakota Johnson finds herself in another hard-hitting role among some of her best like Cha Cha Real Smooth and The Peanut Butter Falcon. Her journey is flawed yet always sympathetic. Chris Evans also gives one of his most heartfelt turns in a long time, with the part of John here fitting him like a glove. Pedro Pascal also has some irresistible scenes with Johnson and the dialogue Song gives him to work with really stands out.

The film dissects how modern superficial worldviews complicate the once-simple idea of love and relationships, while romance and love can sometimes not be more different. Song is an expert at rhythmic and sophisticated dialogue, and builds a quiet and meditative atmosphere with a lovely 35mm film look and Daniel Pemberton’s strong score. There may be more than a few films that tackle similar ideas of love and, well, materialism, but it’s only through Song’s words and style that Materialists works so intimately and profoundly.