The Materialists: A Movie Review from a Male Matchmaker’s Perspective
As someone who previously worked in the luxury matchmaking industry before starting my own company to make matchmaking more accessible, I approached The Materialists with equal parts curiosity and skepticism. Hollywood rarely gets our profession right, often romanticizing or sensationalizing what is actually a deeply complex and emotionally demanding job. Having experienced firsthand both the high-pressure luxury market and the alternative approach I now practice, I’m pleased to report that director-writer Celine Song’s A24 film largely succeeds in depicting the genuine trials and tribulations of working in high-end matchmaking.
Authentic Portrayal of the Industry
Dakota Johnson delivers a remarkably authentic performance as a luxury matchmaker navigating the brutal NYC dating scene. Her portrayal captures the exhausting reality of our work with the constant emotional labor, the impossible client expectations, and the weight of responsibility we feel for other people’s happiness. The film doesn’t shy away from showing matchmaker burnout, something that’s painfully real in our industry but rarely discussed publicly.
The movie excels in its depiction of the actual mechanics of matchmaking: the meticulous interview process, the delicate dance of gathering post-date feedback, and the surprisingly modest salaries many of us earn despite working with wealthy clientele. These details ring true and show the filmmakers did their homework.
However, the film also inadvertently highlights why I left the luxury space to create something more accessible. The culture of astronomical fees and pressure to constantly upsell can create an environment where client outcomes become secondary to revenue generation. The movie captures the genuine care matchmakers have for their clients despite how the business model itself can sometimes work against creating authentic, lasting connections and ends up hindering the matchmaker/client relationship.
The Problem with Checklists
Where The Materialists truly shines is in addressing the epidemic of “checklist dating” that plagues modern romance, particularly in cities like New York. The film brilliantly explores how singles attempt to “do the math” on compatibility, reducing the mystery and magic of love to a series of boxes to check off. This phenomenon is especially pronounced in the luxury market, where clients often feel their high fees entitle them to impossibly specific requirements and perfect outcomes.
Having worked with both high-paying luxury clients and people seeking more affordable matchmaking options, I’ve found that financial investment doesn’t necessarily correlate with emotional readiness or realistic expectations. Sometimes the most successful matches come from clients who are genuinely open to connection rather than those treating the process like a high-end shopping experience.
Complex Characters, Real Struggles
Pedro Pascal brings incredible depth to his character, creating someone who feels genuinely three-dimensional rather than a typical romantic lead. What struck me most was how his character actually respects the matchmaker’s profession which is something that’s unfortunately rare in real life. Many people dismiss matchmaking as frivolous or unnecessary, so seeing that respect portrayed on screen was refreshing.
Chris Evans represents a demographic I encounter frequently: men in their late 30s who may not have achieved traditional markers of success but still have enormous capacity for love and partnership. His character challenges the notion that financial achievement should be the primary measure of a man’s worth in dating, which is a conversation our society desperately needs to have.
Minor Criticisms
While the movie does an excellent job capturing the emotional toll and self-doubt that matchmakers experience, my issue lies with how Chris Evans’ character perceives the profession. Despite being there to provide emotional support, his character doesn’t really grasp how stressful the job actually is. This disconnect feels unrealistic. In my experience, partners of matchmakers either become deeply aware of the profession’s demands or struggle significantly with the constant emotional burden we carry home.
The film shows the matchmaker’s stress and burnout authentically, but Evans’ character’s somewhat casual attitude toward the intensity of the work doesn’t ring true. Most people close to matchmakers quickly realize that we’re not just “introducing people” but we’re managing complex emotional situations, absorbing our clients’ disappointments, and carrying the weight of their romantic hopes and fears.
The Deep Bond with Clients
What the film gets absolutely right is the profound connection matchmakers develop with their clients. We become confidants, therapists, coaches, and cheerleaders all rolled into one. The responsibility we feel for our clients’ happiness can be overwhelming, but it’s also what makes this work meaningful. The movie captures this relationship beautifully, showing both the rewards and the burden of caring so deeply about strangers’ love lives.
Final Thoughts
The Materialists is a rare film that treats both matchmaking and modern dating with the complexity they deserve. It avoids easy answers while exploring the very real challenges facing singles in major cities. For those of us who have worked in this industry, whether in luxury settings or more accessible formats, it’s validating to see our profession portrayed with such authenticity and respect.
The film serves as both entertainment and a mirror for anyone struggling with modern dating culture. It’s also an unintentional commentary on how the commodification of love can sometimes hinder rather than help genuine connection. My hope is that viewers will see that meaningful matchmaking doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag it’s about the quality of care, not the cost of service.
Rating: 4/5 stars
The Materialists is a thoughtful, well-crafted film that deserves recognition for its honest portrayal of an often misunderstood profession and the modern dating landscape. It’s particularly valuable for showing how the industry’s focus on high-end clients can sometimes overshadow the fundamental human need for authentic connection that transcends economic status.
Nick Rosen is a professional matchmaker and founder of Met By Nick matchmaking, offering accessible matchmaking services that prioritize genuine connection over luxury pricing. His experience in both traditional high-end matchmaking and his current client-focused approach provides unique insight into the industry portrayed in The Materialists. Learn more about Nick at metbynick.com
