‘Materialists’: A Romcom With Shrewd Observations About Love

‘Materialists’ needed the quirky humor, passion, and earnest integrity of ’The Notebook' to sell this somewhat cynical romcom. But it’s still a good watch.

Mark Jackson

Film Critic

6/16/2025|Updated: 6/20/2025

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R | 1h 56m | Rom-Com | 2025

Don’t let A24’s Nora Ephron-esque romcom marketing that makes “Materialists” look like a fairy tale of modern dating in Manhattan fool you. Korean-American filmmaker Celine Song’s second film attempts to be a discerning, perceptive, sharp-witted lament for what love has become in the transactional, commodity-driven age.

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Mark Jackson

Film Critic

Mark Jackson is the senior film critic for The Epoch Times and a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. Mark earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Williams College, followed by classical theater conservatory training, and has 20 years' experience as a New York professional actor. He narrated The Epoch Times audiobook "How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World," available on iTunes, Audible, and YouTube. Mark is featured in the book "How to Be a Film Critic in Five Easy Lessons" by Christopher K. Brooks. In addition to films, he enjoys Harley-Davidsons, rock-climbing, qigong, martial arts, and human rights activism.