Dakota Johnson and Celine Song Discuss Love in ‘Materialists’

NEW YORK, NY — Dakota Johnson and Celine Song are sharing insights about love and relationships in their upcoming film, “Materialists.” The film highlights the complex emotions involved in modern dating and showcases Johnson as a matchmaker caught between two love interests.

Song, who transitioned from a playwright to an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, said her experience working as a professional matchmaker taught her more about people’s desires than she ever expected. “I always wanted to write something about it because there seemed to be a story in it that is massive and very epic in proportion,” she stated.

During discussions about the film, Song emphasized that “Materialists” is less about a love triangle and more about the emotional journeys of its characters. She explained how the film intersected with the realities of the dating marketplace. “It was never going to be a conversation about which flavor of a person,” she said. “It’s actually so much more about this marketplace of dating that all of us live in if you’re single.”

Johnson, who had a strong desire to work with Song, approached her before the film began production. “I was basically told it was too late, but I really wanted to meet her because she’s so smart,” Johnson recalled. Their initial conversation led to a creative bond that would ultimately produce the new film.

In the film, Johnson’s character, Lucy, is depicted as highly successful but emotionally disconnected, navigating a world of matchmaking while exploring her own needs and desires. Johnson described Lucy as someone focused on perfectionism, contrasting her dedication to helping others find love with her struggle to understand her own heart.

As their conversations about the film unfolded, both Song and Johnson expressed their views on the perception of love in today’s digital age. They highlighted the shift in how people view relationships, noting that modern expectations often conflated love with materialism, as both characters grapple with defined values placed on relationships.

As they prepare for the film’s release on June 13, the duo looks forward to launching a narrative that examines not just the potential of love, but also the self-discovery that comes with navigating complex emotional landscapes.