Dakota Johnson recently shared the screen with fellow Marvel stars Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal in a complex love story, Materialists. The movie follows a successful New York City matchmaker who finds herself caught in a love triangle, torn between a wealthy financier, Harry Castillo, and her ex, John.
Directed by Celine Song, the film comes from A24, which recently released a viewing syllabus revealing that Materialists draws inspiration from several classic romantic films, including Keira Knightley’s Pride & Prejudice.
Materialist draws inspiration from classic romantic cinema
Following the emotional resonance of Past Lives, director Celine Song returns with Materialists, a romantic drama which also promises to be a love story intricately woven with the threads of romance and the complexities that surround it.
The film has successfully struck a chord with audiences and critics alike, earning mostly positive reviews. Many have praised the undeniable and effortless chemistry among the cast.
A24 recently revealed a “syllabus” of films that inspired the romantic drama, highlighting a range of American and British classics, including Pride & Prejudice and A Room with a View, along with the acclaimed Taiwanese romantic drama Yi Yi.
Materialists movie syllabus via Celine https://t.co/IdY1RaV6ny pic.twitter.com/yUV11sTFgf
— A24 (@A24) June 12, 2025
The curated list offers insight into the cinematic influences that helped shape Materialists, a film that delves into the complexities of modern love through themes such as transactional relationships, emotional vulnerability, and the weight of societal expectations.
These themes are particularly evident in the parallel journeys of Dakota Johnson’s Lucy and Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Bennet, two strong-willed women whose evolving views on love challenge the norms of their respective worlds, revealing unexpected emotional depth and growth.
How Dakota Johnson’s Lucy and Kiera Knightley’s Elizabeth Bennet redefine love on their own terms
Dakota Johnson’s Lucy in Materialists and Keira Knightley’s Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice may exist in vastly different worlds, but their emotional journeys reflect strikingly similar arcs.
Lucy, in Materialists, begins as a confident, career-driven matchmaker. She views relationships through a transactional lens, believing that wealth, status, and compatibility metrics dictate successful love.
Her romantic choices reflect that ideology as she gravitates toward Harry, a rich, polished man who fits her idea of the ‘perfect partner.’ Yet, beneath her curated exterior lies a deep uncertainty.
As she rekindles her connection with John, a scrappy but sincere ex-boyfriend, Lucy begins to see the limitations of her own values. Her emotional transformation comes when she chooses vulnerability over control, realizing that love cannot be engineered.
Similarly, Kiera Knightley’s memorable character Elizabeth Bennet enters Pride & Prejudice with a strong sense of self and a sharp tongue. She is quick to judge, particularly when it comes to the aloof Mr. Darcy, whose wealth and pride offend her sense of integrity.
But as the narrative unfolds, Elizabeth confronts her own prejudices and misjudgments. Her eventual acceptance of Darcy is not just romantic; it is a moment of humility and growth.
Both characters are shaped by their environments, Lucy by capitalism and modern dating, Elizabeth by class and social expectations, but they ultimately rebel against these pressures. They choose love not based on appearance, wealth, or social approval, but on emotional truth and mutual respect.
In essence, Lucy and Elizabeth are spiritual sisters, women of wit and pride who must confront their own illusions to find something real. Their stories remind us that the heart, not the résumé, is the true measure of love.
Materialists is playing in theatres near you.And Pride & Prejudice is available to watch on HBO Max in the USA.
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