Summary:
- In Materialists, Lucy ultimately marries John, choosing love over security.
- Harry’s transformation and heartbreak highlight the theme of self-worth.
- The caveman wedding and Sofia’s subplot reinforce the film’s emotional message.
Materialists, directed by Celine Song, presents a complex modern love triangle between Lucy, Harry, and John. Set in New York City, the film dissects the tension between romantic idealism and material security. Through Lucy’s journey as a professional matchmaker, Materialists explores what truly defines a meaningful relationship. The film’s ending provides a powerful statement on choosing love over perfection.
Who Does Lucy Choose in Materialists?
The heart of Materialists lies in Lucy’s decision between her polished relationship with Harry and the unresolved connection she shares with her ex-boyfriend John. Harry is successful, considerate, and everything Lucy’s professional instincts tell her is ideal. Yet, despite their compatibility, Lucy finds herself emotionally detached from him.
John, in contrast, is a struggling actor who once left Lucy due to financial instability. Their relationship was previously strained by Lucy’s fear of uncertainty. However, after witnessing a traumatic incident involving one of her clients, Lucy begins to understand that love cannot be reduced to a checklist.
John’s heartfelt confession and symbolic proposal at a wedding—offering Lucy a flower ring reminiscent of the film’s opening scene—marks the culmination of this realization. By marrying John, Lucy embraces imperfection and chooses a partner who reflects her emotional truth rather than societal expectations.
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What Happens to Harry at the End of Materialists?
Although Lucy ends things with Harry, his story concludes on a hopeful note. Initially devastated, Harry admits he feared he would never experience true love. The film reveals that Harry had undergone leg-lengthening surgery to boost his self-confidence—a painful and expensive transformation that shaped how others perceived him.
After the breakup, Lucy arranges for Harry to meet another matchmaker. In a later phone call, it’s revealed that Harry is seeing someone new, an art world professional. While viewers don’t see this relationship unfold, it suggests Harry is on a path toward genuine happiness and self-acceptance.
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Why Did Harry Get Surgery in Materialists?
Harry’s decision to undergo cosmetic height surgery before the events of the film underscores the movie’s themes of perception and self-worth. Though already attractive and wealthy, Harry believed that being taller would elevate his social and romantic success. He explains that this change gave him a newfound confidence, allowing him to excel not only in love but in business and daily interactions.
This elective transformation, while not malicious, mirrors the transactional nature of many of Lucy’s matchmaking dealings. Harry’s desire to appear flawless resonates with the film’s critique of superficial ideals and highlights how people often hide insecurities behind curated identities.
Sofia, one of Lucy’s clients, becomes central to the emotional stakes of the film. A successful lawyer struggling to find a partner, Sofia is assaulted on a date arranged through Lucy’s service. The incident shocks Lucy and forces her to reconsider the implications of viewing matchmaking as purely transactional.
Sofia and Lucy’s relationship fractures but ultimately mends after Lucy rushes back to support her during a crisis. Their reconciliation reflects the film’s deeper message: meaningful relationships are rooted in empathy and mutual care. By the end of Materialists, Sofia is hinted to be on a better path, paralleling Lucy’s own emotional growth.
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How Does the Caveman Wedding Frame the Ending of Materialists?
The film opens and closes with scenes featuring a caveman and cavewoman in a symbolic wedding. Initially, these scenes suggest that relationships, from prehistoric times to the present, have always had transactional elements. However, the emotional connection displayed by the couple challenges this notion.
In Lucy’s final monologue, she explains that these scenes are part of a dream about the “first marriage.” The closing image of the caveman giving a flower ring—echoed by John’s proposal—underscores the idea that love, not material exchange, is the foundation of lasting relationships.
What Is the Message Behind Materialists‘ Ending?
Materialists argues that love, not luxury or compatibility on paper, is the cornerstone of a lasting relationship. Lucy’s journey from a methodical matchmaker to someone who embraces emotional uncertainty embodies this belief. Despite the allure of stability with Harry, Lucy follows her heart and marries John, choosing vulnerability over perfection.
The film also critiques how society commodifies relationships. From Harry’s surgery to Lucy’s matchmaking business, the pressure to meet superficial standards is a recurring theme. Yet, through love, forgiveness, and honest connection, the characters begin to break free from these constructs.
Ultimately, Materialists ends on a hopeful note—championing emotional truth over external validation.
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