Real-Life Matchmaker Criticizes Dakota Johnson’s Character in ‘Materialists’

The film Materialists, featuring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, has garnered praise from audiences, but a real-life matchmaker has taken issue with how the industry is portrayed claiming that if Dakota’s character, Lucy, were a real matchmaker, she would have been fired long ago.

Lucy, a 35-year-old matchmaker for Manhattan’s wealthy elite, becomes skeptical about love in her own life. The story revolves around a love triangle and questions whether it’s possible to find someone who checks all the boxes while still yearning for a genuine connection.

However, Maria Avgitidis, a seasoned fourth-generation matchmaker from New York, voiced her strong disapproval. “I don’t see myself in this,” she told People. “I was warning some matchmakers: ‘I know you’re about to do a whole movie screening for this. Tread carefully.’ I don’t know what else to tell you.”

She criticized the film’s unrealistic depiction of matchmaking services, pointing out that many scenes like the wedding connections and the café meeting don’t reflect how the industry actually operates.

While some aspects of the film, such as clients waiting years to find “the one,” are somewhat relatable, Avgitidis emphasized that the industry’s real dynamics are far more nuanced and professional than depicted.