And not just because of Pedro Pescal

Think of the makeover scenes from The Princess Diaries, The Breakfast Club, The Devil Wears Prada, Miss Congeniality, the list goes on.

From our teenage years, the leading ladies on screen have often had to change to be loved, but Celine Song is healing that narrative in her new movie Materialists.

We have needed a movie like Materialists on the big screen for some time, and it's undoubtedly one of the most healing films I've watched in the pictures. We've been longing for romantic dramas and comedies to return to where they belong, and not just on streaming services. We want to see women's stories told on the big screen, but light ones too, about dating and love and what it really feels like to be a woman in 2025.

The film follows a young, ambitious New York City matchmaker who finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex. What seems like a typical love triangle is so much more, thanks to Celine Song's hopelessly romantic and moving script, and her deep understanding of modern love.

And sure, our life clearly doesn't mirror Lucy's (Dakota Johnson) in Materialists. I think we'd all admit our Dublin love interests don't look anything like Pedro Pascal or Chris Evans, but Materialists perfectly captures what it feels like to be a single woman in 2025.

Millennial women will see themselves in this story, especially those who are seeing friends get engaged, married, and pregnant, and can often feel a little left behind when it comes to those 'milestones' many of us are told to hit before a certain age.

We scroll through Hinge and go on dates, but it doesn't feel like the love stories we see on screen. There's no hope in ever finding someone like Harry (Pedro Pascal) or John (Chris Evans) on there, but Materialists reminded us that all is not lost.

As someone who had completely given up on falling in love again, I felt hopeful when I left the cinema. In 117 minutes, Celine Song perfectly captures the complexities of modern dating and the messiness that is falling in love.

Song also held up a mirror to those of us who are guilty of stopping ourselves from falling in love.

Materialists made me believe in love again

As frustrating as it can feel and as hopeless as it may be, Celine Song reminds viewers that love is out there. It may not be exactly what you pictured in your mind or what the rom-coms you grew up with tricked you into thinking was what you desired, but it still exists.

You see it in your friend who married the guy she met on Tinder, or the one who moved in with the guy she took a chance on. You see it in your friend who is recently engaged and the one who just celebrated yet another anniversary with the love of his life.

Materialists strips back the frills and gimmicks of the rom-coms we fell in love with, and reminds us what our heart truly desires (not just Pedro Pascal in a tux).

Celine Song has perfectly captured the struggles and the difficulties of modern dating and the pressure of finding the one. The movie will resonate with those struggling in their marriage, and those who can only ever dream of settling down, but what's so beautiful about it is that you leave the cinema with hope.

Celine Song doesn't disguise love as something that's easy and beautiful, but shows it in its true, messy glory.

"When I look at you, I see wrinkles, grey hair, and children that look like you."

Materialists is out in cinemas on August 13th.