In the wake of Dakota Johnson’s new film Materialists, the real-life New York City matchmaker scene is buzzing. The movie, released in June 2025, centers on a Manhattan matchmaker who navigates love, wealth, and cynicism among the city’s elite. But how does the portrayal stack up against reality? Maria Avgitidis, a fourth-generation professional matchmaker and author of Ask a Matchmaker, recently weighed in with a candid critique: “I’ve fired employees for less.” Her insights give audiences a rare glimpse into the authentic world of NYC matchmaking, revealing both the film’s accuracies and its dramatic exaggerations.
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What Is Materialists About?
Dakota Johnson stars as Lucy, a successful Manhattan matchmaker to the wealthy, whose cynicism about love and marriage seeps into her personal life. The film, written and directed by Oscar-nominated Celine Song, explores modern dating through a capitalist lens—characters evaluate potential partners as if they’re trading stocks, and marriage compatibility is reduced to an equation. The story follows Lucy as she juggles a love triangle involving Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, but the real focus is on the emotional complexities of matchmaking in a society obsessed with status and material success.
The title Materialists is more than a clever play on words. It reflects the film’s central question: Can true love survive in a world where people are valued by their marketability?
Real-Life NYC Matchmaker Responds
Maria Avgitidis, founder of boutique matchmaking service Agape, watched Materialists with keen professional interest. She immediately noticed the gap between Hollywood’s vision and her own experiences. “I don’t see myself in this,” she said, warning fellow matchmakers to tread carefully before hosting movie screenings for clients. While Avgitidis acknowledges the film’s moments of truth—particularly how dating can become a commodified experience—she insists that real matchmakers are more passionate about love than about numbers.
Avgitidis, who has facilitated thousands of marriages in her 17-year career, takes on only about 15 clients at a time. She describes her typical clientele as busy New Yorkers—entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals—who simply don’t have time to navigate dating apps. “They’re the kind of people who would hire a personal trainer or chef, so why not a matchmaker?” she explains.
How Accurate Is the Portrayal of Matchmaking?
The film suggests that matchmakers are fixated on numbers and compatibility algorithms, but Avgitidis disagrees. “Almost all matchmakers I’ve ever met really do believe in love,” she says. In one memorable scene, Lucy delivers a cynical monologue about marriage at a client’s wedding, predicting divorce within two years. Avgitidis’s reaction? “You’re in the wrong industry, babe. Go become a life coach.”
She also addresses the film’s depiction of serious issues, such as a client being sexually assaulted on an arranged date. Avgitidis clarifies that while bad behavior does occur, such extreme incidents are rare. In her career, she has only had to fire clients for inappropriate behavior twice, and never for sexual assault. She emphasizes that the industry takes such matters seriously, with regular discussions and protocols in place to protect clients.
The Reality of NYC Matchmaking
Avgitidis’s approach is rooted in empathy and encouragement. “All you can do is cheerlead for them throughout the way,” she says. “You can’t make promises that you’re going to get married. It’s not possible to do that.” She advises anyone considering hiring a matchmaker to ensure their first match is with the matchmaker themselves—chemistry and trust are essential.
Most matchmakers, she notes, have their own niche and methodology. It’s not just about pairing people off the street; it’s about understanding personalities, values, and goals. This personalized approach is a far cry from the transactional, numbers-driven matchmaking depicted in Materialists.
The Film’s Take on Modern Dating
Materialists cleverly taps into contemporary anxieties about love and money. The most desirable singles are labeled “unicorns”—those with wealth, fitness, and youth. Marriage is treated as a mathematical equation, and Lucy’s clients are often driven by a desire for financial stability or social status. This mirrors real-life pressures, especially in a city like New York where success is often measured by material achievements.
One poignant scene features Lucy counseling a bride who feels shame for conforming to traditional marriage expectations. The bride admits that her fiancé’s wealth makes her feel valuable—a sentiment that echoes the film’s broader critique of materialism in relationships.
Real-Life Matchmaking vs. Hollywood
Below is a quick comparison of how Materialists portrays matchmaking versus the reality as described by Maria Avgitidis:
| Aspect | Materialists (Film) | Real-Life NYC Matchmaking (Avgitidis) |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Compatibility algorithms, stats | Personal connection, empathy |
| Client Motivation | Wealth, status, “unicorns” | Busy professionals seeking genuine connection |
| Matchmaker’s Role | Cynical, numbers-driven | Cheerleader, guide, believer in love |
| Handling Bad Behavior | Normalized, shrugged off | Taken seriously, clients held accountable |
| Industry Response | None shown | Trade association, protocols, support |
Why Materialists Resonates
Despite its dramatic liberties, Materialists resonates because it reflects real anxieties about modern dating. The film’s exploration of love in a capitalist society is both timeless and timely. It asks whether it’s possible to find lasting connection when so much weight is placed on material success and marketability.
This theme is especially relevant in New York, where the pressures of career and status can overshadow personal fulfillment. The film’s characters—like many real singles—struggle to reconcile progressive ideals with the pull of traditional norms and financial security.
What Moviegoers Should Know
Avgitidis wants audiences to leave Materialists with a clearer understanding of what real matchmaking is about. “Should you decide you want to hire a matchmaker, just remember that your first match has to be with your matchmaker,” she advises. She encourages people to ask about a matchmaker’s methodology and to find someone whose approach aligns with their values.
Above all, she reminds us that matchmaking is about hope—not guarantees. “All you can do is hope that they have a better dating experience with you than they have had on their own.”
The Future of Matchmaking in NYC
As dating apps continue to dominate, the demand for personalized matchmaking services is growing. Busy professionals, disillusioned by the swipe culture, are turning to experts like Avgitidis for a more meaningful approach to finding love. The industry is evolving, but the core mission remains the same: to help people connect on a deeper level.
Materialists may exaggerate the cynicism and materialism of the industry, but it also highlights the real challenges of modern romance. For those seeking love in the city, the message is clear: authenticity and connection matter most.
Engaging Conclusion
Materialists offers a provocative look at love and money in modern New York, but real-life matchmakers like Maria Avgitidis are quick to separate fact from fiction. While the film’s portrayal of matchmaking is more dramatic than reality, it sparks important conversations about what we value in relationships. For anyone curious about the world of NYC matchmaking, the real story is one of hope, empathy, and genuine connection—not just algorithms and bank balances.
Ready to explore the world of real-life NYC matchmaking? Connect with a professional who believes in love, not just logistics.