Character Relationship Map: Materialists

Characters

• Lucy (played by Dakota Johnson) — protagonist

  Lucy is a former actress who works as a successful matchmaker at Adore in New York City. She manages clients while questioning her own romantic prospects, becomes involved with Harry, and reconnects w...

• John (played by Chris Evans) — protagonist

  John is Lucy's former boyfriend, an aspiring actor who works as a cater-waiter while pursuing theater. He and Lucy separated over differing financial expectations, but he still loves her. After helpin...

• Harry (played by Pedro Pascal) — supporting

  Harry is the groom's brother and a financier who meets Lucy at a wedding after hearing her matchmaking pitch. He persistently courts her through upscale dates, and they begin a relationship. Lucy late...

• Sophie (played by Zoë Winters) — supporting

  Sophie is Lucy's long-term client, struggling to lower her standards and settle after repeated romantic disappointment. Lucy matches her with Mark P., but he assaults Sophie after their date, leading...

• Violet (played by Marin Ireland) — supporting

  Violet is Lucy's boss at Adore. After learning that Sophie is suing the company because of Mark P.'s assault, she tells Lucy that the matter was beyond her control, orders her to take four weeks off,...

• Harry's Father (played by Emiliano Díez) — minor

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Harry's Father → Harry (father)
• Sophie → Violet (Professional Client Under Management) — Violet remains involved in managing Sophie's relationship with Adore.

  Violet discusses Sophie's lawsuit with Lucy and later reports that Sophie begins dating another Adore match.

• Violet → Lucy (Power Boss) — Violet exercises direct authority over Lucy's work and conduct.

  Violet informs Lucy about the lawsuit, orders her to take four weeks off, and instructs her not to contact Sophie.

• Lucy → Sophie (Professional Matchmaker And Client) — Their professional relationship forms one of the film's central ethical conflicts.

  Sophie is Lucy's long-term client, and Lucy works to arrange suitable dates for her.

• Lucy → Harry (Romantic Partners) — Harry becomes Lucy's new romantic partner before their eventual breakup.

  Harry courts Lucy, takes her to upscale restaurants, and their relationship becomes official.

• Lucy → John (Romantic Former Lovers) — Their past romance remains emotionally unresolved throughout the story.

  Lucy and John previously dated, but their relationship ended because they had different financial aspirations.

Story Analysis

A matchmaker learns to distinguish genuine love from socially desirable compatibility and material expectations.

Plot Progression

1. Weddings And Second Chances — Lucy manages matchmaking in New York while questioning her own romantic prospects. Her work brings her into contact with Harry and her former boyfriend John.
2. The Promise Of Compatibility — Harry courts Lucy and their relationship becomes official. Lucy's renewed optimism briefly improves her professional outlook and gives Sophie hope.
3. The Cost Of Matching — Sophie’s assault and lawsuit shatter Lucy’s confidence in her matchmaking work. Lucy violates Violet’s instruction to apologize, but Sophie initially rejects her.
4. Boxes Without Love — Lucy discovers Harry’s engagement ring and cosmetic surgery, prompting her to question the foundation of their relationship. She and Harry end things amicably.
5. Choosing What Matters — Lucy reconnects with John and confronts the financial values that once divided them. When Sophie needs help, Lucy and John act together before John proposes in Central Park.