Celine Song claps back at criticism that ‘Materialists’ is broke man propaganda
Celine Song, director of Materialists, has addressed criticism labelling her latest feature as “broke man propaganda.”
The phrase has been used by some viewers on platforms like Letterboxd to describe the film’s male lead, played by Chris Evans, as a romanticised “man without money.”
“It doesn’t make me laugh because, in reality, it really disappoints me. I think there’s a very real confusion about feminism and the history of feminism,” Song told Refinery29. She emphasised that feminism, particularly in its intersectional form, has historically been “anti-corporate and anti-capitalist” and part of the fight against classism.
Song stressed that “poverty is not the fault of the poor” and expressed concern about derogatory terms such as “broke man” being applied to her character John, whom she described as “a beautiful character, played beautifully by Chris.”
The director argued that such remarks reflect societal prejudices that blame individuals for financial hardship. “I think that’s a very disturbing result of the way rich people… have instilled in us the idea that if you’re poor, it’s your fault,” she said.
Materialists, starring Dakota Johnson as Lucy, explores how capitalism shapes relationships, framing love and self-worth in economic terms. Song explained that the story aims to challenge the way “capitalism tries to colonise our hearts and colonise love,” encouraging audiences to reflect on their own values.
For Song, the narrative acts as a mirror, confronting viewers with their own assumptions about success, value, and morality.
