The new romantic comedy The Materialists, starring Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, has been winning hearts with its funny and emotional story. The movie follows Lucy, played by Dakota Johnson, a matchmaker for rich clients in New York City who starts questioning love in her own life while getting caught in a love triangle. While audiences are enjoying the film, real-life matchmakers are not entirely happy with how their profession is shown. One expert, Maria Avgitidis, a professional matchmaker from New York, says that if Lucy were a real matchmaker, she would have been fired immediately for her actions in the movie.

Maria Avgitidis, who comes from a family of matchmakers and has been in the business for years, shared her thoughts on the film. She explained that many scenes in The Materialists do not reflect how real matchmaking works. For example, in the movie, Lucy meets clients in public places like cafes, which Maria says rarely happens in the real matchmaking world. She also pointed out that Lucy’s behavior, like stalking potential matches, would not be acceptable in a professional setting. "I don't see myself in this," Maria said, talking about how different the movie’s version of matchmaking is from reality. She even warned other matchmakers before watching the film, saying, "I was trying to warn some matchmakers: 'I know you're about to throw a whole movie screening for this. Tread carefully.' I don't know what else to tell you."

The movie’s writer and director, Celine Song, has defended the film by saying it was inspired by her own experiences working at a matchmaking company. She wanted to tell a story about love and modern relationships, even if some parts were exaggerated for entertainment. However, Maria and other experts believe that films like The Materialists can give people the wrong idea about how matchmaking really works. In reality, matchmaking is a serious business where professionals carefully select matches based on deep conversations, personality tests, and personal preferences—not dramatic encounters in coffee shops.

Another issue Maria raised was how the movie shows wealthy clients desperately searching for love. She agreed that some people do wait a long time to find the right partner, but the way it was shown in the film was only half-true. Real matchmakers deal with all kinds of clients, not just the super-rich, and the process is much more private and professional than what was shown in the movie.

Despite the criticism, The Materialists has been a hit with audiences who enjoy its mix of romance and humor. Fans love the chemistry between Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, and the film’s take on modern dating struggles. But the debate about how accurately it portrays matchmaking continues. Some viewers might not care about the real-life details as long as the story is entertaining, but for professionals like Maria, it’s important for movies to show their industry correctly.

This isn’t the first time a movie has faced criticism for unrealistic portrayals of real jobs. Many films take creative liberties to make stories more exciting, even if it means bending the truth. However, when it comes to professions like matchmaking, where trust and professionalism are key, experts feel that movies should try to be more accurate. After all, people often get their ideas about different careers from what they see in films and TV shows.

Maria’s comments have sparked discussions online, with some people agreeing that Hollywood should do better when showing real professions, while others argue that movies are meant for fun, not education. Either way, The Materialists has succeeded in getting people talking—both about love and about how matchmaking really works. Whether you watch it for the romance or the drama, one thing is clear: real-life matchmaking is very different from what you see on screen.

As for Dakota Johnson’s character, Lucy, Maria’s final verdict is clear—if she were a real matchmaker, her actions would have gotten her fired and possibly even sued. But since it’s just a movie, audiences can enjoy the story without worrying about real-world consequences. The debate between entertainment and realism will always exist, but one thing is certain: The Materialists has made an impact, whether matchmakers approve or not.

In the end, movies like this remind us that while love can be complicated, the way people find it in real life is often much more structured and professional than what we see in films. So if you’re looking for a fun romantic comedy, The Materialists might be perfect for you—but if you’re looking for dating advice, maybe talk to a real matchmaker instead.