The R-Rated Truth: 7 Shocking Reasons Why Celine Song's 'Materialists' Earned Its Strict MPAA Rating
The highly anticipated romantic comedy-drama, Materialists, directed by the acclaimed Celine Song of Past Lives fame, has been officially classified with an R-rating by the Motion Picture Association (MPAA) for its theatrical release on June 13, 2025. This classification immediately signals that the film is intended for a mature audience, and parents are strongly cautioned against allowing children under 17 to view it without an accompanying adult. The specific content descriptors provided by the MPAA are straightforward yet potent: "language and brief sexual material." This article, updated for late 2025, dives deep into the specific elements within the A24 production that necessitated this strict rating, exploring how the film's gritty, authentic portrayal of modern dating and relationships in New York City pushes the boundaries of a typical romantic comedy.
The R-rating for Materialists is a clear indication that director Celine Song, known for her nuanced and emotionally complex storytelling, is not shying away from the raw, unfiltered dialogue and situations that define the lives of her characters. With a star-studded cast including Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, the film promises a sharp, adult-oriented look at love and money, where the language is as colorful as the characters’ complicated love triangles.
The Star-Powered Cast and Creative Team Behind Materialists (2025)
Before dissecting the rating, it is crucial to establish the pedigree of the film, which features some of the biggest names in Hollywood, ensuring massive public interest and a detailed scrutiny of its classification.
- Director & Writer: Celine Song. Her previous work, the Oscar-nominated Past Lives, established her as a master of subtle, profound emotional drama, making her pivot to a sharper, R-rated romantic comedy a major talking point.
- Dakota Johnson (The Matchmaker): Known for roles in *Fifty Shades of Grey* and *Madame Web*, Johnson plays the film's protagonist—a high-end matchmaker in New York City.
- Chris Evans (The Ex-Boyfriend): Famous for his iconic role as Captain America in *The Avengers* and other Marvel Cinematic Universe films, Evans takes on a complex, post-superhero role.
- Pedro Pascal (The New Client): A global superstar from *The Last of Us* and *The Mandalorian*, Pascal completes the central love triangle, playing one of the wealthy clients.
- Zoe Winters: A key supporting player, known for her work on the series *Succession*.
- Distributor: A24 (United States) and Sony Pictures Releasing International.
- Genre: Romantic Comedy-Drama.
- Run Time: Approximately 109 minutes.
- Theatrical Release Date: June 13, 2025.
Unpacking the Core R-Rating Descriptors: Language and Sexual Material
The Motion Picture Association's rating system is highly specific. When a film receives an R-rating, it is due to content that includes adult activity, harsh language, intense violence, or graphic nudity. For Materialists, the focus is clearly on the first two, with the official descriptors being "language and brief sexual material."
1. The Prevalence of Strong Language and Profanity
The primary driver for the R-rating is the sheer volume and intensity of the dialogue. The term "language" in an MPAA context almost universally refers to profanity. For Materialists, parent guides have indicated a significant presence of strong language, moving it beyond a PG-13 classification.
- The 'F-Word' Count: Reports from content reviewers, such as Movieguide, suggest the film contains a high count of obscenities. Specifically, the film is noted for having approximately 16 uses of the "f-word," a common benchmark that pushes a film into R-territory.
- Contextual Use: Unlike a gratuitous action film, the profanity in a character-driven drama like this is often used to establish realism, express intense frustration, or convey the casual, unfiltered speech common in high-stakes adult relationships and professional settings, particularly in the New York City backdrop.
- Other Profanities: Beyond the most severe curse words, the film includes other forms of profanity, such as one "GD" profanity and other milder expletives, contributing to the overall "strong language" descriptor.
2. The Nature of "Brief Sexual Material"
The second, and often more sensitive, descriptor is "brief sexual material." This is the element that typically raises the most questions for audiences and parental guidance groups, as it covers a wide spectrum of content from implied situations to explicit scenes.
- Not Graphic Nudity: The term "brief sexual material" is distinct from "strong sexual content" or "graphic nudity." It implies that while sexual situations or imagery are present, they are not prolonged, overly explicit, or central to the film's runtime.
- Implied vs. Overt: This material likely includes scenes of characters in sexually suggestive situations, possibly brief glimpses of sexual activity (without explicit focus), or strong, adult-themed dialogue about sex and relationships. Given the film's focus on a matchmaker and the complexities of adult dating, conversations about sexual compatibility and intimacy are a natural part of the plot.
- Context of the Plot: As the plot revolves around the romantic entanglements of Dakota Johnson's matchmaker character with her ex-boyfriend (Chris Evans) and a new client (Pedro Pascal), the "sexual material" is intrinsic to the story's exploration of modern, transactional love.
Why the R-Rating is Crucial for Topical Authority and Realism
For a film that aims to be a sharp, adult-oriented look at the "materialist" nature of modern romance—where money, status, and emotional entanglement collide—the R-rating is less a restriction and more a necessary artistic freedom. Celine Song's directorial vision requires the latitude to portray her characters' lives with uncompromising realism.
3. Authenticity in Dialogue and Character
The use of strong language is a tool for character development. In the world of high-stakes New York dating, involving wealthy, powerful, and emotionally volatile individuals, a sanitized, PG-13 dialogue would feel inauthentic. The R-rating allows the actors—Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal—to deliver dialogue that reflects the raw, sometimes crude, way people talk during moments of passion, conflict, and emotional breakdown.
4. Exploring Mature Themes Unfiltered
The title itself, *Materialists*, suggests a critique of or a deep dive into the transactional side of love. Themes such as emotional manipulation, the intersection of wealth and intimacy, and the harsh realities of breaking up and moving on are inherently mature. The R-rating ensures that the film can address these complex issues—including the "brief sexual material"—without the need for euphemisms or cutting away from pivotal, adult moments.
5. Following the A24 Trend
A24, the film's US distributor, is well-known for backing artist-driven projects that often push boundaries and earn R-ratings for their artistic integrity. Films like *Uncut Gems*, *Midsommar*, and even Song's own *Past Lives* (which was PG-13 but dealt with profound adult themes) are part of a catalog that values uncompromised storytelling. The R-rating for *Materialists* aligns perfectly with A24’s brand of challenging, high-quality cinema.
6. The Difference from a Standard Rom-Com
While the film is a romantic comedy-drama, its R-rating immediately distinguishes it from the lighter, more family-friendly fare. This classification is a promise to the audience that *Materialists* is a sophisticated, adult story in the vein of other acclaimed R-rated modern relationship dramas, suggesting a narrative depth that goes far beyond typical genre conventions.
7. Parental Guidance is Essential
Ultimately, the R-rating serves as the ultimate content warning for parental guidance. It clearly communicates that the film contains elements—specifically the frequency of strong language and the inclusion of sexual content—that make it unsuitable for younger viewers. For adults, however, the R-rating is a green light, signaling an uncensored, compelling, and realistic look at modern love from one of the industry's most exciting new directors.
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