9 Best John moments from Materialists 

John arrives at the wedding - John
John arrives at the wedding - John's moment from the Materialists | Image via A24

Chris Evans plays John in this acclaimed new offering. The scenes that John illuminates the screen with are raw, emotional, and very human. Not only does John help Lucy out when in need, but he also becomes the center of the story. In a culture that values material possessions, prestige, and attractiveness, he comes across as someone unaffected.

Every moment with John depicts signs of love, grief, and growth, whether it be through passionate pleas or emotional reunions.

Disclaimer: This article is solely the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.


Here is the list of the 9 Best John moments from Materialists:

9. City Hall marriage license moment

Lucy and John in Materialists | Image via Apple TV
Lucy and John in Materialists | Image via Apple TV

Lucy and John were seen requesting a marriage license at City Hall in the silent end credits sequence of Materialists. A peaceful moment speaks louder than any ostentatious statement or dramatic outburst. The moment is filmed from a distance like a viewer looking in on real life. The scene reveals how Lucy and John have gotten something real and long-lasting. The audience will find resonance in this informal choice due to the scene's grounded and real appearance.

This is tranquility in the aftermath of all the turmoil and choices Lucy has made. It demonstrates cooperation rather than relying solely on romantic fantasies. The message left to the audience is that love does not always have to be loud to amount to anything. This moment serves as a reminder that true love is quiet and sincere.


8. The heartfelt proposal

John and Lucy at Central Park in Materialists | Image via Apple TV
John and Lucy at Central Park in Materialists | Image via Apple TV

John makes an impulsive and honest proposal to Lucy. It was carried out honestly rather than in a showy or stunning fashion. John approaches her in Central Park and express his feelings, how he has changed, and what he wants from her. His language is straightforward yet very emotional.

John's honesty is apparent to the audience. He needs to connect, not impress. The interpretation of the character is much less thrilling because it is hardly about love in a movie with flamboyant characters and glamorous possibilities. Lucy has entered a new phase of her life as she begins to realize what matters.

I was truly captivated by this situation because it reflected the uncertainties and possibilities in regular life; it felt genuine and relatable. The story shows that love isn’t always flawless, but it can still feel perfect in your way.


7. Defending Lucy's client Sophie

Lucy's client Sophie in Materialists | Image via Apple TV
Lucy's client Sophie in Materialists | Image via Apple TV

The caring side of John comes out in Materialists as Lucy receives a frantic call from one of her clients, Sophie, when her date becomes threatening. John does not balk. He swings into action and escorts her to safety. It is a stressful, but loving moment. John's loyalty and silent bravery entice the audience.

A simple act of stirs emotions among the spectators, including relief, admiration, trust, and compassion. Materialists use this scene to show how when you love someone you will always be there for them even if you may not be in the best of terms.


6. Wedding crash & first kiss

Lucy and John kiss each other | Image via Apple TV
Lucy and John kiss each other | Image via Apple TV

Materialists steals the scene with a romantic kiss at an upstate wedding that Lucy and John crash. John and Lucy waltz under warm lights, sharing a passionate kiss filled with electric chemistry from their shared history. The tenderness of the moment draws in the viewers. It is also unpredictable and emotional, nothing like a predetermined romantic love act.

This is a scene that is natural and free in a story that is so full of polished setups. The audience cannot help thinking that this is the heart of the film. That is why we are reminded of the reason they loved each other in the past, because of that kiss. It is a revelation that allows them to reconnect on a more profound level.


5. Impulsive gateway to upstate

Harry, John, and Lucy in Materialists | Image via A24 Films
Harry, John, and Lucy in Materialists | Image via A24 Films

After Lucy breaks off her relationship with Harry, John and Lucy embark on an impromptu road trip in Materialists. They travel north in John's aging sedan, with no intentions or reservations, spending silent hours in the changing light. The take‑away? This escape allows them to shed the high-pressure world.

The audience can see that they converse honestly, laugh, and get back together, while Lucy hardly ever does the same with Harry. Since the critics praised it for being genuine and intimate, the scenery and natural light evoke a sense of nostalgia. We learn to accept the weight of what might have been and the importance of these unplanned hours.

The journey dismantles the façade of a film about wealth and prestige. It appeals to viewers because it is so realistic and only has two characters trying to understand why they fell in love in the first place.


4. The "girl shit" critique

Lucy and John | Image via A24
Lucy and John | Image via A24

In another uncensored scene, John openly brands Lucy's matchmaking company "girl shit" after watching her play. It is a slap in the face. Lucy falls without words.

I found this scene very intriguing because it breaks the shell romance. Although what he says is painful, it provides insight into her life. We have all said things we regret in the heat of emotion, so the honesty and the inches-apart feeling are nothing new to us. No, it's about acknowledgment, not insults.

John pressurizes Lucy to the point that she demands to know whether she is falling in search of something perfect. The organic, and growth-promoting nature of this scene makes it one of the viewers' favorite moments. The shock is what makes the two characters wake up in Materialists.


3. The point of difference with Harry

Lucy and Harry | Image via A24 Films
Lucy and Harry | Image via A24 Films

In "Materialists," Lucy and Harry attend one of John's theater shows. John notices that Lucy is staring off into space, showing that he is still keenly aware of her. This moment of distraction highlights how well he knows her. The viewers sense his silent perception. It's a harmless moment, nothing spectacular. John perceives something Harry does not. This makes the audience empathize with the relationship between John and Lucy.

The moment has attracted a lot of attention since it shows how much John loves Lucy and understands her. It left people in suspense as they wondered how it would work, but then they were cheering them on as emotions swung. The Materialists present us with a delicate, profound moment that cracks through that sheen.


2. Street argument on their 5th anniversary

Chris Evans as John in Materialists | Image via A24
Chris Evans as John in Materialists | Image via A24

Materialists includes raw flashback of Lucy and John quarrelling on their fifth anniversary on the busy street of a city. They quarrel over life, money, and what one of them believes he is entitled to. Lucy points out how difficult it is to love someone poor. This argument hurts, but it demonstrates how much they care about each other and how their relationship has fallen apart.

I was moved by the genuine compassion and suffering that lay beneath the harsh remarks. It felt credible and it captivated viewers as they recognized the true essence of love—not the idealized version, but rather the raw emotions. That conflict grounds their narrative in realism. This scene reminds us that love is not simple, and viewers empathize with both characters. They made their shared past feel both strong and immediate through this confrontation, utilizing materialism.


1. Reunion at the wedding

John arrives at the wedding as a waiter | Image via A24
John arrives at the wedding as a waiter | Image via A24

Lucy attends the wedding of her high-achieving client, where she encounters Harry, a wealthy brother who is the groom. Their courtship is smooth and well-executed. Then John arrives, working as a catering waiter. They gaze into each other's eyes, and an attraction sparks between them. It is a powerful moment of recognition.

The viewers witness the reignited chemistry in that instant. This is not the typical reunion that reveals the flawless facade of Lucy's current life. The tidy world she has built is threatened by John and his disheveled, physically imposing presence. This tension compels the viewer to navigate between expectations and reality. This scene highlights that certain connections cannot be easily forgotten. It is intriguing as it poses the question: can Lucy choose love over appearances?


Each moment contributed in a different way to make this movie not only glamorous and ambitious but also sincere and profoundly emotional.

The portrayal of John as a reserved yet powerful individual with a vulnerable side who was connected, particularly to Lucy, caused the audience to see past the obvious. His journey served as a reminder that, despite all of its flaws, love is worth trying again if it truly exists.

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Edited by Yesha Srivastava