Attention Moviegoers: This article contains mild spoilers for the film “Materialists,” currently screening in theaters.

The film “Materialists,” directed by Celine Music as a follow-up to her earlier work “Previous Lives,” provides a revealing exploration of how wealth and financial status shape contemporary relationships. The protagonist, Lucy, portrayed by Dakota Johnson, is a skilled matchmaker whose clients often impose strict income criteria for their potential partners—an expectation that Lucy herself shares. She is acutely aware of her desire for financial stability and the lifestyle that comes with it. This aspiration is reflective of what many individuals pursuing the elite circles of upper-class New York aim for, highlighting the pressures of social status and economic success in modern relationships.

The film’s portrayal of New York City serves as a pivotal backdrop for its analysis of socioeconomic disparities. According to set decorator Amy Silver, known for her work on films like “The Beguiled,” “On the Rocks,” and “The Mastermind,” the geographical representation in the film is a direct commentary on class distinctions. “The film is all about class, and the neighborhoods that everyone inhabits immediately reflect their socioeconomic status,” she explains, emphasizing how integral the setting is to the narrative.

Throughout the movie, various apartments are showcased, starkly contrasting the opulent penthouse of Harry, played by Pedro Pascal, and the modest, worn-in apartment shared by John, portrayed by Chris Evans. This juxtaposition is both striking and realistic, emphasizing the vast differences in living conditions experienced by individuals of varying financial means in the city.

Amy Silver collaborated closely with production designer Anthony Gasparro, known for his work on “Sorts of Kindness,” “Displaying Up,” and “The Mastermind,” to meticulously craft the apartment environments seen in the film. In an interview with Variety, they discussed the thoughtful design process behind each living space, explaining how the decor reflects the characters’ lifestyles and hints at their respective rent prices. They also elaborated on the selection of locations for the wedding scenes and the Adore office, which plays a significant role in the story.

Exploring Lucy’s Chic Brooklyn Heights Apartment

Location: Brooklyn Heights

Estimated Rent: $3,200/month

Initially, the script envisioned Lucy residing in Greenpoint, but according to Gasparro, none of the locations there met the production’s needs. After also considering Williamsburg, the team ultimately settled on Brooklyn Heights. “It’s not precisely Brooklyn Heights; it’s located in the area between Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill,” Gasparro elaborates. Lucy’s apartment was one of the last locations the team discovered, as they sought a setting that felt distinct from typical romantic comedies.

Importantly, the apartment had to be within Lucy’s financial reach. Silver notes, “Her apartment was carefully considered. Although much of it isn’t prominently featured in the film, every detail was intentionally designed.” The decor choices were meant to reflect what Lucy could realistically afford; Gasparro states, “Perhaps she splurges a bit on her dining table but is using IKEA flatware. Given her busy lifestyle, her apartment is relatively small, and we utilized the fire escape as a space where she might go to reflect or smoke a cigarette.”

Silver’s favorite detail from the sets is the makeup table where Lucy sits at the film’s beginning. She discovered this unique piece in Hudson, NY. “It’s a table that once belonged to Norman Rockwell,” Silver reveals. “This beautiful, Victorian-style, kidney-shaped table painted white with a mirrored top absolutely captivated me. I loved that it was the one item in her apartment that had a sense of history.”

Both artisans highlight the compact nature of the space. “It was about the size of a laptop. It was great that Shabier Kirchner—many directors of photography might shy away from such a small space—embraced its size,” Gasparro states. “It aligned perfectly with what Amy was communicating, like, ‘What can she actually afford?’ We aimed to be as realistic as possible, given that she claims to earn $80,000 a year. Even then, one must question how one can afford an apartment in New York City without it being tiny, almost like a studio.”

Lucy’s choice to reside in this neighborhood signifies her aspirations for wealth, even if she spends minimal time at home. “Brooklyn Heights is a wealthy area, but she lives on its fringes. I think this reflects her desire to be in a space that resonates with those who have money,” Silver explains.

“She also wants to be near the subway and avoids living in the outer boroughs because she desires proximity to Manhattan and the Adore office,” Gasparro adds. “Even if she could get a larger apartment in Sunset Park, she would never settle for that. She prefers a smaller place that captures the essence of Manhattan.”

Discovering the Luxurious of Harry’s Penthouse

Location: Tribeca

Estimated Rent: He is the owner of the condo.

For Harry’s stunning $12 million penthouse, the production team sought an environment that exuded “richness and a sophisticated aesthetic that would reflect who Harry is as a character. It carries a sense of sophistication and is nearly bespoke—extremely tasteful,” Gasparro comments.

They aimed to find a space with the right scale and dimensions to accommodate extensive filming, particularly in the bedroom, living room, and kitchen areas. Finding such a location proved challenging, but once they did, “we knew this would be a pivotal setting that would influence the overall aesthetic of the film,” Gasparro adds.

Harry’s penthouse is a real location, and a family currently resides in that space. Silver meticulously removed any elements suggesting a family-oriented environment to transform it into a bachelor pad. She describes the style of Harry’s residence as “quiet luxury,” which reflects a refined, subtle elegance.

“The condo had a lot of neutral tones and reflected a design sensibility likely from the 2010s, featuring numerous distinctive antiques. The lighting fixtures included exquisite Italian designs and Charlotte Perriand sconces on the walls,” Silver notes. “While nothing screamed big-name designers, each piece was quite unique and expensive.”

The production team faced restrictions on modifying the space, only able to construct a new headboard and mattress for Harry’s bedroom, which were necessary due to extended filming in that area. “We were limited in what we could do because the walls were plastered, preventing us from hanging anything,” Gasparro explains. “Thus, Amy conceived the idea of creating a grand headboard and then brought in beautiful sheets and bedding.”

Examining John’s Cramped Apartment in Sunset Park

Location: Sunset Park

Estimated Rent: $3,400/month shared among roommates

Despite appearing to be located in Sunset Park, John’s apartment was actually constructed in a studio in Long Island City. Music used images of a previous residence belonging to her husband, Justin Kuritzkes, for inspiration, aiming to capture the feel of a dilapidated apartment. “We had a fantastic team, a skilled construction and scenic crew, who helped us create the wear and tear that these apartments throughout the city often bear, especially with multiple roommates coming in and out,” Gasparro explains.

The artisans aimed to integrate details that reflect the typical neglect of a “lazy landlord,” such as a painted-over intercom, unsightly sconces, peeling paint on pipes, and a rundown air conditioner.

“This is the type of apartment that only someone living in New York would dare to inhabit; it lacks a proper living room, just a narrow wall strip with a sofa and one bathroom,” Silver states. “[John’s] apartment was the best in the building, as he has lived there the longest, which is why he enjoys the best windows.”

Silver recalls scouring for the perfect decor elements. “It was enjoyable to find the cheapest items possible at Home Depot, IKEA, and the Salvation Army, and somehow make it look aesthetically pleasing while still conveying a sense of disrepair. I mean, he even steps on a condom, which speaks volumes about the living conditions. And then we had a leftover spaghetti dish sitting in the sink for days, contributing to the authenticity of the scene. Many crew members remarked, ‘Oh, I lived in an apartment like this,’” Silver shares.

At one point, John finds himself over the sink in the bathroom, struggling to close a mirror that keeps popping open regardless of how hard he pushes it back. This detail was included in the script, Gasparro reveals. “Amy found the perfect mirror, and we simply worked with what we had—actually, I believe it was already like that,” he notes.

To bring the apartment to life, the crew meticulously mapped out the entire space using tape. “We taped where the sink would be, where he would step on the condom, and where the kitchen would fit. Essentially, we laid it out as a large, scaled blueprint, walking Celine through it and Shabier,” Gasparro explains. “From there, we designed it from the ground up, ensuring it had just the right amount of space for Shabier to maneuver the camera, while also maintaining a cramped and dingy feel.”

Silver emphasizes that this apartment portrayal is not a fantasy of New York living; rather, it realistically depicts how three individuals with limited financial means coexist in a space that seems almost impossible to live in.

Unveiling Sophie’s Elegant West Village Apartment

Location: West Village

Estimated Rent: $6,800/month

Sophie resides in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment on “one of the most beautiful streets in New York City,” as Silver describes. This street is world-famous, thanks to its association with Carrie Bradshaw from “Sex and the City.”

“I think it’s just two houses away from the iconic home featured in ‘Sex and the City,’ on Perry Avenue. The idea was that since she could afford a matchmaker, her apartment would be more thoughtfully designed,” Gasparro elaborates. “She invested a bit more money into her space than Lucy did, reflecting her greater financial means. Sophie’s apartment features more built-ins, a larger table, and a more refined aesthetic, while Lucy’s space feels cramped, indicating that she often needs to step outside for a breather. This setup represents a person who can afford a matchmaker and has ambition in New York City, making the West Village the perfect location for her,” Gasparro continues.

Although viewers primarily see Sophie’s kitchen, even that limited view aligns with what we know about her character. “The concept for her space was that she possesses wealth but remains somewhat of a blank slate. The aesthetic in her apartment is relatively simple, yet she owns nice things that are perhaps a bit more mainstream than Lucy’s, which is filled with more idiosyncratic furnishings. Sophie’s apartment is minimalistic, clean, and very nice,” Silver explains.

Exploring Iconic Locations in Materialists

“Materialists” also showcases wedding culture and its accompanying grandeur. “The weddings are set in Midtown, around Central Park, representing the quintessential New York City setting. Whenever you see a film featuring Central Park and Fifth Avenue, it is not the Herald Square area but rather the upscale surroundings closer to Central Park,” Gasparro explains.

Think of locations like the Plaza Hotel. Gasparro recalls that the filming occurred during peak wedding season, which limited their options for venues. “We had to combine several hotels to create the illusion of a single venue,” he notes.

Regarding Lucy’s workplace, Adore: “We always envisioned it as being situated in central New York City, a vibrant area with a pulsating energy,” Gasparro shares. “Thus, we chose to shoot in SoHo, while also exploring locations in Union Square.”

Additional filming locations include various restaurants in Tribeca and lower Manhattan. John’s world, including the theater and his apartment, is set in either Sunset Park or other parts of Brooklyn, along with scenes shot in Central Park,” Gasparro adds.