Materialists: Did It Really Get the Matchmaking World Right?
I recently watched Materialists, and of course, I couldn’t help watching it with my Compatico hat on. I was curious whether Hollywood’s take on matchmaking lined up with what really happens behind the scenes.
Here are my thoughts.
Where Materialists Hit the Mark
True: The Checklist Mindset
The film leans heavily into the idea that people enter matchmaking with clear, sometimes rigid checklists. This part felt very familiar.
At Compatico, we see lots of people arrive knowing exactly what they think they want:
specific age ranges
particular lifestyle choices
certain financial or career markers
hobbies and values
specific height
Having a checklist isn’t wrong. It’s the same way you know what you want when hunting for a house or planning a holiday. You sometimes need to compromise on things due to availability or budget, but on the whole it’s possible to checklist your way more or less to the home/holiday you want.
In dating, checklists need room to breathe. In the house/holiday scenario, the object of your desires doesn’t need to choose you back. However in dating, the person who ticks your checkboxes must also choose you. Not to mention, the person who ‘ticks all the boxes’ may not actually be the person who makes you happy.
Success in matchmaking starts with an understanding that matchmakers cannot produce people made-to-measure (although it would certainly make our job a lot easier). We frequently remind members that it’s fine to have some key core values you’d like a partner to share, but staying open-minded with other criteria improves your chances of meeting someone who may look slightly different to what you imagined, but turns out to be a great match for you.
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True: How Deeply Matchmakers Care
One thing the movie really got right is how invested matchmakers are.
I work closely with the matchmakers and have the privilege of seeing how thoughtful, invested, and intuitive our team truly is. Every introduction is the result of conversations, shared team insights, deep knowledge of our members, intuition and care.
The movie’s portrayal of a matchmaking team obsessing over the little things felt very true to life. We’re a tight-knit group, and every single person who joins Compatico becomes someone we talk about, think about, and genuinely root for.
Where the Movie Wasn’t Quite Accurate
1. Matchmaking Isn’t Instant Magic
Movies love a neat arc: join agency → matched instantly → all sorted. Real matchmaking is a slower, more organic process. We create opportunities, not fairytales. You still have to go on the date, be open, be present, and build something.
2. Age Isn’t a Ticking Clock
The film leans into the idea that relationship eligibility has a deadline. At Compatico, this simply isn’t true — amazing relationships form at every age. We’ve seen happy couples find each other in their 70s and 80s!
3. Real-Life Dating Is Less Glossy, More Genuine
The movie shows matchmaking as hyper-glam, city-slick, high-fashion chaos. Our world looks more like regular people with real jobs, good hearts, busy schedules, and genuine intentions.
A Few Other Thoughts the Movie Sparked
Dating Takes Bravery
The movie highlights how vulnerable dating is and this is something we see daily. Deciding you want connection and actually doing something about it is incredibly brave. We never take for granted the courage it takes for someone to join a matchmaking service like Compatico.
People Want Similar Values More Than They Admit
Something the movie hints at (and we see constantly) is how important value alignment is:
similar financial position
similar political or worldview alignment
similar lifestyle expectations
similar approach to family, work, ambition
The older people become, the more important these factors are. Our matchmakers typically tell people to decide which aspects are most important to them, and where they can flex. After all, your best match isn’t simply a clone of yourself.
Matchmaking Works Best When You’re Open
The film shows that growth happens when you’re willing to expand your expectations. We see this at Compatico all the time: the best outcomes come from members who stay flexible, curious, and grounded in what truly matters.
Final Thoughts
Watching Materialists reminded me how universal the desire for connection is, no matter how confident, accomplished, or independent you are.
It also highlighted just how different real matchmaking is from the movie version: softer, slower, more thoughtful, more human.
At Compatico, we’re not crafting movie moments… We’re creating real opportunities for real people who want meaningful companionship.
And if Materialists proved anything, it’s that matchmaking isn’t old-school or desperate. It’s intentional, modern and for so many people, it’s exactly the step they need to take.
Marketing, Mackenzie