Let’s get one thing straight right out of the gate: Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans aren't dating. They aren't a secret "thing" in the Hollywood hills, and they didn't have a messy breakup behind closed doors. Honestly, if you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen the clickbait. It’s everywhere. People see two attractive humans standing near each other on a movie set in New York and suddenly they’re planning a wedding. Or a funeral for their relationship.
It’s just work. But, man, what a project it turned out to be.
The two spent a good chunk of late 2024 and early 2025 practically attached at the hip while filming Materialists, the A24 rom-com that basically took over the internet. Directed by Celine Song—the genius who made everyone cry with Past Lives—the movie hit theaters in June 2025 and finally gave us the Dakota and Chris pairing we didn't know we needed. But the reality of their "connection" is way more interesting than the tabloid rumors.
The Matchmaker and the Waiter: The Materialists Dynamic
The buzz started when photos leaked of Dakota and Chris filming in the West Village. She looked like a high-end Manhattanite; he looked like he hadn't slept in three days and was carrying a tray of drinks. In the movie, Dakota plays Lucy, a professional matchmaker who is supposedly an expert at finding "the one" for wealthy New Yorkers.
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The irony? Her own life is a total disaster.
Chris Evans plays John, her ex-boyfriend who is a struggling theater actor and part-time catering waiter. It’s a huge departure from the shield-slinging Captain America vibes we're used to. He’s scruffy. He’s kind of a mess. He represents the "broke but passionate" past that Lucy is trying to outrun by dating a billionaire played by Pedro Pascal.
The chemistry between Dakota and Chris on screen is... complicated. It’s not that sparkly, Hallmark-movie kind of love. It’s that heavy, "we have ten years of baggage" kind of energy. During the press tour in mid-2025, they joked about how they had to build a "divorced couple shorthand" to make the relationship feel real.
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Why everyone thought they were dating (again)
The rumor mill went into overdrive during their appearance on the Today show in June 2025. Dakota had recently gone through a very public, very final split from Chris Martin after nearly eight years. Naturally, the internet did what it does best: it tried to "ship" her with the next Chris in line.
- Fact Check: Chris Evans has been happily married to Alba Baptista since 2023.
- The "Non-Negotiable": During that famous interview, Dakota was asked about her dating deal-breakers. She said her only requirement was "not being an a------." Chris Evans cracked up, and that three-second clip of them laughing together generated about a million TikToks claiming they were "soulmates."
- The Reality: They’re just two pros who actually like each other’s company. Evans even mentioned in an IMDb interview that they formed an "instant friendship" because their humor is equally dry and sarcastic.
Breaking Down the "Materialists" Box Office Success
A24 didn't just drop a movie; they dropped a cultural moment. By the time August 2025 rolled around, Materialists had cleared $100 million worldwide. For an indie-leaning R-rated rom-com, those are monster numbers.
People were hungry for something that felt adult. We’ve had enough of the "will-they-won't-they" tropes. This movie was about the "should-they-stay-apart" reality. Critics loved it, giving it an 81% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s the kind of movie where you leave the theater arguing with your friends about whether she picked the right guy. (Spoilers: the ending is way more nuanced than a simple choice).
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What’s Next for the Duo in 2026?
Now that the Materialists fever has cooled down a bit, both stars are moving into totally different lanes.
Dakota Johnson is leaning heavily into her production company, TeaTime Pictures. She’s currently working on Splitsville, another comedy that explores the messy side of relationships. She’s clearly found her niche in these "elevated" relationship dramas where everything is a little bit toxic and a lot bit relatable.
As for Chris Evans? He’s finally getting his wish. He’s been vocal for years about wanting to do a proper musical. While he had a cameo in the Coen brothers' Honey Don't!, the word around Hollywood is that he’s looking for a project where he can actually put those tap shoes to use.
What You Can Actually Do Now
If you’re still reeling from their chemistry and want more, here’s the move:
- Watch "Materialists" on Streaming: It’s likely hitting Max or A24’s digital partners right about now. Watch it for the "silent scenes" between Dakota and Chris—they communicated more with their eyes than most actors do with five pages of dialogue.
- Follow Celine Song’s Next Move: She’s developing an e-sports drama for HBO called Damage. If you liked the vibe of Materialists, you’ll want to keep an eye on this.
- Check out "Past Lives": If you haven't seen the director's first film, go back and do it. It explains why the romance in Materialists feels so grounded and heartbreakingly real.
Stop looking for a hidden romance where there isn't one. The real story isn't who they're dating—it's how they managed to redefine what a modern movie star looks like in a post-superhero world. They traded capes and corsets for catering trays and matchmaking contracts, and honestly? We're all better for it.