First of all, my expectations and hopes about heterosexual love have tanked thanks to: [vaguely gestures around] the global rise of red-pill content, misogyny, shift towards conservative garbage, rise of tradwife nonsense, rolling back of reproductive rights and entire human population being forced to the face the terrible consequences of capitalism and greed because of well rich people.
So, when the first trailer of Materialist by A24 dropped. I immediately became team Pedro Pascal. Look, if you can't become rich with hard work in this economy, sticking with another person whose life is a mess is a bad financial and mental health decision. Especially an ex whom you dumped.
Hence, I totally understand why women around the world became team Perdo Pascal. Yes, true love is cool, but you know what is uncool? Being in love and broke and stressing about financial stability. Most Cishet Women's greatest achievement until a century back was marrying well and better than their birth family, even to this date, that is true in many countries where women's rights are next to nil. Romance is a luxury, and broke people romancing each other can't afford it without suffering real-time consequences. And cishet women are tired of suffering and imagine adding another layer of suffering by adding a broke dude to your miserable existence.
Have we not seen enough videos, read articles and AITA stories of cishet men excelling at weaponised incompetency, dumping emotional labour, and mental labour and expecting to be treated well despite not being respectful to women?
So tell me again, why should this woman in the movie choose this broke ex? Choose the Billionaire, life is already hard. And it's not simply even about the richer guy having billions, it's more about the rich guy being stable and secure in his own life. Everything in his life is in order, now he wants to spend the rest of his good time with you. Girl, you deserve peace and devotion from a man stable in his life.
Sorry, I am very Asian and pragmatic when it comes to romance and financial security. Misery loves company, and you don't want to be miserable in love.
I remember my English Lit professor declaring, that the Romanticisation of Poverty in the Romance Genre as True Love Blossoms in the Struggle, is a scam.
There is a reason we love Chaebol Kdrama, Billionaire Romance Books, and Tycoon Husbands in Indian Soap Operas. Women want stability.