Rom-Coms Have Declined Due to ‘Misogyny,’ Claims Materialists Director

Materialists director Celine Song believes that rom-coms aren’t the big hit they used to be due to a handful of reasons, including a rise in misogyny.

What did Celine Song say about the decline of rom-coms?

Speaking to Southampton Playhouse, Song was asked about the fact that romantic comedies have seen a downturn in how many are released over the last few years. Song credited misogyny with one of several reasons as to why, including the fact that people are “embarrassed” to be romantic.

“A few reasons, one of which is misogyny,” Song said. “But there’s another part of it. Romance is something that we’re all embarrassed to be obsessed with. OK, fine, it’s a chic flick. That’s often said as if it’s not a serious movie. I always think, well, that’s sad in a couple of ways. You’re saying chics are not serious people.

“Secondly, it’s not the concern of serious people to think about love and dating. But serious people do it, too. They’re very troubled by love and dating. Ask any serious person. And so it’s a genre that is dismissed. People are scared of it.”

Materialists likely serves as the biggest theatrical rom-com release of 2025. Later this year, Kogonada’s A Big Bold Beautiful Journey will also release in theaters, starring Margot Robbie and Collin Farrell.

(Source: Southampton Playhouse)