Dakota Johnson’s latest role is the reason for the latest buzz beyond the screen, as audiences across social media talk about the realities behind her character’s lifestyle. In the new movie, Materialists
, Johnson steps into the Brooklyn Heights resident, which is like stepping into a lifestyle in one of New York’s most desired neighborhoods. The film’s luxurious depiction of urban life has intrigued fans, while viewers have begun forming opinions based on the creators’ representation.
Can one afford Brooklyn Heights just on $80K? Social media is
not doing it!
Materialists team unpacks Dakota Johnson’s on-screen lifestyle
Materialists
set decorator Amy Silver and production designer Anthony Gasparro recently did an interview with Variety
, pointing out the gap between
Johnson’s character’s $80,000 salary per year and her expensive Brooklyn Heights
apartment, including the spoilers of the movie itself. The pair acknowledged the debate about the affordability of Dakota Johnson’s character’s Brooklyn Heights apartment. “We were trying to be as realistic as possible
,” said Gasparro, adding that the only other option was to make it “tiny, almost like a studio.”
Love the way Celine Song doesn’t capitalize on the noise and business of New York but instead captures its still moments and quiet beauty. She did that with Past Lives too. #Materialists is a modern-day love triangle with an old-fashioned heart. Dakota, Pedro, and Chris shine. pic.twitter.com/uVCim8t2AT
— Sonya Alexander (@wordslinger1) June 15, 2025
This is not the first time a movie has been the topic for setting unrealistic representations of city living, but Materialists
has got the
particular nerve. The rent prices in Brooklyn Heights average approximately $4,000
a month. Many have a point that the city’s lifestyle is not what is shown on-screen
and faced by real New Yorkers. The discussion has grown into a polarized
conversation about media representations of wealth and the everyday realities
of urban life.
Is it just aesthetics, or does it expose a quiet truth about wealth and storytelling?
As the debate continues, social media has become the ground
for opinions and humorous commentary. X users have created hashtags like
#BrooklynHeightsBudget and #MaterialistsMath, which have started trending
already, while some have shared their rent receipts for comparison. The viral
conversation stresses how closely audiences study the on-screen representation
of money, and how quickly a single tweet can spread a topic of conversation in
the city.
The chaos over Dakota Johnson’s character
in the apartment is definitely more than just a meme or X comment—it shows an idea of what
media wants to show, while the public analyzes the truth in comparisons. The
debate points out how viewers want clarification for transparency. One thing is for sure: viewers and fans are paying attention,
and they are not stepping up to ask publicly, “How much rent?
”
Read More: Every Dakota Johnson Movie You Can Stream on Netflix Right Now
What do you think about Dakota Johnson’s Character in Materialists
—could a citizen afford Brooklyn Heights on
$80K yearly salar?