Melanie Griffith and Jesse Johnson step out to support Dakota Johnson at her film screening

On May 7, Dakota Johnson hosted a Los Angeles screening of her highly anticipated A24 film, Materialists, and the family turnout was as heartfelt as it was unexpected. Stepping out onto the red carpet at the London Hotel, Johnson’s mother, Melanie Griffith, and her brother, Jesse Johnson, braved flashing cameras and crowd chatter to show their unwavering support.

Beyond the glamour, this gathering offered a rare glimpse at a famous Hollywood lineage rallying around one of its own—proof that, for Dakota Johnson, family comes first both on and off the screen.

Family rally: Melanie Griffith and Jesse Johnson shine at the screening

At the screening, Melanie Griffith looked effortlessly chic in jeans layered under a sheer brown top and a trench coat, balancing comfort with couture in a Louis Vuitton clutch. She was casual yet elegant as she played the role of her proud mother, whose own decades-long career mirrors her daughter’s rising stardom.

Jesse Johnson, Dakota’s older half-brother, complemented the laid-back vibe in a white sweatshirt and jeans, later sharing the film’s poster on his Instagram Stories with a simple “Dis good” caption. Together, they stood alongside Dakota (radiant in a pleated white dress!), demonstrating that family unity can be the most stylish statement of all.

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Behind the scenes: Materialists, family ties, and blended realities

Materialists unfolds as a smart, R-rated rom-com that pits pragmatism against passion. Directed by Celine Song, who herself spent months working as a matchmaker in Manhattan, the film stars Johnson as Lucy, a professional matchmaker whose business thrives on cold calculations—BMI, salary, industry—but whose personal life unravels when she is caught between two suitors played by Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans. Song has described the project as a balance of cynicism and genuine romance, inspired by classics like Pride and Prejudice yet grounded in the commodification of modern love.

Beyond its narrative, Materialists has sparked commentary across think pieces and fan forums. Critics on Screen Rant praised its “old-school romantic comedy” vibe infused with A24’s signature subversions, while Vulture called it a “Hitch if it was written by James L. Brooks,” nodding to its mix of humor and heartfelt introspection.

Off-screen, Johnson has been equally reflective about her own life. In a 2024 Bustle interview, she remarked,

“No matter how f—ed up it is, or who’s in rehab, or who’s not speaking to whom, or who’s divorcing whom, we’re family. And we are always going to be a family. It’s really real”.

With six siblings—including half-brother Jesse—she highlighted the artistic thread that binds them:

“Most of us are artists ... you grow and you embrace and you say, ‘F— you and f— off,’ and then ‘I love you, come back.’”

This personal ethos of complexity and enduring love also mirrors the film’s emotional core, where Lucy must reconcile her analytical approach to matchmaking with the messy truth of human connection.

As the lights dimmed at the London Hotel, it was clear that for Materialists, the most poignant story wasn’t just on screen—it was the Johnson-Griffith clan rallying together in full force. Dakota Johnson’s blend of humor and honesty on-screen finds its roots in a family that has weathered Hollywood highs and lows with equal grace. With a June 13 theatrical release on the horizon, audiences will soon see not only Lucy’s romantic journey but the real-life love that fuels it.

Jasmine is a journalist for Primetimer

She graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from Sophia College in Mumbai, where she had the unique opportunity to publish research in social science and media.

Jasmine holds more than three years of experience including an ex-Founder's role at a digital marketing agency called 'Very Weird'. Additionally, she also had stints as a journalist at GrowMeOrganic and Scatter Content. She also worked in the Social Media Management team for beauty and wellness brands, Green Maven and Yoga House Mumbai.

Jasmine is a strict follower of ethics in journalism and stays updated with industry developments in order to improve her craft. She is committed to presenting diverse perspectives, which enriches her storytelling and enhances the relevance of her articles in today’s dynamic media landscape.