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 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."

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.

“They’re so into each other” - 'Materialists' Director Confesses Pedro Pascal, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Evans Are Difficult to Keep Separate

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?”

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?