Fact-Checking Love: The Truth About Romance Movies | Eli Finkel and Paul Eastwick

Romantic comedies have shaped how we think about love, but how much of what Hollywood portrays is scientifically accurate? In this month of love, we sit down with relationship scientists Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel, co-hosts of Love Factually, to put movie romance under a scientific microscope. We break down what films get right, what they get wrong, and how rom-coms shape our real-life expectations about love and relationships.

Paul and Eli share insights from their research (which includes plenty of movie binge-watching) to explain why rom-com tropes like “the one that got away” or the ever-persistent suitor can be misleading—or even problematic—if taken too literally. They also discuss how some films surprisingly capture relationships with scientific accuracy, from meet-cutes to breakups. Along the way, we explore the power of micro-cultures in relationships, the myth of dating “leagues,” and how social norms evolve alongside popular culture.

Whether you’re a movie buff, a relationship science nerd, or just someone wondering why grand gestures sometimes fall flat in real life, this conversation has enough depth—and movies—to entertain and enlighten you. So grab a bucket of popcorn and get ready to overanalyze your favorite rom-coms like you overanalyze a text from your crush.