The movie adaptation of Emily Henry’s novel, “People We Meet on Vacation,” premiered on Netflix on Jan. 9, and was a satisfying watch. Rather than attempting to reinvent the romantic comedy genre or take a bold new approach, the movie embraces familiarity and predictability. With its scenic settings, witty banter and the friends-to-lovers trope, the film leans into classic romantic-comedy conventions, and delivers them with enough charm and light-heartedness to keep me engaged for the entire 1 hour and 49 minutes.
The film follows the unlikely friendship of Poppy, played by Emily Bader and Alex, played by Tom Blyth, who meet in a carpool to their small Ohio hometown heading home from college, and build a friendship through years of annual summer vacations together. Eventually, romantic feelings begin to surface, but missed chances and life pulling them in different directions left me waiting for the inevitable “lovers” aspect of the friends-to-lovers arc.
The movie spans 12 years, switching off between flashbacks of vacations and present-day depictions of Poppy and Alex’s mutual silent treatment after Alex gets engaged and ghosts Poppy. Their vacations, jumping from New Orleans to Tuscany, Italy, repeatedly exhibit their chemistry, even as assorted love interests come between them. Poppy becomes a New York-based travel writer while Alex pursues academics, rooted in their hometown. In the present, they are awkwardly reunited for Alex’s brother’s destination wedding in Barcelona, Spain, following years of no contact.
The movie works because it understands the appeal of the genre. It gives viewers exactly what they turn to rom-coms for: witty back-and-forth dialogue, a rollercoaster of emotions and building tension between two people who are clearly meant for each other but cannot seem to admit it. It explores the concept of whether men and women could ever really be just friends, a familiar idea that contributes to the warmth of this movie.
Bader and Blyth carry the film with easy and believable chemistry. Poppy’s standard freespirit, outgoing and chaotic personality contrasts with Alex’s quieter, more reserved character, allowing their friendship to feel lived-in and built on shared memories, not just plot convenience. The dynamic between the two charismatic characters gets the audience rooting for them from the other side of the screen and feeling their emotions too, not just watching them.
Visually, the film invites viewers into a carefully crafted escape. The setting of each vacation feels warm and inviting, giving the movie a comforting, almost nostalgic tone. The soundtrack hits just as perfectly, such as when Taylor Swift’s “August” played as Poppy worked up the courage to enter Alex’s brother’s rehearsal dinner, capturing Poppy’s wistful mix of hope and longing.
The film differs slightly from Henry’s novel, as Poppy and Alex do not visit all of the places mentioned in the book, saving the almost two-hour movie from being much longer. Also, the book puts the reader inside Poppy’s head, articulating her hesitance to settle down with Alex, while the movie seems less interested in her thoughts until the last scene with Poppy’s final declaration of love for Alex. I found that the movie’s choice ended up saving the plot from being too repetitive, simultaneously contributing to a more satisfying, wholesome ending.
The movie, “People We Meet on Vacation,” is exactly what it promises to be. It’s sweet, familiar and enjoyable. Anyone who enjoyed the book, despite several deviations from it, would also appreciate the movie. Even for those who haven’t read the book, this movie satisfies any craving for a lighthearted rom-com and I would recommend it to any fan of the genre.
