Netflix has enlisted director Brett Haley and screenwriters Yulin Kuang, Amos Vernon, and Nunzio Randazzo for the adaptation of Emily Henry’s bestselling novel “People We Meet on Vacation.”
Poppy (Emily Bader) and Alex (Tom Blyth) are two unlikely best friends who have preserved their bond for ten years through annual summer getaways, despite living in different cities. Poppy is free-spirited and thrives on adventure, while Alex prefers predictability and routine. When they both realize their friendship may be the foundation for something more profound, the delicate balance they have maintained begins to shift.
Let’s be clear: I’m not the core demographic for these sunny, BookTok-propelled romantic comedies. The friends-to-lovers setup is as familiar as comfort food, recycled through countless films from “When Harry Met Sally” and “Brown Sugar”, numerous streaming hits. Originality isn’t the focus here, and the story beats unfold exactly as expected.
Yet, in the age of Netflix and chill, there’s real value in a harmless, well-crafted rom-com that knows its lane and navigates it confidently. The screenplay by Yulin Kuang, Amos Vernon, and Nunzio Randazzo keeps the tone light without crossing into saccharine territory. The structure—interweaving present-day tension with flashbacks to past vacations—effectively builds the duo’s history, making their eventual spark feel earned rather than rushed.
The film rises or falls on the chemistry of its leads, and Bader and Blyth deliver convincingly. Bader’s Poppy is vibrant and chaotically charming, her wide-eyed enthusiasm infusing the film with energy. Blyth beautifully counters as the buttoned-up Alex, using quiet glances and dry wit to reveal layers beneath his reserve.
Their banter is lively, and the slow-burn attraction never feels forced. In supporting roles, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jameela Jamil, Lucien Laviscount, and Lukas Gage add color and humor without overshadowing the main couple—Jameela Jamil, in particular, showcases sharp timing as Poppy’s no-nonsense boss.
Haley’s direction favors warmth over flash, allowing the performances and the scenic vacation backdrops to carry the film. The result is predictable, but pleasantly so—like a favorite playlist you know by heart. “People We Meet on Vacation” won’t redefine the genre or linger in awards conversations, but it accomplishes what it sets out to do: provide easy, feel-good escapism.
In a cinematic landscape often overloaded with cynicism, that’s a welcome relief. It’s ideal for a relaxed streaming night with someone special—or even solo with zero guilt.
Final Grade: B –
“People We Meet On Vacation” is available to stream on Netflix tomorrow..
