Netflix always manages to have a sea of options for rom-com fans. Whether it’s Hallmark-adjacent movies that scratch that sappy itch or star-studded flicks that try to evoke that perfect combination of laughing and heart-swelling feels, there’s usually plenty to indulge in. But the streamer’s latest addition to the genre, People We Meet on Vacation, might be their sweetest treat in recent memory.
Based on the 2021 novel by Emily Henry, the film follows Poppy (Emily Bader) and Alex (Tom Blyth), two best friends whose relationship and yearly summer vacations together are complicated by burning, unexplored feelings. The film characterizes Poppy, Alex, and their bond incredibly well and in a way that builds a strong narrative. Although these two have grown apart in the present, the film takes us through multiple vacations they shared—all the way back to a forced road trip that went awry. Admittedly, the first moments of them meeting and embarking on this trip home from college together can be a little frustrating. They’re just such extremes in personality—with Poppy being a spirited chatterbox and Alex being a more reserved stickler—that their constant conflicts can be a little much. The film is so persistent in showing them as opposites that you become exhausted by their sparring, and it flirts too much with generic rom-com writing to get by. However, eventually, there are some genuine heart-to-hearts that tear down walls and make you connect with these two enough to want to see their friendship unfold.
It’s not long until you’re ready to be whisked away on their yearly vacations to somewhere around the world—especially since they’re such a fun pair. People We Meet on Vacation is all about tapping into how trips with friends bring out new sides of ourselves and offer an opportunity to truly escape daily living. Poppy and Alex are great at making the most of their experiences and it’s what makes their adventurous spirits so enjoyable. It’s a blast to see their Canadian camping trip take some unexpected, sexually-charged turns that hilariously blow up on them. Poppy’s sudden plan to score free food and drinks in New Orleans not only hits some relatable notes but leads to an incredible dance sequence that’ll leave you grinning from ear to ear. And, honestly, the settings they travel through are very eye-catching and help build a larger scope for what could’ve been a smaller rom-com. By the end, just like Poppy, you’ll be relishing in the sheer joy that is “Vacation Alex” and it’s a great way for these two to develop individual and shared arcs.
It helps too that Bader and Blyth are game for everything thrown at them and provide an infectious sense of fun viewers can’t resist. They have such great chemistry, where they flawlessly laugh at their own expense and thrive in evoking a hooky romantic tension. The script also gives them a lot to work with, as there are plenty of funny jokes and failures sprinkled throughout their world-trotting excursions. The opening sequence of Poppy talking about vacations takes such a sharp turn that’s absolutely comical. Despite the corny nature of their screw-ups and mishaps that complicate their good time, there’s plenty of funny moments where the rug is pulled from under them. And, best of all, these two aren’t afraid to be vulnerable on-screen so all the laughs feel genuine and they have a romantic desire that can’t be ignored.
Bader and Blyth shift into real conversations easily to create real growth between Poppy and Alex. There are scenes of them being earnestly sweet and caring towards each other that make your heart swell and create a real connection—like faulty vacation plans turning into a sleepover that embodies what real friendship is. Yet, even with such a solid friendship in place, you always feel like there is something more between them that keeps you hoping and praying emotions spill over. It’s quintessential rom-com tension that viewers will gush over and become totally hooked by as things come to a head.
Now, honestly, the dialogue and story-writing drop off a bit once we see Poppy and Alex experience some turbulence. Most of their lines can sound recycled from the genre’s playbook and we veer too much into textbook storytelling that dampens some of the originality seen throughout. But, it’s hard not to love how People We Meet on Vacation handles the impact these two have on each other. It’s where the films themes about self-exploration and growth hit incredibly well, and there are emotional reckonings that surprisingly hit strong. By the end, you’re completely cuddled by the warmth the film provides and the fulfilling finale that sees Poppy and Alex come to terms with the bond they’ve built.
People We Meet on Vacation is a total win for rom-com fans and is one of the best offerings to the genre Netflix has provided lately. Blyth and Bader absolutely nail the hilarity and heart this story evokes and viewers will love getting swept up in their worldwide ventures. Personally, too, there’s some possibility for People We Meet on Vacation to have some real Kissing Booth potential, since it provides the kind of crowd-pleasing goods for viewers to cheer for more.
