On Jan. 6 2026, People We Meet On Vacation, a film adaptation of a novel by Emily Henry was released on Netflix. The movie was highly anticipated, as it is the first adaptation of an Emily Henry book. The film features a friends-to-lovers trope starring two best friends: Poppy Wright–played by Emily Bader–and Alex Nilsen played by Tom Blyth. Poppy and Alex take a vacation every summer together, until one year when it all goes wrong. After two years of no contact they reunite for one last adventure that will decide the course of their relationship.
Poppy and Alex are two completely different people. Poppy loves to travel the world and she turned her passion into a career. She works as a travel journalist, where she goes on vacation for a living, returns and writes an article about her experiences. Alex is a homebody who likes to vacation, but in the end likes to go back home. He works in his hometown as an English teacher. Together, they travel the world and gain new experiences.
One of Poppy’s most memorable lines in the film is “On vacation, you can be anyone.” The idea is that when you travel you can be a different person to escape your daily routine. For Poppy, vacations are a way of reinventing herself to avoid her difficult life. She often uses this phrase to push Alex to do things he does not want to do.
The film adaptation of People We Meet On Vacation stays true to the heart of Emily Henry’s novel while simultaneously making a few changes to fit the screen. The main differences are that some scenes in the film are emphasized more than in the book and vice versa. Overall the film remains true to the original story while still offering something for both the fans of the book and first-time viewers.
Audiences reaction to the film has been largely positive, with Rotten Tomatoes listing People We Meet On Vacation with a 75 percent rating. For most films, this is considered an above average rating. This indicates that most critics found the film to be favorable.
The film’s release has led many fans to believe it represents the return of the classic romantic comedies (rom-coms) audiences once loved. Although rom-coms have continued to be released since the early 2000s, many fans argue that the genre has lacked the charm and wit that once defined it. In recent years, rom-coms have often been criticized for being rushed, predictable, over modernized and lacking genuine chemistry.
Fans have pointed out that People We Meet On Vacation prioritizes a slow-burning, traditional romance. Much like the classic 2000s rom-coms, the film allows the audience to connect with the characters before they reach their happily ever after. Fans believe that this signals a comeback for the genre.
People We Meet On Vacation not only fulfilled fans’ desires for a heartfelt romantic comedy but also served as a reminder of what once made the genre so popular. It meets the book lover’s expectations by sticking to the original story while still working as a movie on its own. With its genuine romance and strong chemistry, the film proves to be a satisfying love story for all to enjoy.
