People We Meet On Vacation Review: A Return To Classic, Feel-Good Rom-Coms

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A truly great romantic comedy needs two key ingredients: memorable characters and a believable connection between the leads. Luckily, Netflix’s People We Meet On Vacation delivers both in abundance. Director Brett Haley (known for Hearts Beat Loud) beautifully adapts Emily Henry’s 2021 novel, creating a warm and engaging story that viewers will easily get lost in.

It feels like classic romantic comedies – movies like When Harry Met Sally, While You Were Sleeping, and You’ve Got Mail – are a thing of the past. Those films had a special charm that’s hard to find now, but People We Meet On Vacation really captures that same feeling, more than any recent rom-com I’ve seen.

People We Meet On Vacation Is A Charming And Fun Romantic Comedy

The movie People We Meet On Vacation centers around Poppy and Alex, whose story is told through two different time periods. We see them reconnecting in the present after a long period of not speaking, and also get glimpses into the past, showing how their friendship blossomed over the years through memorable trips around the world.

Okay, so the story starts with Poppy really feeling lost. She’s a writer in New York, but she’s kind of down and missing her best friend, Alex. They used to take amazing vacations together, but he’s moved back to Ohio. Luckily, his brother’s getting married in Barcelona, and that feels like the perfect excuse for them to reconnect – and maybe recapture some of that old magic.

This book is a fun and heartwarming story that centers on the evolving connection between Poppy and Alex. They start as reluctant travel companions, become close friends, and eventually develop deeper feelings for each other. The charm of People We Meet On Vacation lies in watching their relationship unfold, from their initial personality clashes on their first trip to a particularly joyful scene set in New Orleans that was genuinely delightful.

It’s obvious the creators of People We Meet On Vacation are passionate about love – and all its complexities. The movie portrays a realistic, imperfect kind of love that requires effort and compromise. Because Poppy and Alex face real challenges, the happy ending feels truly deserved and satisfying.

One of the main reasons the film is so successful is its characters, Poppy and Alex. Though originally created by Henry, actors Bader and Blyth truly bring them to life. Audiences connect with these characters because Henry gave them believable flaws and allowed them to make mistakes, making their story engaging. Blyth and Bader’s performances build on this foundation, making Poppy and Alex feel even more authentic and relatable.

Bader is delightful as Poppy, bringing a playful energy alongside moments of raw vulnerability that truly resonate. Blyth perfectly embodies Alex’s warmth and likability, providing a grounded balance to Poppy’s more whimsical nature. The actors skillfully capture the heart of their characters and create a believable connection, which is ultimately what makes the movie so special.

While the movie features fun supporting characters – like Jameela Jamil as Poppy’s unexpectedly kind boss and Alan Ruck and Molly Shannon as her hilarious parents – the heart of the story remains Poppy and Alex. The actors playing them deliver fantastic performances and truly carry the film.

Because the movie People We Meet On Vacation is based on Emily Henry’s book, it’s worth noting there are a few small differences in the plot and where Poppy and Alex go on vacation. These changes don’t hurt the movie at all, and in some cases, they actually improve the story, making it more focused for the film’s two-hour length.

Overall, People We Meet On Vacation is a really fun and sweet romantic comedy. It’s ideal for anyone who loves the genre, enjoyed the book it’s based on, or is looking for a cozy movie to watch around Valentine’s Day. Like all great rom-coms, the story of Poppy and Alex is sure to win viewers over – it definitely won me over!

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2026-01-09 03:02