“People We Meet on Vacation,” which came out on Netflix Jan. 9, is based on the romance novel written by best selling American author Emily Henry in 2021. This film follows Poppy (Emily Bader) and Alex (Tom Blyth), two unlikely friends who meet by chance and go on annual summer trips together. After a fallout that leads to a two-year break in their friendship, they reunite at a wedding, forcing them to confront both their past and their unresolved feelings.
One of the strongest aspects of the film is the dynamic between the two leads. Emily Bader portrays Poppy with such infectious joy and openness that her energy practically radiates through the screen. Tom Blyth, whom I’ve always enjoyed watching since his 2023 Hunger Games film as Coriolanus Snow, brings a quiet sincerity to Alex that balances Poppy’s spontaneity perfectly. Together, they create a relationship that feels genuine and emotionally grounded. Their comedic bantering was spot on, but I wish there were less time skips. What especially touched me was how the film portrays both platonic and romantic love. In the early stages of their friendship, Poppy and Alex are super honest and emotionally healthy, showing that meaningful relationships between men and women don’t always have to start (or end) as romantic.
The storytelling relies on short, snapshot-like moments from their trips, offering different perspectives on how their relationship evolves over time. This structure highlighted the gradual shift from friendship to romantic tension. However, these brief anecdotes sometimes felt incomplete. I often found myself filling in emotional gaps on my own, which worked thanks to my rom-com experience but may leave other viewers wanting more depth. I haven’t read the book, but I’ve heard that several key scenes that helped establish their bond were cut from the film. Because of that, this story might have reached its full potential as a TV series, where the relationship could have been explored more fully.
The movie expanded the “opposites attract” trope beyond personality differences to explore deeper conflicts in values and life goals. Alex prioritizes stability, even at the expense of his dreams, while Poppy embraces uncertainty and follows wherever life takes her. Watching them navigate these differences through communication and compromise felt realistic and meaningful, especially as a message for future couples trying to balance love with personal ambition.
I am not a huge fan of how Alex had a girlfriend throughout his and Poppy’s situationship. If I was her, I would not appreciate my boyfriend constantly texting and going on annual vacations with his girl best friend. Overall, “People We Meet on Vacation” is heartfelt, well-acted and emotionally resonant, even if it occasionally feels rushed. I’d rate it a solid 3.5 out of 5.
