People We Meet on Vacation Movie Review: Emily Henry’s Beloved Romance Comes to Life
People We Meet on Vacation Movie Review: Emily Henry’s Beloved Romance Comes to Life
As a longtime Emily Henry reader, People We Meet on Vacation has always felt like one of those stories you carry with you. A book you reread not for the plot twists, but for the feelings: the longing, the timing, the quiet ache of two people who love each other before they’re brave enough to admit it. So when the movie adaptation was announced, I started counting down the days until Poppy and Alex finally stepped off the page and onto the screen.
This movie is undeniably made for book lovers, and especially for romance lovers. Whether you’ve loved Emily Henry’s novels for years or you’re simply craving a comforting rom-com, People We Meet on Vacation feels like a warm escape: imperfect, predictable, but deeply charming.
People We Meet on Vacation Movie Adaptation of Emily Henry’s Novel
Adapted from Emily Henry’s bestselling novel, the movie stays true to the core of the story: two best friends, years of shared vacations, and a slow-burning friends-to-lovers romance that unfolds over time and distance. Fans of the book will immediately recognize the emotional blueprint that made the novel so beloved.
Many of the most iconic scenes from the book are present, which makes watching the movie feel like revisiting familiar memories. At the same time, some scenes didn’t make the cut—an inevitable part of any adaptation, and one that will likely disappoint some longtime readers. Interestingly, the film also adds a few new moments that weren’t in the book. These additions are sweet, cinematic, and often work surprisingly well, even if purists might raise an eyebrow.
That said, while the movie captures the story, it doesn’t always capture the depth of it. As a reader, the tension, the aching silence, the years of unspoken love, the emotional restraint—felt stronger in the book. There was more yearning on the page, and I did miss that slow, painful build that made the novel hit so hard.
Poppy and Alex Casting: Emily Bader and Tom Blyth’s Chemistry
Casting can make or break a romance movie, and this is where People We Meet on Vacation truly shines. Emily Bader as Poppy and Tom Blyth as Alex were incredible. Their chemistry was immediate, believable, and electric in a quiet, intimate way. The energy between them felt natural, not forced—exactly what this story needed.
They perfectly embodied the contrast at the heart of the novel: Poppy’s vibrant, chaotic optimism paired with Alex’s calm, reserved steadiness. You understand why these two people orbit each other for years, even when life keeps pulling them in different directions. Their dynamic is the emotional backbone of the film, and it works.
Friends to Lovers Romance and Predictable Rom-Com Comfort
At its core, People We Meet on Vacation is a classic friends-to-lovers story. And yes, the storyline is predictable. You can see the ending coming from early on, especially if you’ve read the book or love the rom-com genre. But that predictability isn’t a flaw; it’s part of the comfort.
This is a movie you watch to feel safe in the outcome, to enjoy the journey rather than the surprise. It’s soft, romantic, and familiar in the best way. I laughed, I cried and this movie was everything I needed. Hopefully, movies like this signal a real comeback for romantic comedies because we deserve more stories that are allowed to be gentle, emotional, and sincere.
Travel Aesthetic and Beautiful Vacation Locations in the Movie
One of the most visually enjoyable aspects of the movie is the travel. Just like in the book, Poppy and Alex’s relationship unfolds across different destinations, and the film leans heavily into that escapism. Tuscany, Barcelona, Canada—each location is beautifully shot and adds to the sense of movement and time passing.
For anyone who loves travel or dreams of booking a vacation while scrolling Pinterest, this movie will make you want to pack your bags immediately. Watching such colorful, summery locations in the middle of winter felt almost cruel, but also oddly comforting. It made me crave sunshine, warmth, and adventure.
Releasing such a summer-coded movie in winter feels like an unusual choice, but at the same time, it’s a perfect cozy watch: a freezing Sunday, wrapped in a blanket, escaping into sun-drenched memories for a couple of hours.
People We Meet on Vacation doesn’t fully capture the emotional intensity of Emily Henry’s novel, but it does capture its heart. It’s a love letter to romance readers, to book lovers, and to anyone who believes that love can take time and that sometimes the right person has been there all along.
It’s not groundbreaking, and it won’t surprise you. But it’s charming, comforting, and filled with warmth. And with all of Emily Henry’s books set to be adapted, this movie feels like the beginning of something exciting for romance fans.
If this is the future of rom-coms, I’m ready to book my seat … and my next vacation.
