‘People We Meet on Vacation’ Review: Netflix Adapts Emily Henry’s Hit Romance

Emily Henry has released her romance novels year after year since 2020, and they have become a phenomenon since her breakthrough in the literary world. People We Meet on Vacation will be one of the three adaptations of Emily Henry’s books being developed by Netflix. Funny Story and Happy Place are the two projects currently in production. For now, there is no information about casting or a release date. Her books Beach Read and Book Lovers would also receive adaptations, although at the moment the only thing known is who their screenwriters will be. In the first case, Beach Read will be written by Yulin Kuang, who is one of the writers of People We Meet on Vacation. In the second case, the writer of Book Lovers will be Sarah Heyward, known for her work on HBO’s Girls and Prime Video’s Modern Love.

The author has said many times that she was influenced by 90s romantic comedies such as You’ve Got Mail (1998), While You Were Sleeping (1996) and Notting Hill (1999). For People We Meet on Vacation the biggest inspiration was When Harry Met Sally (1989). Themes such as long-term friendship and the slow development of love between the protagonists are very clear. The most unique detail is that the author took the personalities of the two leads and switched them.

What is it about?

The story begins with Poppy, our main character, who must reconnect with Alex, her former best friend, and someone she has not spoken to for some time. The reason for the reunion is a wedding in Barcelona. We do not know the reason for their separation, but we can guess what might have happened.

We then move to a flashback of the moment they first met. Just like in When Harry Met Sally, they need to take a road trip together. From their very first interaction we can see their personalities clearly revealed. Poppy is spontaneous and outgoing, while Alex is calmer, more reserved and organized. That slightly chaotic trip brings them together, and they form a friendship that lasts through the years, with a promise to see each other every summer without exceptions.

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The film takes place in two timelines. In the present they are distant from each other, and in the past we move forward year after year, watching how their friendship evolves over nearly a decade. The key turning point is discovering what happened two years earlier and why they stopped talking. The heart of this story lies in the bond and affection that grow between them, and in how their friendship becomes stronger with each trip. We see their connection deepen, and we also see them grow as individuals.

Strengths and things that do not work

The clearest strength of this film is the chemistry between its leads. Bader and Blynt shine in every scene, whether they are dancing in New Orleans or exploring a craft market in the Canadian woods. The script is not extraordinary and relies on several familiar clichés of the genre. For example, it includes the classic kiss in the rain.

The same thing happens visually. There is nothing bold or particularly distinctive, and that is fine because the film does not aim to be anything else. Even though it takes inspiration from one of the most iconic films in the genre, directed by Rob Reiner, I do not think it intends to reach that level. Its presentation feels closer to the relaxed and cheerful romantic comedies of the early 2000s. It shares the spirit of films like 13 Going on 30 (2004) and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), movies in which perfection is not the focus, but rather joy and fun. These films may not always receive support from critics, but they usually do from audiences, who revisit them year after year and keep them alive.

Now we can only wait to see if this new adaptation manages to stand out over time or if it will be forgotten within the Red N catalog. Time will tell. From here, we give it a positive recommendation.

Our rating for People We Meet On Vacation

Technical information

• People We Meet On Vacation (2026)
• Director: Brett Haley
• Screenplay: Yulin Kuang, Amos Vernon, Nunzio Randazzo, based on the novel by Emily Henry
• Cast: Emily Bader, Tom Blyth, Sarah Catherine Hook, Lucien Laviscount, Miles Heizer, Jameela Jamil, Molly Shannon and others
• Cinematography: Rob Givens
• Editing: Evan Henke
• Music: Keegan DeWitt
• Running time: 117 minutes