People We Meet on Vacation

People We Meet on Vacation is a romantic comedy directed by Brett Haley and adapted from Emily Henry’s bestselling 2021 novel by screenwriters Yulin Kuang, Amos Vernon, and Nunzio Randazzo. The story tracks the dynamic between two polar opposites: Poppy Wright (Emily Bader), an adventurous, free-spirited travel journalist based in New York City, and Alex Nilsen (Tom Blyth), a routine-loving, introverted high school English teacher who prefers staying rooted in their Ohio hometown.

Despite their contrasting lifestyles and opposing personalities, Poppy and Alex forge a deep, platonic bond after sharing a ride home during their college years at Boston College. For nearly a decade, they preserve an annual tradition: taking a one-week summer vacation together, traveling to different destinations around the world. However, two years prior to the film's present timeline, a mysterious rift during a trip severely damages their bond, leaving them estranged and leading Poppy into an existential and creative rut.

When Alex’s younger brother David (Miles Heizer) announces his wedding in Barcelona, Poppy seizes the opportunity to extend an olive branch. Reconnecting in Spain for one final shared trip, the two are forced to navigate unresolved feelings, lingering resentment, and the unspoken tension that threatens either to mend their bond or change it permanently.

The core thesis of the film is that true belonging is defined by the people we choose rather than the places we visit. Director Brett Haley examines the illusion of escapism, showing that running across the globe cannot replace genuine emotional vulnerability or self-acceptance. The film demonstrates that intimacy requires the courage to risk safety: remaining in the "safe harbor" of friendship out of fear of rejection often causes the very distance and loneliness one seeks to avoid.

Interpretations of the film include:

Released on Netflix on January 9, 2026, People We Meet on Vacation arrived as part of the broader streaming revival of classic-style romantic comedies, driven largely by the massive popularity of "BookTok" romance authors. The film demonstrated strong streaming performance, validating the market appetite for Emily Henry adaptations and establishing Emily Bader and Tom Blyth as prominent modern rom-com leads.

The film received generally positive to warm critical reviews, earning approximately 74% on Rotten Tomatoes. Aggregated feedback highlights:

• Praised Elements: The natural on-screen chemistry between Emily Bader and Tom Blyth, faithful adherence to Emily Henry's novel and witty dialogue, and a warm, sunlit visual aesthetic.
• Criticisms: The nonlinear timeline jumps occasionally slowed pacing, and the film relied heavily on familiar romantic comedy tropes such as forced proximity and "one bed / one tent."
• Verdict: A satisfying, comforting modern romantic comedy that effectively captures the warmth and banter of its literary source material.