After what felt like a never-ending break from watching movies and reviewing them online, I am finally back with one of the most talked-about rom-coms on the internet this year, and I had such a good time watching it.
Movie Details
Title: People We Meet On Vacation
Genre: Romance-Comedy
Release Date: 9 January, 2026
Main Cast: Emily Bader, Tom Blyth, Sarah Catherine, Jameela Jamil, Lucien Laviscount, Miles Heizer, Lukas Gage.
Synopsis
People We Meet On Vacation is an impressive movie adaptation of Emily Henry’s bestselling novel. It tells the story of two best friends, Poppy and Alex, whose differing personalities draw them together. Emily Bader as Poppy, is a funny, carefree, young travel-writer who prioritizes her job above everything else, while Tom Blyth as Alex, is a homely and reserved Grad school student who values family, routines, and work stability. Their differences show clearly in how they move through life in the opposite direction.
Their first meeting happens in the most bizarre way, leaving Alex to deal with the excesses of a loud and free-spirited woman all through their first trip. What begins as an awkward encounter grows into a refreshing friendship built on love, care and shared travels. The movie takes the audience through a journey of friendship, romance, freewill, and the common issues that surfaces when two friends decide to choose each other regardless of every other person in the room.
My Verdict
People We Meet On Vacation is one of the most pleasing rom-coms I have seen in a long time. It feels like a breath of fresh air after being used to noisy and tasteless performances. Although the storyline leans towards predictable romance, the acting remained consistent and superb.
Poppy's electrifying energy was perfect for this movie as it made her an unforgettable character. Alex, on the other hand, delivered his role exactly as intended - Soft, mature, and grounded as an adult. Poppy’s parents were weirdly funny, and it was easy to see where her humor comes from. The performance from her boss also stood out, striking the perfect balance between authority and warmth.
That said, I think Poppy’s energy felt a little overwhelming for Alex. It seemed like he struggled to match her intensity, and this slightly affected their on-screen chemistry. Some parts of the film also felt rushed. In essence, I think the story could have benefited from some additional scenes to deepen the already existing ones, and in that sense, I believe a series format might have worked better.
I also think that characters like Sarah needed more screen time or at least more insight into her personality, considering her long-standing relationship with Alex.
The cinematography, the travel destinations, humor, and most especially, the final romance scenes between Poppy and Alex were beautifully directed. As a standalone movie without reference to the book, I would rate it a solid 8 out of 10. So, if you enjoy rom-coms, particularly the friends-to-lovers trope, this is a movie you should see. I fully recommend it.
All screenshots used in this post are mine. When they're not, I make sure to credit the source.
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