Netflix’s People We Meet On Vacation: A Sun-Soaked Rom-Com for Winter
Netflix’s latest romantic comedy, inspired by Emily Henry’s bestselling novel, follows two friends whose annual holidays together spark questions about love and timing. Streaming globally from 9 January.
Emily Bader, recently seen in My Lady Jane, steps into the role of Poppy in Netflix’s fresh romantic comedy, People We Meet On Vacation. She’s joined by Tom Blyth—recognisable to many as the young President Snow from The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes—who plays Alex. The pair bring to life a story adapted from Emily Henry’s much-loved book, offering a dose of escapism just as the post-festive gloom sets in.
It’s an unusual choice, perhaps, to launch a film about sun-drenched getaways and summer adventures in the heart of January. Yet, there’s something rather appealing about the prospect of vicariously travelling through someone else’s holiday snaps while the weather outside remains resolutely grey. The film’s premise is simple enough: two friends, living in separate cities, reunite every year for a shared summer break. Over a decade, their annual tradition becomes a fixture, a ritual that neither seems willing to abandon.
Unlikely Friends, Unspoken Questions
Poppy is the free spirit, always chasing the next adventure, while Alex is the sort who prefers a plan and a bit of routine. Their differences, rather than driving them apart, have kept their friendship lively and unpredictable. For years, they’ve managed to keep things strictly platonic, even as those around them wonder if there’s more beneath the surface.
As the official synopsis puts it,
‘Free-spirited Poppy (Bader) and routine-loving Alex (Blyth) have been unlikely best friends for a decade, living in different cities but spending every summer vacation together. The careful balance of their friendship is put to the test when they begin to question what has been obvious to everyone else – could they actually be the perfect romantic match?’
The film leans into the tension of that question, letting it simmer through sunlit scenes and awkward silences.
Escapism for the Winter Months
There’s a certain charm in watching two people tiptoe around their feelings, especially when set against a backdrop of beaches, cocktails, and the sort of travel mishaps that only seem funny in hindsight. The timing of the release feels almost deliberate—a reminder that summer will return, eventually, and with it the possibility of new beginnings.
For those in need of a break from the usual January fare, People We Meet On Vacation offers a bit of warmth and wit. The chemistry between Bader and Blyth is quietly compelling, never tipping into melodrama. Instead, the film finds its rhythm in the small moments: a shared joke, a missed connection, the lingering glance that says more than words ever could.
Streaming Now
Available to stream from 9 January, this adaptation brings a touch of summer to the winter months. Whether you’re a fan of the original novel or simply in the mood for a gentle, sunlit romance, it’s a welcome addition to the platform’s line-up. And if you’re searching for more to watch, there’s no shortage of options to keep you entertained until the days grow longer.