As the new year rolled in, Netflix released a much-needed rom-com with the release of “People We Meet on Vacation.” It was directed by Brett Haley, who also directed “Hearts Beat Loud.” The movie is an adaptation of Emily Henry’s beloved bestseller. The movie doesn’t just replicate the book. In my opinion, it captures the “slow-burn” energy trope that many romance readers or watchers enjoy.

The heart of the film’s success are the actors. They did a really great job portraying the characters from the book and bringing them to the screen. Emily Bader, who plays the character of Poppy Wright, captured Poppy’s free-spirited energy, grounding her travel-writer wanderlust in a palpable sense of loneliness. Opposite to her character, Tony Blyth plays Alex Nilsen, who is more introverted and collected. He leans into Alex’s buttoned-up, introverted charm, showing that silence and a well-timed “Vacation Alex” who is more outgoing and carefree than just “Regular Alex.”

Poppy and Alex are polar opposites who maintain a tradition of taking a one week-long summer vacation together every year for a decade. But, they have a mysterious falling out two years ago leaving them estranged. As Alex’s brother is getting married, Poppy and Alex meet again two years later, forcing them to navigate the friendship they both lost and missed. They are made to confront whether their bond is truly platonic or if they’ve been running away from a deeper love. 

Henry said in an interview with the Tamron Hall Show that, “The film understands that a vacation isn’t just about the location; it’s about the person you’re trying to find yourself with.” 

While some people have noted that the film’s 117-minute runtime speeds through some of the book’s deeper emotional parts, I don’t agree with this. The movie tackled the vulnerability of growing and the pain of drifting apart. It’s something that is not very talked about in modern rom-coms. My favorite thing about the movie is the jumping back, forth, and between the disastrous “current” trip and a decade of summer memories.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the book or someone looking for a getaway, “People We Meet on Vacation” is a movie you won’t want to miss out on.