Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter

Alex and Poppy enjoy one of their many exciting vacations together.

Based on the bestselling novel “People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry, the 2026 movie adaptation, currently streaming on Netflix, attempts to bring a fan-favorite love story to life. And it largely succeeds.

Directed by Brett Haley, the film follows a woman named Poppy and a man named Alex, two college friends who initially can’t stand each other due to their completely opposite personalities. Despite their rocky start, they form an unlikely friendship and eventually create a tradition of taking annual vacations together. 

Through a series of trips — ranging from carefree adventures to emotionally complicated reunions — the film pieces together how their relationship grows, fractures and ultimately forces them to confront their true feelings.

The story unfolds non-linearly, jumping between different vacations across nine years — some to Canada, New Orleans and Italy. While this structure adds depth, it can also feel slightly confusing at first. A bit more context early on — especially explaining why Poppy and Alex started traveling together in the first place — would have made the narrative easier to follow. Still, once the story settles in, it becomes engaging and emotionally layered.

One of the film’s biggest strengths is its casting. Tom Blyth plays Alex with a quiet, grounded energy that contrasts well with Poppy’s bold personality. He captures Alex’s internal conflict and reserved nature effectively, making his decisions — while sometimes frustrating — feel believable. 

However, it’s Emily Bader who truly stands out. As Poppy, she completely steals the show. Bader perfectly embodies Poppy’s spontaneity, wanderlust and quirkiness, bringing a vibrant energy to every scene. 

One moment that especially stands out is Bader’s delivery of an emotional scene where Alex declares an end to their vacations together. Poppy, while usually extremely talkative, is suddenly at a loss for words. Instead of speaking, her emotions are written all over her face. The subtlety in Bader’s  acting is a powerful moment that highlights her performance. 

The contrast between Poppy and Alex is one of the most compelling parts of the film. She is impulsive and full of energy, whereas he is quiet and routine-oriented. Some viewers have criticized Poppy, calling her “too much” or even insufferable, but her piercing personality feels intentional. The film leans into the idea of embracing your “muchness” — that the right person won’t see you as too much, but instead as exactly enough. That theme adds emotional depth and makes their relationship feel meaningful.

One of the film’s most talked-about moments is a dance scene where Poppy wears a bright blue wig while dancing to Paula Abdul’s “Forever Your Girl.” The sequence is playful and full of energy, perfectly capturing Poppy’s vivacious personality. 

Many viewers have called it the most iconic scene of the film and it’s easy to see why — the combination of the music, the costume and the characters’ chemistry all make it unforgettable. The scene was so iconic that the song became viral among fans on social media platforms, showing just how memorable and beloved the moment has become. 

The movie also doesn’t shy away from showing their flawed decisions. Alex’s choice to continue vacationing with Poppy while in a serious relationship — and eventually ending his engagement — creates a sense of moral tension. As a viewer, it’s hard not to root for Poppy and Alex because of their chemistry, while still feeling bad for the fiancée caught in the middle. That emotional conflict makes the story more interesting and realistic. 

Visually, the movie is also strong. Each vacation feels distinct, with vibrant locations, colorful outfits and a sense of adventure that keeps the story exciting. Even so, the biggest issue is pacing. Trying to cover multiple years and trips into one movie makes certain relationships and turning points feel rushed.

This is why many audience members — and I am among them — suggest that the story may have worked better as a TV series. With each vacation as its own episode, there would have been more time to develop the characters, explore their choices, see the details of their vacations and fully build the emotional impact of their relationship. 

Audience reactions have been mixed. Non-book readers tend to enjoy the film as an entertaining, moving romance. As someone who hasn’t read the book, I enjoyed it and thought it was well crafted. 

However, fans of the novel have been much more critical. Many were disappointed by changes made in the adaptation, including alterations to important plot points, settings and relationship build-ups. For readers, these changes can feel like a loss of what made the story special in the first place. Going into the film with strong expectations from the book seems to make those differences stand out more. 

Ultimately, “The People We Meet on Vacation” succeeds as a romantic, visually engaging film with stellar acting, even if it moves quickly through its timeline. It’s a story about love, timing and the messy realities of relationships, and it makes for an entertaining watch whether or not you’ve read the book. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 Falcons