Key Insights

• Emily Henry’s Adaptations: The first film adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation has received positive reviews.
• Critical Reception: The movie holds a fresh 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes after initial reviews.
• Fan-Favorite Characters: Poppy and Alex’s chemistry is highlighted as a strong point in the film.
• Future Projects: More adaptations of Emily Henry’s novels are in development, with high expectations set by this release.

People We Meet on Vacation is the first book in the Emily Henry universe to be turned into a movie and the reviews are very positive so far!

Emily has become a fan-favorite rom-com author over the past six years, with books like “Beach Read,” “Happy Place,” and “Funny Story” all becoming best-sellers.

The first five of Emily‘s adult romance novels have all been optioned for adaptations, with Netflix releasing People We Meet on Vacation and set to turn Happy Place and Funny Story into movies as well. Beach Read was optioned by 20th Century Studios and Book Lovers was optioned by production company Tango Entertainment.

In Vacation, free-spirited Poppy (Emily Bader) and routine-loving Alex (Tom 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?

So, what are critics saying?

Keep reading to find out more…

The movie debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with a fresh 90% rating after the first 10 reviews went live.

Collider – 9 out of 10: “If you’re watching for Poppy and Alex above everyone else (and why wouldn’t you be?), People We Meet on Vacation largely succeeds at adapting one of BookTok’s most-loved romance novels. While the film itself doesn’t quite veer into the same devastatingly angsty territory that Henry’s books tend to reach, there are just enough subtly pining looks and callbacks to the source material — including a gorgeously shot rain-soaked climax that visually and emotionally hits all the right notes — to satisfy viewers on the lookout for fan-favorite scenes.

The Hollywood Reporter – Positive: “People We Meet on Vacation isn’t meant to be a travel brochure. It’s a romantic comedy, and whatever its flaws elsewhere, it works best where it counts most — in the chemistry between the two leads.”

<em>The New York Times</em> – Positive: “Occasionally cute and almost instantly forgettable, People, tidily directed by Brett Haley, offers less-than-witty dialogue and flyby turns by Alan Ruck and a typically excessive Molly Shannon as Poppy’s parents.”

Variety – Positive: ” Brett Haley’s slight, sunny film tips its hat overtly if optimistically to ‘When Harry Met Sally,’ as it ponders the age-old question of whether straight men and women can maintain platonic relations.”

Deadline – Positive: “As the first adaptation of a Henry novel (there are four more in the works) to cross the finish line, People We Meet on Vacation sets the bar high for future projects, visually, sonically and via its star-studded cast.”

Blu-Ray.com – 7 out of 10: “People We Meet on Vacation isn’t completely successful when it comes to shaking up romantic comedy expectations, but Haley gets most of the way there with help from stars Emily Bader and Tom Blyth, who bring charm and energy to the offering.”

InBetweenDrafts.com – 7 out of 10: “Easily digestible with just enough well-earned heart and a bubbly and committed lead performance, People We Meet on Vacation goes beyond serviceable to earn its moments of delight. The film manages to engage with our gooey centers just enough to concoct the genuinely enjoyable cocktail of escapism.”

The Guardian – 2 out of 5: “Emily Henry’s hit book has been adapted into a glossily made yet charmless attempt to resurrect the friends-to-lovers formula.”

Watch the trailer now and catch the film on Netflix beginning on January 9.