Friendship can be a little confusing on vacation. In the movie “People We Meet on Vacation,” two longtime friends go on a vacation together every year, where they learn more about each other and themselves. “People We Meet on Vacation” is originally a book by Emily Henry, adapted into a Netflix movie released on Jan. 9, 2026. The characters of the movie, Poppy Wright (Emily Bader) and Alex Nilsen (Tom Blyth), show what it is like to have a true best friend; even when they fight, they still stay strong.
The actors, Bader and Blyth, portray a bond that can’t be broken. The movie shows how strong their friendship is and how close they are with each other’s families. Bader and Blyth fit their characters so well, and it’s seen throughout the movie. Poppy wants to explore the world, but Alex wants to stay home and read books. Somehow, they became best friends and decided to spend a week together on vacation.
The movie’s setting is really outstanding, as it shows where Poppy and Alex are on vacation and how long ago they were there. In the movie, Poppy and Alex traveled to different places: New Orleans, Barcelona, Tuscany, Croatia, and Canada. The lighting in the movie was good; it wasn’t too bright, and it was just right for the movie. Throughout, the movie was warm and romantic.
The plot of “People We Meet on Vacation” can be hard to understand because goes back and forth between the “10 years ago” moments and the present time. The movie’s music perfectly captures the chemistry between Poppy and Alex and their enduring feelings for each other. “People We Meet on Vacation” is not a simple movie; parts of it can be confusing, but it still captures the romantic feeling between two best friends.
Even though the movie has a lot going on, it is still a captivating watch. Two longtime best friends decided to go on a week-long vacation every year. On vacations, they learn more about themselves and about each other than they knew.
