“Like a good book or an incredible outfit, being on vacation transports you to another version of yourself” (Henry, 172).
The People We Meet on Vacation, a popular novel and recently adapted movie by Emily Henry, certainly achieved this phenomenon. The story follows best friends (and polar opposites) Poppy Wright and Alex Nilsen. Henry’s novel starts in the present day, where 30 year old Poppy and Alex aren’t speaking. When the two are both invited to the same wedding, they are forced into close proximity once again. Reading flashbacks from their previous vacations together, we learn how the two came to be so close, and how they fell apart. A beloved beach read, The People We Meet on Vacation is a story of love, laughter, and a whole lot of heartbreak.
Released on January 9th, 2026, the expectations for this movie were high. With stars Tom Blythe and Emily Bader, the acting was expected to be impeccable. The book laid out a perfect plot, and already had a large fanbase.
Unfortunately, the film is not at all an accurate adaptation of the adored New York Times bestseller. Scenes were cut, details were missing, and plot points essential to character development were nowhere to be found.
Due to the time constraints of a movie, many, many details are missing. I narrowed it down to what I felt was the biggest change: Poppy’s childhood was severely overlooked.
In a brief conversation in the movie, the audience learns about Poppy’s isolated high school experience. Poppy lacked friends after an unfortunate rumor was spread, and has stayed far away from her hometown ever since. The conversation is sad, albeit surface level. It makes Poppy seem dramatic and unwilling to move on from silly high school gossip. In the book, the reader discovers more about Poppy. Teased for being eccentric and relentlessly bullied, the reader is able to understand Poppy’s yearning for adventure after being stuck in her hometown, something that the movie wasn’t able to get across. Missing the mark on Poppy’s motivations prevents the movie from diving deeper into her character and portrays a lack of emotional connection between Alex and Poppy.
Blythe and Bader didn’t disappoint: the acting was off the charts.
Audiences have seen Tom Blythe before, although he was blond and had a buzz cut. In Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023), he played Coriolanus Snow and knocked it out of the park. Alex Nielson, however, couldn’t be more different than Snow. Rather than intimidating and villainous, Nilsen is lovable and responsible (if not slightly uptight). Blythe excelled, displaying his range as an actor. My Lady Jane (2024) actress Emily Bader was perfectly cast. She’s easy going, smiley, loud, and can talk at Poppy’s ridiculously fast cadence. During serious scenes, Bader always has a hint of a smile on her face, emphasizing Poppy’s inability to take life seriously. The two have amazing chemistry; it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing this duo.
The movie redeems itself with the soundtrack; it fit the mood perfectly. Released in 1988, Paula Abdul’s “I’m Forever Your Girl” has become the theme song. Upbeat and unapologetic, Poppy sings it unabashedly in the airport. It captures Poppy’s personality: fun, energetic, and unrelentingly loyal. Other songs include “august” by Taylor Swift, describing the fantastical summers that Poppy and Alex experience together, and “Cool About It” by BoyGenius, highlighting the emotional rift of the pair after a falling out. The movie incorporated songs – new and old – seamlessly.
If you enjoyed the book, I do recommend this movie. Although it’s not a direct adaptation, it’s worth it for Bader’s and Blythe’s performances, as well as seeing favorite characters come to life. The rating is PG-13, so proceed with caution! If you’re looking for a quick, feel-good movie, I’d recommend The People We Meet on Vacation.
