Why I Loved People We Meet On Vacation

If you have been following this blog for a while, you know that Emily Henry is basically the patron saint of my bookshelves. When I first read People We Meet on Vacation back in 2021, I did not just read it; I lived in it. I felt every ounce of Poppy’s vibrant displacement and Alex’s steady, quiet devotion.

Naturally, when Netflix announced the film adaptation, I spent months oscillating between wild excitement and that protective "don't break my heart" anxiety. But now that I have finally seen it? My heart isn't broken. Instead, it is very, very full.

The Magic of Emily Bader

Can we talk about Emily Bader for a second? Because I am officially starting the fan club. Going into the movie, I had my own mental image of Poppy Wright: the colorful, chaotic, travel-writing whirlwind. But the moment Emily Bader appeared on screen, she became Poppy.

What struck me most was not just her comedic timing (which is impeccable), but her vulnerability. There is a specific kind of "EmHen" magic that requires a lead actress to be funny and messy while hiding a deep, aching loneliness, and Bader nailed it. I was honestly in awe of her throughout the film. I was specifically captivated by those close-up shots where her eyes are swimming with tears. Whether it was the heartbreak of the "Norway incident" or the realization that she might lose her best friend, those tear-filled eyes conveyed a decade of pining without her having to say a single word. She made Poppy feel like a real girl you would want to grab a cocktail with, not just a character in a rom-com.

Tom Blyth: The Ultimate Human Khaki

Opposite her, Tom Blyth as Alex Nilsen was the perfect grounded foil. He managed to make "boring" look incredibly endearing. He captured that very specific Alex energy: the guy who organizes his socks but would also fly across the world just because you sounded a little sad on the phone.

The chemistry between Bader and Blyth felt earned. It was not just "movie magic" heat; it felt like two people who have a million inside jokes and a shorthand language that no one else speaks.

That New Orleans Dance Sequence

If there is one scene that perfectly captures the "will they or won't they" tension of this story, it is the New Orleans flashback. The dance sequence on that humid, jazz-filled night was absolute perfection.

There is something so intimate about the way the camera lingers on them in that crowded room. It captures that exact moment when a friendship starts to shift into something much heavier and more terrifying. In this scene specifically, Emily Bader’s expression is luminous. You can see the exact second her heart realizes it has found its home, and the chemistry between her and Tom Blyth in that moment is enough to make anyone breathless.

Why the Travel Aesthetic Works

Visually, the movie is a total feast. Director Brett Haley (who also gave us the wonderful All the Bright Places) leans into the "vacation" of it all. From the sun-drenched streets of Barcelona to the nostalgic, grainy filters of their college years, every frame feels like a postcard.

• The Contrast: I loved how the film used color to differentiate their lives. Poppy’s world is a riot of neons and patterns, while Alex’s world is muted and structured. Seeing those two palettes collide on screen was such a clever nod to their "opposites attract" dynamic.

• The Wardrobe: If you see me wearing a yellow sundress and a floppy hat all summer, mind your business. The costume design perfectly mirrored Poppy’s evolution from a struggling kid from Ohio to a New York "it-girl" who still doesn't quite feel at home.

Final Thoughts: Book vs. Screen

While the movie moves the "big trip" from the book's Palm Springs setting to a destination wedding in Spain, the soul of the story remains untouched. It is a story about the terrifying realization that you can travel the entire world and still find that "home" is actually just a person.

If you loved the book for its pining, its humor, and its heart, you are going to adore this. Bring tissues! Not because it is a tragedy, but because Emily Bader’s performance will make your heart squeeze in the best way possible.

If you enjoyed this deep dive, there is plenty more where that came from! I am always sharing my latest favorites and creative projects. For more book and TV recommendations, short stories I write, or even exclusive teasers for my upcoming books, make sure to sign up for my newsletter. It is the best way to keep up with all the cozy, bookish updates I share throughout the month.

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Happy reading and watching,

Eve x

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