People We Meet on Vacation Parent Guide

Free spirited travel writer Poppy and by-the-book introvert Alex may be opposites, but they are the best of friends. Since meeting in college, every summer the pair take a trip together, or at least they did until two summers ago when a trip to Tuscany turned sour. They haven’t spoken since. 

With Alex’s brother getting married in Barcelona, the two are forced to interact for the first time since that fateful day. As they reminisce on summers past, Poppy starts to wonder if she travels constantly because she likes it, or because she’s running away from something that’s stopping her from living the life she wants. 

I’m a fan of Emily Henry’s books, though People We Meet on Vacation is one of the few I haven’t read. So, while I can’t speak directly to the adaptation of the source material, I am familiar with the author’s usual tone and characters, which this movie captures wonderfully. This is one of the better feel-good romance flicks I’ve seen in a long while. Yes, it is full of the tropes and cliches the genre is built on, but they are used in service of the story, rather than feeling forced out of obligation. Poppy and Alex are both realized, realistic characters with incredible chemistry. They make mistakes, they grow and change over the years, and their relationship feels earned and healthy. It also helps that the majority of the film takes place in a variety of picturesque locations, giving our eyes something to feast on aside from the attractive leads.

People We Meet on Vacation isn’t a perfect film, of course. There are some story elements that could have been explored in more depth; in particular, the ending could have used a little more resolution regarding the problems the couple have already identified as potential barriers. That said, it’s hard to fit everything in without bloating a runtime that already verges on being too long. However, the runtime doesn’t feel excessive, as the pacing keeps things moving along and nothing feels extraneous. 

Viewers will want to be aware that the PG-13 rating is well-earned, with some sexual material (though no nudity), a fair amount of swearing, and some drinking and smoking. Though not suitable for teens, adult genre fans are sure to enjoy this heart-warming, sweet story. It might just make you start planning your next vacation. 

About author

Savannah Sillito

Savannah Sillito is a librarian with a master's in library science, a bachelor's degree in English, and a certificate in early childhood education. She enjoys nonfiction books, travel, and is a staunch proponent of the Oxford comma.