The year 2026 is turning a new page in film adaptations of books. Is Hollywood out of ideas? Do authors just want to make hit movies or more money? Whatever the reason, I say keep the film adaptations coming. Whether it’s an edit on your TikTok For You page or Netflix’s current Top 10 list, the new book adaptation, “People We Meet on Vacation,” is everywhere for a reason.
Debuting with 17.2 million views on its opening weekend, this rom-com follows Alex and Poppy, two friends who meet for a memorable vacation every year. The movie jumps back and forth in time between their annual vacations nine years ago and more recent trips two years ago, where Alex and Poppy seem to have had a falling out for an unseen reason. This mystery leaves you confused and intrigued by what could have happened right from the start.
Despite Poppy originally being blonde in the book, actor Emily Bader was the perfect choice for the movie role, encapsulating Poppy’s energetic and quirky characteristics, while still showing the complex insecurities she faces, bringing the book’s magic to life. Her amazing chemistry with love interest Alex, played by Tom Blyth, added emotion to the movie. The two characters are complete opposites, yet still a perfect fit. Their dynamic had everyone obsessing over them in the book, and couldn’t have translated better on the big screen.
However, making a movie based on a book is a difficult line to walk, as it requires balancing book accuracy while cramming 400 pages’ worth of content into a two-hour film. Because of this, many people go into the movie with predetermined expectations, which has caused book adaptations like The “Percy Jackson” film series and “The Goldfinch” movie to fail.
I found that comparison is a thief of joy with this film. Overall, most aspects were well curated, from the cast and settings to the costumes and soundtrack. The song “Forever Your Girl” by Paula Abdul will be on repeat for at least the next month! However, because it’s based on a book, some of the plot was missed in the film. If you go in without having read the book, the movie is truly great, but knowing the deeper details and complex background that weren’t touched on makes it harder to fully enjoy if you have read the book.
Despite this, I still thoroughly enjoyed the movie. It’s lively, heartwarming and has strong rewatch potential, which is essential for a rom-com. The dance scene in New Orleans was one of my favorites, where Poppy helps Alex come out of his shell. The film incorporates additional iconic scenes from the book, like the rain scene, while adding new elements, such as the repeating symmetry between what the characters hate and love when they first meet and at the end. “People We Meet on Vacation” proves that when done right, book-to-film adaptations don’t replace the story; they let it reach new audiences.
