Thescreescore – Netflix is kicking off its 2026 film slate with a resounding success, as the highly anticipated adaptation of Emily Henry’s beloved novel, People We Meet on Vacation, has garnered an impressive 87% Rotten Tomatoes score from initial reviews. This marks a significant milestone as the first cinematic venture based on the works of Henry, a novelist who has captivated millions and redefined contemporary romance literature over the past decade.
Henry’s meteoric rise to literary stardom began with her 2020 sensation, Beach Read, which not only became a New York Times bestseller but also achieved viral status on BookTok during the pandemic, cementing her place as a dominant voice in the genre. People We Meet on Vacation, her 2021 follow-up, quickly mirrored this success, making its journey to the screen a highly anticipated event for her vast readership.
Despite the inherent familiarity often found in the romantic comedy genre, critics have largely lauded People We Meet on Vacation for its undeniable charm and the captivating chemistry of its lead actors. Molly Freeman, in her glowing review for thescreescore.com, awarded the film a near-perfect 9 out of 10, praising its nostalgic embrace of classic rom-com tropes. Freeman particularly highlighted how the intricate, evolving friendship between the protagonists forms the emotional core of the narrative, commending Tom Blyth and Emily Bader for their authentic portrayals that make Alex and Poppy "feel real." Her assessment concluded that "Like all the best classic romantic comedies, Poppy and Alex’s story is sure to capture the hearts of everyone who watches People We Meet On Vacation."
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Starring Tom Blyth (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) and Emily Bader (My Lady Jane) as the central duo, Alex and Poppy, the film traces a decade of annual summer vacations between two seemingly opposite college best friends. Their tradition is shattered by a disastrous trip to Croatia, leading to a two-year silence, which they attempt to mend with one final, make-or-break journey. Director Brett Haley helms the project, working from a screenplay by Yulin Kuang, Amos Vernon, and Nunzio Randazzo, with Henry herself serving as an executive producer. The ensemble cast further boasts talents such as Sarah Catherine Hook, Jameela Jamil, Lucien Laviscount, Lukas Gage, Molly Shannon, and Miles Heizer.
This early critical triumph for People We Meet on Vacation bodes exceptionally well for the burgeoning slate of Emily Henry adaptations. With four more of her novels already in various stages of development for the big screen, including Beach Read and Book Lovers, Netflix is clearly doubling down on its partnership with the author. The streamer has also announced plans to adapt Funny Story and Happy Place, with Henry directly involved in the screenwriting process for both. Audiences eager to embark on Alex and Poppy’s journey can mark their calendars: People We Meet on Vacation premieres globally on Netflix on January 9, 2026.
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