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Romance novels often live and breathe in the quiet spaces of thought, hesitation and emotional what ifs. Translating that kind of intimacy to the screen is never easy, especially when the story is driven as much by inner conflict as grand gestures. That is the challenge Netflix takes on with People We Meet on Vacation, adapted from the hugely popular novel by Emily Henry.
The film stars Emily Bader as Poppy Wright, a free spirited travel writer, and Tom Blyth as Alex Nilsen. Credit: IMDb
The film stars Emily Bader as Poppy Wright, a free spirited travel writer, and Tom Blyth as Alex Nilsen, a cautious and tightly wound school teacher. Like the book, the story spans more than a decade, following the pair as they take one holiday together every year and slowly realise that their friendship may be something more. But in moving from page to screen, several key changes reshape how their story unfolds.
Here are the biggest ways Netflix’s People We Meet on Vacation movie differs from the book.
Fewer trips and a tighter timeline
Emily Henry’s novel looks back on ten summers of travel, with each trip revealing something new about Poppy and Alex’s bond. The story is told entirely from Poppy’s point of view, allowing readers to sit with her thoughts, doubts and growing feelings.
The movie condenses this structure significantly. Several destinations are removed or merged to keep the story moving
The movie condenses this structure significantly. Several destinations are removed or merged to keep the story moving, with locations like Nashville and Vail no longer part of the timeline. Important emotional moments are combined, including the pair’s kiss, which now takes place in Tuscany instead of Croatia. While the film still jumps between past and present, the streamlined approach keeps the focus on momentum rather than reflection.
Barcelona replaces Palm Springs
One of the most dramatic sections of the book unfolds in Palm Springs, where everything goes wrong. Broken air conditioning during a heatwave, a disastrous hotel experience and near medical emergencies all force Poppy and Alex to confront their unresolved feelings in uncomfortable ways.
Emily Henry’s humour is subtle, rooted in sharp dialogue and awkward silences. The movie chooses a louder, more visual (and typically rom-com) style of comedy. Credit: IMDb
In the film, this chaotic chapter is replaced by a trip to Barcelona. The emotional stakes remain high, but the setting is far more romantic and polished. Instead of spiralling mishaps, the focus shifts to physical chemistry and emotional tension, making the turning point feel sleeker and more cinematic.
Comedy takes centre stage
Emily Henry’s humour is subtle, rooted in sharp dialogue and awkward silences. The movie chooses a louder, more visual (and typically rom-com) style of comedy. Several scenes are rewritten to generate big laughs, including food related mishaps, exaggerated misunderstandings. Supporting characters also play a larger role in the humour. Poppy’s parents, played by Molly Shannon and Alan Ruck, are given expanded scenes that add levity but shift the tone away from the emotional hook that made Henry's book such a classic.
One of the most significant differences lies in how Poppy’s personal journey is handled.
Romantic rivals matter more on screen
In the novel, Poppy and Alex’s other relationships exist largely on the edges of the story. Alex’s long term girlfriend Sarah and Poppy’s boyfriends are not the true reason the pair stay stuck as friends. Their biggest obstacle is fear, particularly the fear of losing each other.The movie leans into a more familiar rom-com structure by giving these romantic partners greater importance. They become clearer barriers to Poppy and Alex getting together, adding external conflict where the book focused more on internal hesitation.
One of the most significant differences lies in how Poppy’s personal journey is handled.
Poppy’s inner conflict is simplified
One of the most significant differences lies in how Poppy’s personal journey is handled. The book spends considerable time exploring her fear of settling down, her anxiety about being too much, and her uncertainty about what she really wants from her career and relationships. Therapy and self reflection are key to her growth. In the movie, much of this introspection is compressed. Poppy’s emotional realisation is largely saved for her final speech, rather than being explored gradually. The result is a clearer but less layered character arc.Both versions end with Poppy travelling to Ohio to finally tell Alex how she feels. However, the film heightens the drama. After quitting her dream job, Poppy arrives only to discover Alex is out for a run, wearing noise cancelling headphones that call back to an earlier joke. What follows is a classic rom com chase and confession. Poppy declares that Alex is not a vacation to her but home, a line lifted almost directly from the book. The film then flashes forward to show the couple building a life together in New York, offering a neat and emotionally satisfying conclusion.
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Mallika Bhagat is a journalist with over eight years of experience at leading print and digital publications like The Times of India, Hindustan Times,... View More