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 People We Meet on Vacation. (L-R) Emily Bader as Poppy and Tom Blyth as Alex in People We Meet on Vacation. Credit: Daniel Escale/Netflix © 2025

The new Netflix rom-com has fans saying the genre has been revived. (Image: Daniel Escale/Netflix)

Netflix fans say 'rom-com is so back' after falling for 'perfect' new film

Netflix's new rom-com adaptation of a beset-selling novel has fans smitten already

ByKimberly Nhundu and Liam Ryder

Netflix has just dropped a much-anticipated romantic adaptation and viewers are absolutely besotted.

Drawing from Emily Henry's chart-topping novel of the same name, People We Meet on Vacation is a classic friends-to-lovers story in a "perfect" film adaptation of the book.

The movie centres on improbable best friends Alex (portrayed by Tom Blyth) and Poppy (Emily Bader), who reunite each year during a summer getaway.

This ritual begins at university and continues for 10 years, but grinds to a halt when the pair begin wondering if they're actually destined for romance.

We won't reveal any spoilers here, but the two-hour picture is essential streaming for rom-com enthusiasts, featuring compelling turns from its lead actors, reports the Mirror.

Fans of the book can be confident that director Brett Haley collaborated extensively with Henry to guarantee beloved elements from the novel transferred to the screen.

And it appears his dedication hasn't gone unappreciated. The comedy has already secured an impressive 88% Rotten Tomatoes rating, with cinema-goers applauding it for treating the original material with sensitivity.

One devoted reader was so delighted they thanked Netflix for making the film. They wrote: "I am happy to say this movie exceeded all of my expectations. Everything about it was perfect. The casting was spot on, and both actors delivered incredible performances that brought the characters to life in such an authentic way.

"You could really feel the care and respect put into honouring the original story. Thank you so much for creating such an amazing adaptation. You all did an incredible job."

One viewer was full of praise for Blyth and Bader's performances, gushing: "I loved seeing Poppy and Alex. Both Emily and Tom did AMAZING at playing their characters. Rom-com is so back and one of the best romance authors is here to show it's not leaving any time soon."

Another fan shared their thoughts online, saying: "Watched this at the premiere and LET ME TELL YOU. Romcoms are back. It was comedic but also had me kicking my feet."

A different viewer chimed in: "People We Meet on Vacation has me smiling ear to ear and I'm not even half way through," while another raved: "10/10 I'm obsessed. The story was so beautiful I enjoyed it so much. The chemistry between Poppy and Alex was insane."