Web page-to-screen variations are at all times troublesome to grasp, and the adjustments to Netflix’s Individuals on Trip show that despite the fact that Emily Henry’s ebook has the proper romantic comedy aptitude, there have been some issues that needed to be modified to make the story work. Adapting from web page to display is nothing new. Variations have been taking place for so long as tales have existed, however the streaming period has given them new momentum from web page to display.
A bestseller that debuted in 2021, Henry’s novel is a superb work of fiction that mixes romance, comedy, and literary fiction, however from the second Netflix introduced the movie adaptation, it was clear that the movie adaptation of the ebook would deliver some adjustments. Romantic comedies work each on display and in print, however every medium has totally different necessities for fulfillment.
The movie model of Individuals We Meet On Trip primarily does precisely the identical factor because the novel. The movie tells the story of two associates, Alex Nilsson (Tom Bryce) and Poppy Wright (Emily Bader), whose custom is to spend a grand, expansive trip collectively, however their lives take very totally different instructions and their relationship adjustments in sudden methods.
The message is similar, however novels can discover elements of characters that films haven’t got the time or area to discover, and flicks can present a heady visible vitality that solely novels can grasp. Whereas we all know that each are well-made, Netflix’s Individuals We Meet On Trip has some main variations from the unique.
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Historical past of Alex and Poppy’s friendship
Historical past of Alex and Poppy’s friendship
In Henry’s novel, Poppy and Alex’s relationship begins throughout freshman orientation week on the College of Chicago. Poppy and Alex do not communicate till the tip of the college 12 months, however they’ve recognized one another since first grade. Each the ebook and the film are set on a highway journey again to Linfield, Ohio, “When Harry Met Sally” model, and the film’s change is in timing.
Within the novel, Alex and Poppy drive again to Ohio collectively after which develop a friendship all through the following 12 months earlier than truly touring collectively for the primary time. Within the Netflix film, each characters are finding out at Boston College after they take the fateful automobile journey again to Ohio. The motel scene the place Alex and Poppy get to know one another within the film was an addition.
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Poppy’s invitation to Alex’s brother’s wedding ceremony
Poppy’s invitation to Alex’s brother’s wedding ceremony
Henry’s novel has a barely extra complicated setting, with Alex and Poppy coming collectively for his or her brother’s wedding ceremony. The marriage continues to be a serious piece of the puzzle, however within the written model of The Holidays, Poppy just isn’t invited to the marriage, and David (Miles Heiser) has not reached out to see if she is going to attend.
As an alternative, Poppy reaches out to Alex after years of silence and presents to take him on a piece journey, hoping they will rekindle their friendship. Alex tells her he’ll Palm Springs for his brother’s wedding ceremony and invitations her as an alternative. Poppy accepts it regardless of the lies.
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Alex and Poppy’s household construction
Alex and Poppy’s household construction
In Henry’s novel, the writer is ready to broaden significantly on what life is like for Alex and Poppy outdoors of their friendship. Whereas within the movie it’s revealed that Alex’s mom died when he was younger, leaving him along with his father and older brother, issues are markedly totally different within the novel. Equally, Poppy’s household can be a lot smaller within the movie than within the novel.
Within the pages of Individuals We Meet On Trip, the reader learns that Alex has three youthful brothers, and David is the youngest. Within the novel, the strain on Alex is even heavier resulting from household pursuits. Poppy’s mother and father, performed by Alan Ruck and Molly Shannon within the movie, seem rather more within the novel, as do her two youthful brothers, Prince and Parker, who had been lower from the movie.
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Alex and Poppy’s (much less) traveled areas
Alex and Poppy’s (much less) traveled areas
Journey within the movie model of Individuals We Meet On Trip differs barely from the unique, because the ebook permits for extra location adjustments. Within the ebook, it’s said that Alex and Poppy took 9 summer season journeys previous to their foray into Palm Springs. Their adventures in Vancouver Island, Colorado, Tuscany and Croatia are featured prominently on this web page.
Within the film model of Individuals We Meet On Trip, there’s a little much less backwards and forwards between Alex and Poppy. The pair visited Squamish, New Orleans, and Tuscany within the movie, and their closing journey was to Barcelona. The adjustments do not essentially make issues worse, however they modify the timing of the story a bit.
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Alex’s characterization is not that deep.
Alex’s characterization is not that deep.
One of many greatest adjustments in Individuals You Meet on Trip is that Alex’s character is considerably lowered, which regularly disrupts his actions. Though we see on web page and display that Alex’s mom died at a younger age, the movie model of Alex does not have the identical disappointment because the ebook model.
Alex’s grief and sophisticated relationship along with his father are main items of the puzzle for his character, particularly contemplating he can solely chill out on trip with Poppy. The adjustments within the movie make it troublesome for Alex to let go and revel in himself, typically leaving him unable to totally perceive the place he is coming from. Whereas he mentioned it, he might have unraveled Alex’s drawback.
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Poppy’s deception about reuniting with Alex
Poppy’s deception about reuniting with Alex
On this ebook, Henry unfolds the layers of deception surrounding Poppy’s journey to Palm Springs. As an alternative of taking a time off for R&R from her boss Swapna, Poppy takes a time off to spend time with Alex and rents her personal Airbnb in Palm Springs. Poppy, who lied to Alex, should untangle a sophisticated drama earlier than they get to their mutual issues.
Not solely does the movie transfer the marriage to Barcelona, however it additionally utterly omits the lies surrounding Poppy’s enterprise journey. As an alternative, Poppy lies to Alex that she is in Barcelona for work, which suggests she will be able to attend the marriage. The deception is not that robust, and I do not assume it is a mandatory addition.
The ending of Individuals We Meet On Trip on display exhibits Poppy quitting her R&R job after falling sick and heading to Linfield to determine what to do subsequent with Alex. It is clear that there was a while between Alex and Poppy’s reunion in Barcelona and their breakup, however it did not take lengthy for them to get again collectively.
Within the novel, Henry teases the strain a bit of longer. Poppy does not give up her job straight away, and after her relationship with Alex does not work out, she returns to New York and tries to type out her life. The ebook sees Poppy go to remedy and attempt to type out her emotions earlier than quitting her job and in search of Alex outdoors of her profession.
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The ultimate showdown between Sarah and Poppy
The ultimate showdown between Sarah and Poppy
Sarah Torvald (Sarah Katherine Hook) is launched as Alex’s on-again, off-again girlfriend early within the movie, however her character is way totally different and she or he ultimately confronts Poppy.
Within the movie, Sarah works at her household’s actual property firm in Linfield, and Alex mentions Sarah taking on sooner or later main as much as their engagement. On the finish of the movie, when Poppy sees Sarah in her flight attendant uniform on the airport, she is shocked to see how a lot has modified and understands Sarah’s level that she was not the issue between the previous couple.
Within the novel, Sarah is a trainer at Linfield Excessive College, and after a dialog together with her highschool bully, Poppy feels she has to apologize to somebody. Sarah urges Poppy to pursue Alex, and “Vacation Encounters” involves a heartfelt finish.
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Alex and Sara’s relationship has a distinct ending
Alex and Sara’s relationship has a distinct ending
Sarah is a distinct character than within the novel Individuals We Meet On Trip, so her relationship with Alex will even be totally different. Within the movie, Alex proposes to Sarah whereas in Tuscany, simply after Poppy virtually kisses him. Ultimately, this proposal causes a two-year rift, after Poppy condemns his actions.
Within the ebook, Poppy learns that Alex was planning to suggest to Sarah, however by no means truly proposed. He later tells Poppy that he broke up with Sarah earlier than proposing resulting from his emotions for her.
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Poppy and Alex haven’t got a cinematic reunion
Poppy and Alex haven’t got a cinematic reunion
The extraordinary closing scene of Individuals We Meet On Trip has all of the makings of an iconic romantic comedy, however it’s very totally different from how the ebook ends. Within the movie, Poppy flies to Linfield instantly after arriving at her New York house and quitting her job, and goes on an epic chase round her hometown with Alex and noise-cancelling headphones.
Within the ebook, Poppy takes a second to consider what has occurred to her life over the course of the novel, after which returns to Linfield to speak to Alex. After confessing his emotions for her in entrance of his co-workers at an area bar, Alex shuts Poppy down, however shortly goes after her to make amends. Individuals We Meet On Trip might have ended very otherwise.

launch date
January 8, 2026
runtime
109 minutes
director
Brett Haley
author
Yulin Kuan, Emily Henry, Nunzio Randazzo, Amos Vernon
producer
Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, Isaac Klausner











