Web page-to-screen diversifications are all the time tough to grasp, and the modifications in Netflix’s Folks We Meet On Trip show that regardless of Emily Henry’s e book having the proper rom-com aptitude, there have been some issues that needed to shift to make the story work. Web page-to-screen diversifications are nothing new. For so long as there have been tales, there have been diversifications, however page-to-screen is gaining new momentum within the streaming period.
Whereas Henry’s novel, a bestseller that debuted in 2021, is a superb work of fiction that brings collectively romance, comedy, and literary fiction, it was clear from the second Netflix introduced its adaptation that the e book being made into a movie would usher in some modifications. Whereas romantic comedies work on display screen and on the web page, what it takes to create a hit is totally different for every medium.
At its core, the movie adaptation of Folks We Meet On Trip does precisely the identical factor because the novel. It tells the story of two pals, Alex Nilson (Tom Blyth) and Poppy Wright (Emily Bader) who make it a convention to take epic, sprawling holidays collectively as their lives proceed in vastly totally different instructions and their relationship modifications in surprising methods.
Whereas the message is similar, the novel is ready to delve into items of the characters that the movie would not have the time and area to, whereas the movie is ready to supply a blinding visible power that the novel can solely attempt to grasp. Regardless of understanding each are effectively crafted, Netflix’s Folks We Meet On Trip has some main variations from its supply materials.
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The Timeline Of Alex & Poppy’s Friendship
In Henry’s novel, Poppy and Alex’s relationship begins throughout their freshman orientation week on the College of Chicago. Whereas Poppy and Alex do not communicate till the tip of the varsity yr, they’ve recognized of one another all through their first yr. With a When Harry Met Sally-fashion highway journey again to Linfield, Ohio arrange in each the e book and the film, the shift within the movie is timing.
Within the novel, Alex and Poppy drive again to Ohio collectively, then construct their friendship all through the following yr earlier than taking their very first journey collectively. Within the Netflix film, the characters are each learning at Boston School once they make their fateful drive again to Ohio. The motel scene, which permits Alex and Poppy to get to know each other within the movie, was an addition.
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Poppy’s Invitation To Alex’s Brother’s Wedding ceremony
Henry’s novel creates a considerably extra sophisticated setup for Alex and Poppy to return collectively at his brother’s wedding ceremony. Whereas the marriage remains to be a serious piece of the puzzle, within the written model of Folks We Meet On Trip, Poppy is not invited to the marriage, and David (Miles Heizer) would not attain out to see if she’s attending in any respect.
As a substitute, Poppy reaches out to Alex after years of silence to supply to take him on a visit she’ll be taking for work, hoping they’ll salvage their friendship. Alex tells her he is headed to Palm Springs for his brother’s wedding ceremony and invitations her to that, as a substitute, and Poppy accepts regardless of having to spin an online of lies to take action.
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Alex & Poppy’s Household Constructions
In Henry’s novel, the writer is ready to develop upon what Alex and Poppy’s lives appear like exterior their friendship significantly. Whereas the movie reveals that Alex’s mom handed when he was younger, leaving him along with his father and brother, issues are strikingly totally different within the novel. Equally, Poppy’s household is considerably smaller within the movie than within the novel.
Inside the pages of Folks We Meet On Trip, readers be taught that Alex has three youthful brothers, and that David is the youngest. The strain on Alex is heavier within the novel due to the familial stakes. Poppy’s mother and father, performed within the movie by Alan Ruck and Molly Shannon, seem way more within the novel, as do two youthful brothers, Prince and Parker, who had been reduce from the film.
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The Areas Of Alex & Poppy’s (Fewer) Journeys
Because the e book was in a position to accommodate extra location modifications, the journeys taken within the movie model of Folks We Meet On Trip are considerably totally different than the supply materials. Within the e book, Alex and Poppy are stated to have taken 9 summer time journeys forward of their foray to Palm Springs. Their adventures in Vancouver Island, Colorado, Tuscany, and Croatia are closely featured on the web page.
Within the film model of Folks We Meet On Trip, Alex and Poppy have a bit much less journey between them. The pair head to Squamish, New Orleans, and Tuscany all through the movie, and their last journey is to Barcelona. The modifications do not essentially make issues worse, however they do shift the timing of the story a bit.
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Alex’s Characterization Isn’t As Deep
One of the huge shifts to Folks We Meet On Trip is that we see far much less of Alex’s character, which frequently makes his habits complicated. Whereas we be taught on web page and display screen that Alex’s mom died at a younger age, the film model of Alex would not carry grief in the identical manner that the e book model does.
Alex’s grief and complex relationship along with his father is a serious piece of the puzzle for his character, particularly contemplating he is solely in a position to let unfastened with Poppy on trip. The shift within the movie typically makes it complicated to completely grasp the place Alex is coming from due to his issue letting go and having fun with himself. Whereas he talks round it, unpacking Alex’s points would’ve helped.
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Poppy’s Deception Surrounding Seeing Alex Once more
Within the e book, Henry develops a layer of deception surrounding Poppy’s journey to Palm Springs. Fairly than taking the holiday that her boss, Swapna, has lined up for her at R&R, Poppy takes trip time and rents an Airbnb on her personal in Palm Springs to spend time with Alex. Mendacity to Alex, Poppy has to untangle an online of drama earlier than she will attain their mutual points.
Within the film, not solely has the placement of the marriage been moved to Barcelona, however the lie surrounding Poppy’s work journey has been omitted fully. As a substitute, Poppy lies to Alex by saying she’ll already be in Barcelona for work, which implies she’ll be capable to attend the marriage. The deception would not hit as laborious, nor does it really feel like a mandatory addition.
On display screen, the ending of Folks We Meet On Trip sees Poppy quitting her job at R&R after feeling out of types, then heading to Linfield to determine what she’s going to do subsequent with Alex. Whereas it is clear there’s been a little bit little bit of time between Alex and Poppy’s reunion and break up in Barcelona, it would not take lengthy for the pair to return again collectively.
Within the novel, Henry teases the strain out a bit longer. Poppy would not give up her job straight away, however as a substitute heads house to New York after issues come to a head with Alex and tries to kind her life out. The e book sees Poppy go to remedy and attempt to kind herself out earlier than she decides to give up her job and, exterior of her profession, search Alex out.
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Sarah & Poppy’s Eventual Confrontation
Sarah Torval (Sarah Catherine Hook) is launched as Alex’s on-again-off-again girlfriend early on within the film, however her character is much totally different, as is her eventual confrontation with Poppy.
Within the film, Sarah works for her household’s actual property firm in Linfield and Alex mentions her taking issues over sooner or later main as much as their engagement. When Poppy sees Sarah on the airport towards the tip of the film in a flight attendant’s uniform, she’s shocked to see how a lot has modified and understands Sarah’s level that she wasn’t the issue between the previous couple.
Within the novel, Sarah is a trainer at Linfield Excessive College and, after having a dialog along with her highschool bully, somebody Poppy feels compelled to apologize to. Sarah pushes Poppy to go after Alex, resulting in a hearteflt finish to Folks We Meet On Trip.
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Alex’s Relationship With Sarah Ends Otherwise
With Sarah being a special character than she is within the novel model Folks We Meet On Trip, her relationship with Alex can be a special beast. Within the film, Alex proposes to Sarah whereas in Tuscany, contemporary on the heels of Poppy practically kissing him. In the end, the proposal causes their two-year falling out after Poppy calls him out for his actions.
Within the e book, Poppy finds out that Alex was planning to suggest to Sarah, however by no means really did. He later tells Poppy he broke up with Sarah earlier than he may suggest due to his emotions for her.
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Poppy & Alex Don’t Have A Cinematic Reunion
The extraordinary last scene of Folks We Meet On Trip has all of the makings of an iconic romantic comedy, but it surely’s far totally different than how the e book involves a detailed. Within the film, Poppy flies to Linfield shortly after arriving house to New York and quitting her job, then dashes by an epic chase with Alex and his noise-cancelling headphones by their hometown.
Within the e book, Poppy takes a while to consider what’s occurred in her life over the course of the novel, then heads again to Linfield to speak to Alex. After confessing her emotions for him in entrance of his colleagues at an area bar, Alex shuts Poppy down, however follows her to instantly make amends. Folks We Meet On Trip’s ending may’ve been far totally different.
- Launch Date
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January 8, 2026
- Runtime
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109 minutes
- Director
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Brett Haley
- Writers
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Yulin Kuang, Emily Henry, Nunzio Randazzo, Amos Vernon
- Producers
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Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, Isaac Klausner