People We Meet on Vacation 2026

Poppy, a travel writer based in New York City, finds herself discontented with her current life. When her friend David brings up his upcoming wedding in Barcelona, it sparks an idea in Poppy to reconnect with Alex, her former best friend and David’s brother. The two have not communicated for two years, and she seizes this opportunity to reach out to him. Poppy fabricates a story about traveling to Barcelona for work, convincing Alex that she will be attending the wedding.

Throughout the movie, flashbacks unravel the history between Poppy and Alex. Their friendship began nine years ago at Boston College, where they bonded during a lengthy road trip back to their hometown of Linfield, Ohio. During this trip, they were forced to share a motel room, with Alex being mindful of his girlfriend Sarah. The following year marked a pivotal moment when Poppy took Alex camping in Squamish after his breakup with Sarah. They were invited to join a lively group of campers but opted to retreat to their own tent and committed to annual summer adventures together.

As the story unfolds in the present, Poppy and Alex experience an awkward reunion, stirring memories of a past trip to New Orleans six years prior. During this trip, they pretended to be on their honeymoon, despite Alex having reconciled with Sarah and Poppy dating someone Alex disliked. A mishap with the air conditioning in Poppy’s hotel room brings them closer, but also reveals the tension between them when Alex suffers a back spasm, prompting reminiscence about the time they intended to visit Norway four years earlier. However, when Poppy fell ill, Alex chose to care for her in New York instead.

Alex extends an invite to Poppy for the rehearsal dinner but soon uncovers her deception regarding the work trip to Barcelona. In a heart-to-heart discussion, they both express their longing for each other and the closeness they once shared. Poppy wishes for things to revert to how they were before an awkward trip to Tuscany, but Alex indicates he cannot go back.

Two years prior, during their trip to the Tuscan villa with their partners, Sarah and Trey, a significant moment occurred when Alex discreetly assisted a distressed Poppy with a pregnancy test, resulting in a near-kiss. However, Poppy retreated, insisting she did not mean it, which led to tension between them. The following morning, Alex proposed to Sarah, and she accepted, which only complicated matters further. Conflicting feelings arose for Poppy, who protested the proposed plan of settling down in Linfield, insisting it wasn’t what Alex truly desired.

As the current events unfold, Poppy presses Alex regarding his breakup with Sarah, leading to a revelation that his past relationship ended because of his feelings for Poppy. They acknowledge their love for each other, culminating in an intimate moment and attending the wedding as a couple. However, during the reception, Alex questions their future, but Poppy’s uncertainty frustrates him, leading to accusations that she struggles with commitment and often flees her issues through escapism. Poppy, in turn, confronts his rigid perspective of remaining in Linfield.

A chance encounter at the airport with Sarah, now a flight attendant, allows Poppy to apologize. Sarah reassures her that the breakup was more complex than just Alex and Poppy’s close friendship, acknowledging her own indecisiveness about life. In a bold move, Poppy resigns from her job and travels to Linfield. She confronts Alex, revealing her fear of overwhelming him and reaffirming her desire to be with him.

By the subsequent summer, Poppy and Alex are successfully living together in New York City, embracing their new lifestyle while continuing to nurture their relationship, including traveling as a couple. Ultimately, the film captures the journey of love, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships amidst the beautiful backdrops of life’s adventures.