The scientifically proven cure for seasonal depression is a whimsical vacation movie featuring a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers arc. So, thank goodness People We Meet on Vacation is finally out! The Netflix adaptation of Emily Henry’s hit 2021 novel stars Emily Bader as Poppy and Tom Blyth (my husband) as Alex. I’m happy to report that fans of the book won’t be disappointed: Emily and Tom are like if these characters walked right off the page, and their on-screen chemistry actually gave me heart palpitations. In an era sorely lacking in high-quality rom-coms, this movie restores my faith in the genre.
Yes, Emily definitely felt the pressure of taking on such a beloved role and story. “I felt a responsibility,” she explained to Betches. “Emily Henry is the people’s princess, right?” Correct. The People We Meet On Vacation star noted that she wanted to make the fans proud, which kept her on her toes throughout the process. “It’s like, ‘Okay, I better not screw this up for the sake of them.'”
During our chat, Emily also opened up about her experience working with Tom Blyth, her vacation pet peeves, and that iconic balcony scene. (Which was apparently more frigid than sexy IRL.)
Emily Bader Talks People We Meet On Vacation
When you first read the script, did you feel like you related to Poppy?
Emily Bader: Oh yeah, 100%. I think that’s partly why it happened the way that it did. I think Brett had seen My Lady Jane which was a show that I had done before this, which the characters are quite different but I think there’s in essence… Maybe it’s just the bits of me that came across in that character were Poppy energy. And I think Poppy is one of the characters that is closer to who I am than anything I’ve played.
What was it like working with Tom? Did you guys know each other before?
Emily Bader: We had never met. I think he’s between New York and the UK and we just had never met before. We met actually for the first time on our Zoom chemistry read because everyone was on the opposite sides of the planet. And he had already been cast so I was so curious. I was like, “Okay, who’s this guy that they cast for this role?” And then pretty much right away, it all clicked and it made a lot of sense.
Yeah, you guys are incredible together. Do you have a favorite memory from filming?
Emily Bader: I loved all of New Orleans. Spain was an incredible journey. I had never been to Spain before and it’s such a beautiful, beautiful place, but we worked the… I think the most intense load of shooting day is in Spain and it was also the beginning so I was less dropped-in, maybe a little bit more nervous. And then when we got to New Orleans, everyone was an absolute family unit at that point so we just had so much fun.
So, you got to actually go to most of those places in the movie? I was wondering while I was watching if you filmed in all those countries.
Emily Bader: Yeah. We used Spain for Tuscany up in the north of Spain because geographically it was quite similar. And we actually did fake Canada in Spain, which I do not know how they did it. They found these woods with these trees that you actually have in Squamish, that was pretty amazing that they pulled that off. And then New Orleans was right on Bourbon Street.
That’s so funny. What was the most challenging moment of filming?
Emily Bader: Obviously, every day is you’re sleep-deprived and you’re cold but it’s just a gift. I remember leaving this movie, I think we shot for about three and a half months or something, two and a half months. Honestly, it’s a blur now. And just thinking, “Oh no, that’s it? That’s all? That’s all I get?” And I was heartbroken by that because it was really a treat to get to go to work every day with all of these people. And there’s always small things like the balcony scene, that water was absolutely frigid. I think we all caught cold after that.
Yeah, that was going to be my guess. What’s your dream vacation destination if you could be anywhere right now?
Emily Bader: I have so many. I have a list. I really want to do Japan and Korea. I would love to go to foodie cities really but I’m also a creature of habit. If there’s places that I love, I always do want to go back. I reread books, I rewatch movies, TV shows. Hawaii is my North Star in that way, my favorite place on the planet.
Totally. Tom’s character is referred to as Vacation Alex in the movie. Is there a Vacation Emily that comes out? Do you have an alter ego when you travel?
Emily Bader: Yeah, I think it’s just a more… I’ve stuck to this term and I don’t know if I regret it or not but Water Rat. I’m this just drowned rat. My hair is very curly and normally it’s tied into a bun but when I’m on vacation, it’s just never brushed and just insane. And just taking showers in the ocean and being sandy, I love that sort of… I don’t know, lack of structure on vacation.
Yeah, that’s how it should be. Is there a type of person that drives you crazy when you’re traveling with them?
Emily Bader: Yeah. I have a big personality and I don’t like bossy energy. I don’t mind if someone is really on it coming up with, “Hey, maybe we should go to this restaurant. I’ll make a reservation.” That’s spectacular because I cannot be held responsible for things like that. I’ll make it for the wrong day. But yeah, I don’t know how well I would do with someone who is like, “Okay, from 6:00 AM to 7:45, we’re doing this.”
Which cast member would you trust to plan the best itinerary if you were going on a trip?
Emily Bader: Oh, that’s such a good question. I don’t know. Not a cast member. Well, our director, Brett, I feel like he’s been everywhere and he has really good food recommendations. But of the cast, maybe Sarah Catherine because I just feel like she’s good at that sort of thing and she knows all the cool spots.
Is there a scene that you’re most excited for fans to see?
Emily Bader: I’m most excited for the balcony scene, I think. I’m nervously excited about that. I think that’s a huge moment in the book, it’s the crux of the whole movie for the people who’ve read it who know. And I hope that we pulled it off.
