Why Watching People We Meet On Vacation As An Introvert Made Me Want To Leave One Character At A Gas Station

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It’s still early in 2026, but if you’re a fan of romantic comedies, you’re likely hoping for some good new releases. I definitely am! That’s why I decided to watch People We Meet on Vacation (available on Netflix) without even checking reviews. Sadly, the movie had a few moments that really bothered me as an introvert – I almost wanted to leave one of the characters stranded at a gas station!

Which People We Meet On Vacation Character Did I Want To Abandon And Why?

I’m a sucker for a good rom-com, and I totally get why opposites attract or why friends fall in love – it’s worked in classics like When Harry Met Sally and 13 Going On 30. So, when I saw Poppy, this seemingly carefree spirit, and the more reserved Alex meet as college students from the same small town and then start a road trip together, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. Honestly, I was already hooked – though I did wonder about that ‘free-spirit’ label right away!

I quickly grew really frustrated with one character, and that feeling lasted throughout most of the movie. If you figured out it was Poppy, you might also be an introvert who doesn’t like people overstepping boundaries!

The Movie Wants To Tell A Story Of Alex Slowly Opening Up Because Of Poppy’s Influence, But That’s Not What I Saw

I couldn’t stand Poppy from the moment she carelessly shrugged off my friend Alex’s polite warning about her giant burrito in the car. She’s the type of person who’d walk right into your home and casually put her feet on your coffee table, still wearing her outdoor shoes. She might not have everything figured out, but she definitely acts like she’s better at life than everyone else.

When her burrito exploded all over the car—and it definitely wasn’t Alex’s fault for stopping quickly—my first thought was to just leave her stranded. But I quickly reconsidered and decided she had to clean up the mess first, and then I’d leave her at the gas station.

The adaptation also aims to portray Poppy encouraging Alex to broaden his horizons – he reveals early on he’s never left his hometown or college city, which is a compelling premise. However, the show didn’t deliver on that. Instead, we see Poppy repeatedly pushing Alex beyond his comfort zone and disregarding his personal boundaries, which is incredibly frustrating for someone who is introverted.

It made me realize Poppy isn’t the carefree, quirky character she’s often portrayed as in movies. Honestly, she comes across as pretty inconsiderate. It’s simple: if she doesn’t like Alex, she should stop spending time with him!

Okay, so I get it – the movie rushed things. It didn’t really show us how Alex and Poppy became friends, or how Poppy helped Alex open up to trying new things. And honestly, as someone who’s a bit of an introvert myself, and understands needing space, it just felt…off. It took the joy out of what could have been a really fun movie. It wasn’t believable, and that was a real letdown.

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2026-01-15 17:08