Netflix now has 3 Emily Henry romcom adaptations in the works
As Netflix launches its film adaptation of bestselling author Emily Henry's romantic comedy People We Meet on Vacation on Jan. 9, it gives Henry's fans two more reasons to be excited. The streaming service has picked up the film adaptation of Henry's book Funny Story and will turn her other novel Happy Place, from a TV series, which was the original plan, into another film.
The three adaptations are part of Henry's broader book-to-screen projects for five of her books, including Beach Read and Book Lovers. The latter two are currently set up with other studios and distributors, according to Variety.
As evidenced by her strong following, Henry has a penchant for creating characters and storylines that resonate with audiences.
People We Meet on Vacation tells the story of two best friends and travel buddies, free-spirited Poppy, played by Emily Bader, and routine junkie Alex, portrayed by Tom Blythe. They go on one last trip together as they trudge through their complicated feelings for each other.
Funny Story follows Daphne, a children's librarian dealing with her broken engagement to Peter, who belatedly realizes he is in love with his childhood friend Petra. For some reason, Daphne becomes roommates with Petra's ex, Miles. Together, they hatch a plan to get back at their exes—or back with them, whichever comes first.
Happy Place revolves around Harriet and Wyn, who haven't told their best friends that they broke their engagement months ago. Throughout their week-long annual vacation at a Main beach house the group dubbed their "happy place," Harriet and Wyn must pretend they are still together while confronting their feelings honestly.
Speaking to Variety, Henry said she felt instant relief right after watching a cut of People We Meet on Vacation.
"I knew how hard everyone had worked on it, so I wanted to be thrilled with it. But I also knew I was going to be measuring it against the fans' expectations and just probably like one of the harshest critics you could have," she said.
"And so I was very, very tense, and then when the movie ended, I just felt such immense relief... because I felt like they had pulled it off, and I felt like the readers were going to be extremely happy, which has been my biggest concern," Henry added.
The stigma of romcoms
While production details of Funny Story and Happy Place are yet to be revealed, Henry is being open about how she navigates the perceived stigma against romcom films.
"I think actors are very afraid that if they do one of these movies, they will be taken less seriously, or they think they'll be stuck in this genre, and they won't be able to do anything else," she said.
Still, she believes in the power of a good romance.
"I feel like people can sometimes treat it like an initiation, where it's like, we have to do a romance to prove we can do a romance so we can get cast in other things. I mean romance launches careers," Henry said, citing Paul Mescal, the lead in the romcom series "Normal People.
Being heavily involved in the production of her book adaptations, Henry said she hasn't been able to pay much attention to her next book, especially after her editor and agent both practically ordered her to take a break from work. But fans can rest easy. Henry is gearing up to work on her next book.
"And now, I will say I am so ready to get back to books. [The holiday] was exactly what I needed. I feel very inspired at this moment. I know what the next one is, and I'm gonna be diving in, and hopefully I will be able to start sharing something soon," she said.
