Review: Come Away With Me is the New Go-To Comfort Movie

There’s a Passionflix movie or series for just about any mood. Some make you laugh, some make you cry (in a good way, of course), others make your toes curl and some are the kind that you can watch any time, day or night. The Passionflix adaptation of Come Away With Me, the first book in Kristen Proby’s bestselling With Me In Seattle series, hits the sweet spot. It’s a movie that checks all the boxes, and I’m so obsessed with it that it’s my new go-to comfort movie.

I’ve been waiting for Come Away With Me for years. I read the book as soon as Passionflix optioned it, reading it through the lens of knowing an adaptation was coming. I tried to imagine what Natalie and Luke would look like. I wondered whether it would be possible to pull off the kind of chemistry needed to portray their unique misunderstanding/mugging-love-at-first-sight meet cute. I’m thrilled to say that after watching a screener of the movie ahead of the release, I wasn’t disappointed. It was everything I hoped it would be, and so much more.

Come Away With Me begins with Natalie (Natalie Pelletier), a photographer, taking pictures by the sea. Camera-loathing former superstar actor Luke (Jake B. Miller) mistakenly thinks Natalie is photographing him so he tries to grab her camera, leading Natalie to think he’s a psycho mugger. Once the misunderstanding is cleared up, Luke realizes that Natalie is one of the few people on the planet who has no idea who he is. He’s instantly smitten and determined to win her over. Luke and Natalie fall fast and hard, but naturally there are a few speedbumps on their journey to happy ever after.

The movie wouldn’t work if not for Pelletier and Miller’s chemistry. Pelletier masterfully weaves quiet, steel-infused strength with vulnerability as she brings Natalie to life. Miller deftly balances Luke’s easygoing charm and his outward projection of an a-list actor’s confidence, which barely conceals his own vulnerability. Natalie and Luke spend each day going through the motions, but once they find each other and let their guard down, they really start living.

I loved watching Pelletier and Miller slowly peel back their characters’ insecurities while surfing Natalie and Luke’s tidal wave of attraction. You’ll laugh with them, cry with them, cheer for them and celebrate their love for each other. It’s a special thing when costars manage to bring all of those emotions to life through their performances, and Pelletier and Miller do it with ease.

Fans of Proby’s With Me In Seattle series know that Natalie’s BFF Jules (Katie Baker) and Luke’s sister Samantha (Sammi-Jack Martincak) have their own stories to tell. As per usual, Passionflix did a phenomenal job casting Jules and Samantha; the movie wouldn’t be the same without them and I’m hoping beyond hope that we go deep into Proby’s vast catalogue to tell Jules’ and Samantha’s stories, along with those of the handsome Montgomery brothers as well.

Director Lane Shefter Bishop keeps the action moving at a solid clip, making use of every moment in Come Away With Me’s roughly 90-minute runtime. Brian Frederich’s script captures the essence of the story and translates it beautifully from novel to script. Every last detail, from the locations to wardrobe, feel like they were pulled directly from Proby’s lush prose. Visually, the movie is pure eye candy.

Come Away With Me is low drama and high romance, making it the kind of movie you can watch anytime. I can envision it being a Friday night feature and also the movie I turn on when I need something to keep me company as I go about my day. Longtime fans will be thrilled at seeing beloved characters come to life, and newcomers will rush to read the book that inspired the movie. It’s comfort-watching at its finest.

Come Away With Me will be available to stream exclusively on Passionflix on August 6.