The rom-com genre is making a comeback stronger than a ‘90s trend, and cinephiles are loving every second of it. Esteemed actress Laura Dern’s newest venture Lonely Planet is one such film. A project seemingly following the blueprint of another great actress, Anne Hathaway’s recent hit.
Centered around quite an unlikely pairing with Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, The Idea of You has been a massive success. The film was unconventional in more ways than one, but all measures proved right when it garnered views and praise in abundance. Laura Dern seems to be following Hathaway’s footsteps with her recent release.
The Formula Anne Hathaway Used to Make The Idea of You a Success
Anne Hathaway’s The Idea of You performed surprisingly well. Based on Robinne Lee’s bestselling novel, the film chronicles the love affair between a 40-year-old single mother and a 24-year-old boyband member. The electric love affair between the unusual pairing managed to capture the audience’s hearts around the globe.
The film became a massive streaming success, breaking numerous records within two weeks of its release. The movie’s success established that many moviegoers would prefer to enjoy the experience at home. A digital-only release does not hinder a movie’s success, it rather increases the accessibility to the viewers.
Although digital releases as such make affects the overall scenario of the movie industry, it cannot be denied that this strategy works in the favour of many. The Idea of You going straight to digital platform proved ro be a brilliant decision for the film and seemingly, Laura Dern’s recent release is going to replicate that.
Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth’s Lonely Planet Is Going to Do It The Idea of You Way
Set in the breathtaking Moroccan landscape, an intoxicating love affair emerges between a couple with a significant age gap. Played by Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth, the film chronicles acquaintances turning into lovers, altering each other’s lives.
This film too, seemingly revolves around the themes that run parallel to The Idea of You. Dern plays Katherine, a novelist. As Dern told Tudum:
Katherine has spent her life dedicated to narrative and therefore [hasn’t spent] much time looking at deep truth within. She is at a turning point in her life where she is looking for a softening and deeper understanding, and she finds it in a love story.
The premise of the film is exciting and fits well with the resurgence of romcoms with an unconventional aspect to it. Two individuals from different walks of life, in more ways than one, meet in a foreign land and end up falling in love, the experience altering their lives forever. Whether or not this movie will strike a chord with fans remains to be seen, but a digital release is hopefully not going to be a hindrance in its success.
The Idea of You is available for streaming on Prime Video and Lonely Planet will premiere on Netflix on October 11.
Frequently asked questions
What is the movie Lonely Planet about?
Lonely Planet is a romance set in the breathtaking Moroccan landscape, starring Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth as a couple with a significant age gap. Dern plays Katherine, a novelist, and the story follows two acquaintances from different walks of life who become lovers, with the relationship altering both of their lives. The article frames it as part of the wider rom-com resurgence.
When and where did Lonely Planet premiere?
According to the article, Lonely Planet premiered on Netflix on October 11 (2024). The piece notes the film took a digital-only release approach rather than a traditional theatrical run, mirroring the streaming strategy used by Anne Hathaway’s The Idea of You, which the article reports is available for streaming on Prime Video.
How is Lonely Planet similar to The Idea of You?
The article reports both films center on an unconventional romance with a significant age gap and lean on a digital-only release. Anne Hathaway’s The Idea of You, based on Robinne Lee’s novel, follows a 40-year-old single mother and a 24-year-old boyband member and reportedly became a major streaming success, breaking records within two weeks. Lonely Planet is described as following that same formula.
