There’s one genre I haven’t seen formally recognized, but is very dear to my heart. I call it “vacation trip drama” and it’s exactly what it sounds like: a dramatic story that takes place on a vacation trip, or involves one as a plot progression device. There’s something special about how the temporary nature of vacation trips brings about nuance and complexity to the characters. Almost as if they’re as surprised by their actions and feelings as we are.

Below are just some examples that come to mind (in no particular order).

Movies

• Aftersun (2022)
• Afire (2023)
• A Bigger Splash (2015)
• Sex and Lucia (2001)
• Stealing Beauty (1996)
• The Hand of God (2021)
• Call Me By Your Name (2017)
• Force Majeure (2014)
• Youth (2015)

Novels

• Sally Rooney, “Conversations with friends” (2017, also a 2022 TV Series)
• Renée Knight, “Disclaimer” (2015, also a 2024 TV Series)