Why the sun-drenched romcom ‘You, Always’ is the perfect choice for your watchlist

The latest product from the romantic comedy factory is Netflix's sun-drenched "You, Always," which proves to be as sweet, predictable, and comforting as ice cream on a summer's day.

Set against the breathtaking, postcard-perfect backdrop of Far North Queensland, this film doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, or the heart, but it certainly knows how to make them spin in a very pleasant direction.

If you are looking for gritty realism or a dark psychological thriller, keep scrolling. But if you want to spend ninety minutes watching beautiful people navigate the messy waters of love while the Great Barrier Reef glistens in the background, you’ve come to the right place.

The story follows Dr Jen Bell, played with a grounded warmth by Jessica De Gouw.

Jen is the kind of woman who seemingly does it all: she’s a dedicated GP, a doting mother to her young daughter Sophia, and a brave volunteer for Marine Search & Rescue. She is the backbone of her tropical community, but her own heart has been buffering for way too long.

Enter Ethan, played by the charming Adrian Grenier. He is a former military man who now spends his days as a Marine Search & Rescue employee and Jen’s lifelong best friend.

They share that effortless, "day-one" energy that makes everyone around them wonder why they aren't already married.

The chemistry between De Gouw and Grenier is palpable, leaning more toward cosy soulmate familiarity than red-hot passion, which is a total vibe for the film’s aesthetic, easy-watching energy.

Jen finally gathers up the courage to move out of the friend zone by organising an elaborate, romantic picnic to confess her feelings.

It’s the kind of setup that screams happily ever after, until Ethan, clueless, distracted, and still dusting himself off from a failed marriage, accidentally stands her up. 

It’s a moment that makes you want to reach through the screen and give Ethan a slap across the right cheek, but it perfectly sets the stage for the film’s ultimate plot twist: the arrival of a gorgeous distraction.

In your typical romcom, the rival is usually a total villain you love to hate, but in "You, Always", the writers have given us Patrick, played by the dashing Desmond Chiam.

Patrick isn't just a handsome stranger; he’s a wealthy, successful romance novelist who happens to be Jen’s favourite author.

When they meet by chance while he’s in town seeking inspiration for his next bestseller, it feels like a literal page-turning fantasy come to life.

Patrick is everything Ethan currently isn't: attentive, romantic and certain about what he wants.

Before we know it, Jen is being swept off her feet, and Patrick is proposing a glamorous new life in Sydney.

While Jen is being wooed by literature's finest, Ethan finally begins to wake up from his slumber. The arrival of Patrick sparks a predictable but satisfying jealousy in him, but it’s his interaction with Matilda (Yasmin Kassim) that provides the real turning point.

After Ethan rescues Matilda during a Marine Search & Rescue emergency, she becomes the mirror he needs to see his own heart.

She helps Ethan realise that his bond with Jen isn't just history, it’s his future.

Director Christine Luby makes the most of the Queensland setting, and honestly, the scenery is as much a character as the leads.

The lush rainforests, the turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef, and the golden hour lighting make the film feel like a high-end travel brochure.

It’s the kind of scenic escape that provides a much-needed dose of vitamin D for those of us watching from couch-bound rainy climates.

The production design is filled with charming beach houses and quaint medical clinics that look like they’ve been pulled straight from an interior design magazine.

As we head toward the climax, the tension ramps up. Will Jen choose the sophisticated life of a novelist’s muse in the big city, or will she stay in the town she loves with the man who has always been by her side?

The climax is exactly what you want it to be: emotional, slightly frantic and deeply sincere.

"You, Always" doesn't aim to break new ground or challenge the conventions of the genre. Instead, it leans into them with a confident, joyful embrace.

It’s a film about the bravery it takes to be vulnerable with the people who know us best, and the realisation that sometimes the love of your life isn't someone you have to find, but someone you simply have to notice.

"You, Always" is light, entertaining and undeniably Australian in its laid-back charm.

While some viewers might dismiss it as cinematic comfort food, there is an undeniable magic in a movie that knows exactly what it is and delivers on its promise of a happy ending.

It doesn’t try to be anything other than a warm embrace, and honestly, that’s exactly why it works.

If you're looking for a low-stress, high-romance film to add to your watchlist, this is it.

Rating: *** solid and enjoyable, though not groundbreaking