Netflix’s newest rom-com,Love at First Sight,has become an instant hit among viewers since its release earlier this month. The film is an adaptation of Jennifer E. Smith’s novelThe Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight,a title that Netflix gets its male lead to utter quite creatively at the end of the film. The film was directed by Vanessa Caswill, with Katie Lovejoy and the author herself, Jennifer E. Smith, in the writer’s seats. Despite being an adaptation, the film doesn’t strictly adhere to its source text, a fact that fans of the novel will realize upon seeing the conclusion of the film.
Since making its debut on June 23, 2025,Love at First Sighthas jumped to the topmost spot on Netflix’s trending list. Viewers have got hooked on the lighthearted, feel-good movie with all its quirks and narrative about love and fate. The film has Haley Lu Richardson as Hadley Sullivan and Ben Hardy as Oliver Jones leading the film. For those of you who haven’t watched the movie yet and are wondering why it has become such a hit, what’sLove at First Sight’s story? Is it worth the watch? Most importantly, does the film have a happy ending?
Love at First Sight: What’s The Story?
Love at First Sightcenters on Hadley and Oliver as they begin their story from the mostmeet-cute moment at the airport. Hadley, always running late, with a constantly dying phone, meets Oliver, who appears well-prepared for everything, living by statistics when she misses her flight to London by just four minutes. Both are on their way to London to deal with very different personal issues, but the flight they share together has the couple falling in love with each other by the time the plane touches down at Heathrow Airport.
Having stayed true to her persona, Hadley loses Oliver’s number thanks to her constantly dying phone, so they are separated. However, not for long. The two end up finding their way to each other and, in the process, forming a lasting connection.
While centering on the relationship between Hadley and Oliver,Love at First Sightalso adds some depth to the narrative by having Hadley deal with a father who is getting re-married to a woman she has never met. Oliver deals with a mother dying of lung cancer but has a unique, Shakespeare-themed living memorial for herself before she passes on. The story is unique, with characters who are quirky and endearing, adding to the charm of the film and having viewers wishing for more.
Love at First Sight: Does It Have a Happy Ending?
A burning question for many rom-com watchers is whether the film ends on a happy note. Safe to say,Love at First Sightends on a happy, wholesome note. Despite dealing with severalserious issues, including divorce, the impact of separation on children, and the grief that comes with cancer, the film finds heartwarming and hope-filled ways of dealing with life’s obstacles.
The ending of the film not only gives Hadley and Oliver a happy ending, or rather what the movie terms “the beginning,” but also allows for a beautiful conclusion to Hadley’s and Oliver’s relationship with their families. Hadley mends her relationship with her father, and Oliver accepts his mother’s decision to forgo cancer treatment and instead live her last days as herself.
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The ending of the film is one of the more notable differences that the adaptation has from its source text. Readers of the novel were given an open ending, with no definite conclusion to Hadley’s and Oliver’s story. However, from what is sure to be a welcome deviation from the original novel, the omniscient narrator, who is present throughout the entire film and voiced by Jameela Jamil, promises viewers that Hadley and Oliver remain married for 58 years, have a daughter together and Oliver holds Hadley’s hand as she takes her last breath. What more of a reassuring ending can one ask for? AuthorJennifer E. Smith, talking to The Wrapabout the film’s ending, said:
“I love the ending of the movie. It’s very similar [to the book] in many ways. The one thing that always makes me laugh a little bit is that this book came out quite a while ago. So for many, many years, I’ve gotten messages from readers lovingly teasing me about my open-ended endings. I think the ending here goes a step further than I did in the book in a way that feels so right and so true to the story that we’ve all created here. It makes me cry at the end. It’s so beautifully done, and I think readers of the book who have been waiting for this for a long time are going to be really really happy.”
Love at First Sight: Is it Worth the Watch?
The rom-com genre is one that is quite saturated. However, many of the films in the genre seem to repeat the same storylines in different ways, with only a few films being the exception.Love at First Sight,with its quirky, endearing, heartfelt romance andperformance of the cast, is one such exception.
Devoid of the usual issues in rom-coms, such as interference from an old lover or changing oneself to appear attractive to the other,Love at First Sightoffers a genuine romance between a young couple and also a heart-touching family relationship on the parts of both Hadley and Oliver. The fact that the film attaches a significant focus to both Hadley’s relationship with her father and Oliver’s relationship with her family makes that film that much more endearing.
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In addition to the narrative of the film and the charming and captivating performance by the actors, the film also has asoundtrack with superb songsthat are perfectly matched with each scene in the movie. The match between the songs and scenes works to elevate the feelings and atmosphere of each moment. The soundtrack consists of both originals and covers, with covers including versions of Whitney Houston’sI Wanna Dance With Somebodyand ABBA’sHoney Honey.
The storyline, performance, and amazing music ofLove at First Sightmake it a definite heartwarming and light must-watch. If you haven’t watched the film yet and are craving a feel-good movie,Love at First Sightis the perfect fit for you! The film is available for streaming on Netflix now.
