As summer slowly winds down, it feels fitting to close the season with a sun-drenched romantic drama, and Prime Video came in clutch with its latest original movie “The Map That Leads to You.”
When the first trailer dropped back in July, my brain instantly started humming Maroon 5’s “Maps” only to realize this story has nothing to do with Adam Levine dramatically yelling “following, following, following.” Instead, the movie is based on J.P. Monninger’s novel of the same name, following a recent graduate traveling through Europe and a free-spirited traveler retracing his grandfather’s journal.
After watching it myself, I’ll admit “The Map That Leads to You” drew out a few light tears and emotions I haven’t felt from a romance in a while. Still, there are recurring issues in the genre that the movie doesn’t quite escape.
“The Map That Leads to You” sets itself up as a light, familiar romance, and for the most part, it delivers just that. It hits the classic beats you’d expect, and if you’re in the mood for something easy and cozy, it will probably make for a pleasant evening stream this week.
But it isn’t flawless, and a few frustrating details may linger once the movie ends. Here are my thoughts on “The Map That Leads to You” now that it’s streaming on Prime Video.
What is ‘The Map That Leads to You’ about?
Fresh out of college, Heather Mulgrew (Madelyn Cline) goes on a carefully scheduled European trip with her friends before launching into her planned finance career in New York.
On an overnight train to Barcelona, she encounters Jack (KJ Apa), a spontaneous traveler revisiting the places listed in his late grandfather’s journal. Intrigued by his carefree nature, Heather’s tightly controlled itinerary begins to unravel as they (including her friends) travel together through sun-drenched landscapes in Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
Along the way, unexpected sparks ignite between Heather and Jack, compelling her to question the course she set for herself. As their bond deepens, revelations and choices emerge that shake Heather’s understanding of what lies ahead.
A sweet romance that falls into familiar territory
I have to start by saying that “The Map That Leads to You” is a genuinely charming watch. Considering romance is a huge comfort genre for me, I’ve been surprisingly burned a lot by recent streaming flicks that just don’t dare to be different, and in most cases the story is better off staying on the page.
“The Map That Leads to You,” however, feels fresh in its first half because it’s essentially a travelogue showcased by the charming two leads, Madelyn Cline and KJ Apa. The traveling is woven into the emotional rhythm of the story, from grand architecture and hidden coves to charming cobblestone streets.
It’s a visually beautiful movie, as their journey takes them through Spain, Portugal, Venice, and more swoonworthy locations that make this feel like a classic summer flick. Along the way, they start to fall for one another. They realize life doesn’t have to be about following plans all the time, and being present with someone you care about is a magical experience in itself.
But, as much as I was hooked during the first half of the movie, I ended up feeling a little disappointed once the “drama” crept in. The further I got into “The Map That Leads to You,” the more it reminded me of another recent romantic drama on Netflix, “My Oxford Year.”
In my review for that Netflix movie, I noted a certain plot twist meant to tug at the audience’s heartstrings that ends up feeling a bit forced. While the story follows the book faithfully, the movie doesn’t have the runtime to fully explore the emotional depth and complexities the novel can, and the same is true for “The Map That Leads to You.”
That said, Prime Video’s drama doesn’t hit you over the head with this emotional element. I realized within the first 30 minutes when Apa’s character, Jack, refused to have his picture taken. In some ways, that subtlety makes this movie more emotionally affecting than “My Oxford Year” (I did shed a few tears), though it still drifts into overfamiliar territory in the final 10 minutes.
Another element that felt a bit sidelined was Heather’s group of friends, whom she originally set out on the European tour with. One ends up traveling solo, while another takes off with a man she’s just met. Clearly, this was meant to give Heather and Jack space to develop their relationship, but it might have worked better if Heather had started her trip to Barcelona alone. As it stands, like in many romance movies, the friends mostly serve as comedic relief.
Still, “The Map That Leads to You” works as a sweet romantic drama because the two leads have incredible chemistry, and their characters are genuinely likable. It’s refreshing to see a romance that focuses on two people falling in love, without messy arguments, shocking backstories, or awkward tension. They make their feelings clear, and their journey through these picturesque locations is beautiful.
Director Lasse Hallström clearly understands what fans of the genre want, and even though the weaker third act leans a little too heavily on emotional cues, I found this to be an enjoyable summer watch.
Stream ‘The Map That Leads to You’ on Prime Video now
For anyone seeking a visually engaging escape with charming romance, “The Map That Leads to You” offers a delightful ride across Europe’s most picturesque locales.
Madelyn Cline and KJ Apa bring plenty of warmth and chemistry that make the journey feel genuine, and the movie’s careful pacing allows viewers to enjoy both the scenery and the unfolding connection between the leads.
While it falls into the genre’s regular habits when it comes to evoking emotions in the viewer (and sidelining most of the characters), it holds enough charm and electric moments to make it a satisfying watch one evening. It’s one of the streamer’s strongest efforts in recent months.
Stream “The Map That Leads to You” on Prime Video now.
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