Rom-coms, once pushed to the sidelines by superheroes and blockbusters, are having a surprising comeback. Audiences are once again turning to the genre, showing renewed interest in stories that mix romance with humor. After dominating the box office and home entertainment landscape in the '90s and '00s, the genre receded into a quieter backseat as superhero films, action franchises and darker dramas took center stage. But, recent hits such as The Idea of You, Office Romance, and Red, White & Royal Blue have helped put romantic comedies back in the spotlight. 

Now the genre is back with a new generation of films putting a new take on the familiar formula of love, laughter and messy relationships. 

Spike Fearn and Angourie Rice are set to star in the upcoming rom-com Finding Emily, and the recent exclusive clip of the film has recently been released. It is set to make its way into the theaters on August 28. Finding Emily is a comedic look at modern dating and the lengths people will go to find that special someone, mixing romance, comedy and an unconventional search for love. 

Before the exclusive clip was uploaded on X, Rice talked to Boston Herald via Zoom, and said that romantic comedies are often dismissed because audiences know how they will end. But she believes predictability makes it hard for filmmakers to keep viewers invested. She said Finding Emily uses the rom-com tropes people know and love, but also has a surprising element to it, which will add a new emotional layer to the familiar genre. 

This story is about Owen, a lovesick musician who meets the girl of his dreams, Emily, but when he wakes up, one digit is missing from the phone number she gave him. He teams up with a pragmatic psychology student who sees his increasingly chaotic search as a chance to study human behavior, determined to find her. Their search ignites a massive online and campus-wide craze featuring a slew of students named Emily, mixing modern social media satire with old-school romantic comedy tropes. 

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With its mix of familiar romance, themes and modern dating chaos, Finding Emily appears to be striking the right chord, making it reportedly one of the top 10 best rom-coms to watch now.

Finding Emily has been met with largely positive critical reviews, as shown by its impressive 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have praised the film for its combination of familiar romantic-comedy tropes with a more complex coming-of-age story, as well as the chemistry and performances. It has also received praise for its humor, social-media satire and commentary on modern relationships. Some thought its predictable storyline less convincing, but overall, the response suggests a charming and entertaining addition to the genre. 

Now, the movie looks set to offer a fresh spin on familiar rom-com territory. Early strong reviews of the movie, as well as a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, have added to the excitement for the theatrical release. Owen’s odd pursuit of Emily in the film might appeal to viewers searching for a light romance with a little more substance than the familiar set-up of the genre. 

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Will Owen’s unconventional search for Emily win you over and compel you to watch the movie? Let us know in the comments.