How People Meet

Josh Sirmons is an aspiring filmmaker. He has a meeting with potential investors for his latest script, but it ends when they realize his ideas are “too big” to turn a profit. After the rejection, Josh goes to work as an Uber driver to finish his day. While driving, he unknowingly meets Steven Packard, a successful producer, who tells him to give him a call when he has something worthwhile. Josh pays little attention because he sees his longtime girlfriend, Angela, moving out of their house on his front door camera. Josh rushes home and confronts her. Angela explains she can’t keep waiting around for him to grow up. Josh’s best friend, Greg, and Josh’s brother, Kenton, take him for a night on the town to drown his sorrows. The night ends with his friends discovering Steven’s business card and realizing they need to get Josh back on his feet sooner rather than later. They sign him up for all the dating apps while he’s passed out. When he wakes, they convince Josh he can find stories for films while on the dates. After a string of unsuccessful dates, Josh walks into his favorite coffee shop where he meets Nikki Huling, a new barista. Since it’s close to closing time and Josh is a regular, Nikki fixes him an Irish coffee to drink while she starts closing. During their conversation, Nikki and Josh devise a concept for a film they’d like to see. This gives Josh the inspiration to go home and write down everything they discussed. Greg and Kenton see the rough outline the next morning, and make a trip to the coffee shop to tell Nikki how her conversation helped Josh out of his slump. Nikki, however, only hears that Josh is taking credit for the concept they came up with together. When Josh arrives later to discover a furious Nikki, the two agree to enter a contractual partnership to create the film together. During the writing process, Josh and Nikki discuss their favorite movies and their goals, becoming friends through the partnership until eventually they realize they have feelings for one another. Not wanting to put a strain on the partnership or film, they try to keep things platonic. However, as time goes on, they realize they genuinely like each other and share their first kiss the day their script is complete. Josh sets a meeting with Steven Packard to pitch the script, and he and Nikki nail it. During the wrap party, Angela shows up and tries to monopolize Josh’s time. Despite wanting nothing to do with her, Josh listens to what she has to say and agrees to meet the next day for lunch. When Nikki isn’t happy about it, he reminds her he is only going so he isn’t like Angela was to him. However, Angela is held up in court and can’t make the lunch. Later that night, she shows up and kisses Josh when he opens his front door. Nikki spots them and leaves. Realizing what’s going on, Josh chases after Nikki and throws Angela out. When he catches up to Nikki, she tells him she can’t be with him. Josh agrees to give her space and respect her wishes. In the post production process, Nikki finds a new job. Steven watches their interactions and tells Josh privately that he needs to do whatever it takes to win her back. Josh agrees and asks if he has permission to do something drastic at the premiere. Steven gives his consent. At the premiere, Josh records an interview that plays before the film. He explains his and Nikki’s partnership and apologizes for being too afraid to burn bridges. Nikki forgives him, and they get back together right before their movie comes on.