As published in CLAUDIA

There’s something deliciously comforting about watching predictably romantic movies. It’s almost a secret pleasure. Maybe it’s “Jane Austen’s fault,” her formula created over 210 years ago, where the main couple starts out clashing but is destined to be together. Yes — the basic blueprint of the rom-com, tailor-made for that extra serotonin boost, still works. And how it entertains.

After an intense September full of heavy content and emotional dramas, I put together a list of movies that are the opposite of all that: light romances, made to cradle you through hours of rest, perfect for binging without guilt, and keeping our faith in love alive. No big ambitions here — just the pleasure of distraction. Shall we?

Wrong Paris – Netflix

This Hallmark-style rom-com has an irresistible premise. A young woman (Miranda Cosgrove) signs up for a dating show, thinking it’s set in Paris, France, only to find out it’s actually in Paris, Texas. Determined to get eliminated so she can finally fulfill her dream of studying Fine Arts in the real Paris, her plans are completely derailed when she starts developing unexpected feelings for the bachelor (Pierson Fodé).

It’s got everything we love about the genre: big dreams, picture-perfect settings, romantic mix-ups, and clichés on top of clichés. There’s even a little commentary on how dating shows have taken over pop culture. It’s sweet, light, and perfect for a family watch — especially if you have a teenage daughter or niece. After all, Miranda Cosgrove grew up on screen and became a touchstone for a whole generation: from Drake & Josh and iCarly to voicing Margo in Despicable Me, she built her image as a charismatic, funny, and smart leading lady.

French Lover – Netflix

On the same platform but with a different vibe, Omar Sy once again proves his undeniable charisma. He plays Abel Camara, a French superstar, child prodigy, sex symbol, and owner of a seemingly perfect life — until he hits a crisis. Marion, on the other hand, is far from the spotlight: recently divorced and working odd jobs, she crosses paths with Abel in the least romantic way possible. What follows is an emotional roller coaster that could only come from such an unlikely encounter.

It works because it’s essentially Notting Hill in reverse. Here, it’s the celebrity who discovers a genuine connection with a stranger. But will that relationship survive the pressures of fame?

All of You – Apple TV+

Brett Goldstein and Imogen Poots star as Simon and Laura, best friends since college who drift apart when Laura decides to take a test that promises to find her soulmate — despite years of unspoken feelings between them. Life goes on, but fate (or coincidence?) keeps bringing them back together.

More than just a romance, this film raises a very contemporary question: how much can we really trust algorithms and shortcuts to happiness to tell us who “the one” is? Between taking a risk and accepting destiny — which would you choose?

Fingernails – Apple TV+

Continuing with the theme of questioning scientific love, this 2023 film imagines a near future where you can find out if you and your partner are truly in love — by literally pulling out a fingernail. Anna (Jessie Buckley) and Ryan (Jeremy Allen White) have taken the test and passed, making them “official” soulmates. But when Anna begins working at the Love Institute, she starts doubting the system — especially after meeting Amir (Riz Ahmed).

The film flirts with discomfort (the test is painful, after all) but shines when it asks the ultimate question: follow science or follow your heart? And as a bonus, it features a beautiful revival of the 1980s hit “Only You,” making it even more memorable.

Incompatible – Disney+

To wrap things up, a Brazilian touch. Fábio is about to marry the girl of his dreams when a compatibility test says their match is a mistake. His fiancée breaks off the engagement, and he launches a YouTube channel to challenge the creator of the test. The story hits all the expected rom-com beats, but it works — proving that algorithms and romance can happily coexist in a sweet comedy.

Love in cinema has never needed logic. Whether it’s Paris turning out to be Texas, painful fingernail tests, algorithms that dictate the future, or celebrities bumping into clumsy waitresses, what truly matters is the emotional journey. These movies aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel — and that’s a good thing. They deliver exactly what they promise: comfort, lightness, and a reminder that no matter what, believing in love is always worth it.