The 2009 novel Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen (published by Viking) has made its way to the screen with a film adaptation premiering on Netflix. Starring Emma Pasarow as Auden and Belmont Cameli as Eli, the film invites viewers into a coming-of-age romance filled with late-night adventures and self-discovery in a picturesque beach town. The movie was written and directed by Sofia Alvarez, known for her work on the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before adaptations.
Produced by Screen Arcade, Along for the Ride will be available for streaming starting May 6. It features a supporting cast that includes Dermot Mulroney as Auden’s father, Kate Bosworth as her stepmother Heidi, and Andie MacDowell as her academic-minded mother. The film also stars Genevieve Hannelius, Laura Kariuki, and Paul Karmiryan in key roles.
The story centers on Auden, a studious and reserved teen who chooses to spend the summer before college in the coastal town of Colby, North Carolina, with her father and his new family. Her hopes for quality time with her dad quickly fade as he buries himself in work. Struggling with insomnia and a sense of disconnection, Auden crosses paths with Eli, a fellow night owl who works at a bike shop. Their late-night meetings spark a friendship that gradually turns into something more, as Eli helps Auden experience a freer, more playful version of teenage life she never knew she missed.
Director and screenwriter Alvarez found herself deeply invested in the project, creating playlists for character moods that later inspired the film’s music. Working with music supervisors Jane Abernethy and Jessica Berndt, Alvarez shaped the soundtrack into something emotionally resonant for both the characters and viewers.
Author Sarah Dessen expressed her trust in Alvarez’s vision, saying that after years of potential adaptations, this one felt right. She appreciated that Alvarez respected the tone and emotional core of the novel. Dessen even makes a cameo in the film, along with other crew members, filling in as extras during Covid-era production when people were scarce on set.
Though not every subplot from the book made it into the final cut—like the storyline involving Auden’s brother—fans will still find beloved Easter eggs, such as the fictional perfume Booty Berry. There’s also a heartfelt emphasis on small, quiet moments, like a scene of Auden and Eli bonding over Connect Four in a pie shop or exchanging glances during a nighttime drive—scenes that Alvarez believes truly capture youthful vulnerability and connection.
Ultimately, Along for the Ride is more than just a teen romance. It touches on themes of grief, growing up, and second chances—offering a message that resonates across generations. Alvarez hopes the film will speak to anyone who’s ever wished for a do-over or felt like they missed out. Dessen, too, is looking ahead, with plans to start writing again once her daughter heads off to summer camp—hopeful that the creative spark is returning after a tough pandemic stretch.
