Why do we love rom-coms? After sitting down with the cast and crew of “Meet Cute in Manhattan” (2025), we may have an answer.
“Meet Cute in Manhattan” follows Jason (Terence Chen), a lover of rom-coms and an actor who wishes to bring more Asian representation to the big screen. After quite literally running into Nora (Kendall Leary), an aspiring architect and current barista, at a local café, Jason is quick to rope Nora in for a commercial audition. After sparks fly in the audition, the director, determined to build on the pair’s chemistry, throws them straight into an ad campaign for the viral dating app “Meet Cute.” As the two continue the campaign, they begin to fall for one another while also growing as individuals.
The idea for this film was born like much art in the past several years — straight out of the COVID-19 lockdown. In an effort to bring the genre back to its prime, Chen, who also cowrote the film, pulled much inspiration from films of the late 1990s and early 2000s, as well as rom-coms based specifically in New York. In the end, the goal was to create a story that would pay homage to the rom-com classics while also creating something new and unique.
“We really love the genre and wanted to pay homage to what we grew up with,” Chen said in an interview with the Daily.
One of the most unique aspects of this film is its meta-narrative. Not only is the film’s narrative the story that’s pitched to in-universe producers, but the narrative itself is also a reflection of Jason and Nora’s love story. In fact, the story within the film is pulled from Jason’s memory, much like “(500) Days of Summer” (2009), one of the many films that inspired “Meet Cute.”
Not only is “Meet Cute” heavily inspired by some of the most iconic romantic comedies of all time, but director Karen Morey also took inspiration from the Mark Zuckerberg biopic “The Social Network” (2010) when crafting this story within a story.
“I love in ‘The Social Network,’ too, how there’s a story arc within the meta-narrative,” Morey said. “I wanted to have a rom-com within a rom-com.”
Another important theme of “Meet Cute” is not only representation in the film industry but also in rom-coms specifically. Within classic rom-coms, there is a severe lack of diversity, as most leading roles are portrayed by white actors. However, “Meet Cute” highlights the diversity of New York without falling into the trap of making a character nothing more than their race. “This film isn’t about being Asian, but being Asian is a really important part of the film. … It’s a part of the story, but it’s not the pure narrative,” Chen said. “Not every role I’m in has to be about my ethnicity.”
This push for diversity does not end on screen. With a diverse team of department heads, many of whom were women, the crew behind “Meet Cute” captures Manhattan for what it is: a city made up of over 1 million people from different walks of life. Love — regardless of who you are — can linger in any boba shop, cafe or New York Mets game.
While building on the foundation of classic rom-coms, “Meet Cute” also aims to allow the characters to grow individually. Not only do the characters find strength and comfort in one another, but after their connection, they begin to pursue their dreams with a renewed vigor. Once again, the film is able to bring rom-com timelessness into the modern age by expanding on how meeting the right person can change everything.
“It’s not just a story about finding the one, but it is a story about finding yourself,” Leary said.
In another effort to capture the colors and fantasy of the city and the whirlwind romance, the team pulled inspiration from “La La Land” (2016). As Chen points out, New York City is the place that ambitious souls flock to. Like “La La Land” and “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999), “Meet Cute” strives to create an experience that offers comfort, hope, inspiration and optimism for those chasing after their goals.
In addition to nods to “La La Land” in the set and costume design, “(500) Days of Summer” in the crafting of the narrative and “10 Things I Hate About You” in its New York setting, the team also pulled inspiration from “To All the Boys I Loved Before” (2018), “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” (2003) and “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993). These classics embody important traits that rom-coms currently seem to lack: sweetness and goodness. “Meet Cute” does not spend its runtime making fun of itself and the desire for love. Instead, it brings color, joy and nostalgia back to movies.
With the inclusion of the dating app “Meet Cute,” the film is able to bring the tenderness of classic rom-coms straight into the modern age. Many can relate to turning to dating apps for love, affection and companionship. However, by using the dating app campaign to bring Jason and Nora together rather than a match on said app, the fondness of an old-fashioned “meet cute” remains.
So, why do we love rom-coms? Maybe because they represent how, even in a city with a million different people, we can brush shoulders with someone who will change our life. Maybe because they offer an escape into a world more bright and colorful than our own. Or maybe there is simply something hopeful about two people finding each other in the most ordinary ways. All it takes is a meet cute.
“Meet Cute in Manhattan” releases on video on demand, including Prime Video, on March 28.
