Ready for a trip to Morocco? So is Laura Dern. In the new romance Lonely Planetfrom Susannah Grant (Erin Brockovich), Dern plays Katherine, a novelist who heads overseas only to fall headfirst into a most unlikely love story of her own. “Katherine has spent her life dedicated to narrative and therefore [hasn’t spent] much time looking at deep truth within,” Dern told Netflix. “She is at a turning point in her life where she is looking for a softening and deeper understanding, and she finds it in a love story.”
That love story comes in the shape of Liam Hemsworth, who was thrilled to work with the Oscar winner. “Sharing scenes with Laura Dern was an absolute privilege,” Hemsworth said. “She has this remarkable talent for drawing you in, making every moment feel intimate and real.”
In other words, Lonely Planet is exactly what we need as the heady last days of summer turn into the chilly months of autumn; it provides a blast of heat that’ll have you reaching for a fan. Read on for a dedicated travel guide, and stay tuned as your Lonely Planet reservation gets closer.
What is Lonely Planet about?
A reclusive novelist arrives at a writer’s retreat in Morocco, hoping the remote setting will unlock her writer’s block. While there, she meets a young man — what starts as an acquaintanceship evolves into an intoxicating, life-altering love affair.
For Dern, Lonely Planet had a lot of attractive qualities. “What drew me to the story was the exploration of identity and self-worth within relationships, especially in a world as intellectually charged as the literary scene,” she said. “The dynamic between the younger man and the older, established writer intrigued me because it’s not just about romance — it’s about finding someone who truly sees and understands you, which is something deeply human and relatable.”
Who’s in the cast of Lonely Planet?
The cast of Lonely Planet includes:
Dern and Hemsworth became fast friends on set in Morocco. “Liam was pure magic,” Dern said. “He became not only a buddy and a confidant through our Moroccan adventure, but our shared longing [for] honesty and intimacy in all relationships was very moving to me. We were very aligned, so getting to tell this story together meant the world … and he is friggin’ hilarious, so I laughed the entire time.”
When will Lonely Planet be on Netflix?
Lonely Planet hits Netflix on Oct. 11. Book your trip now.
