Netflix knows exactly what you want on a rainy Tuesday night. You want scenery. You want a low-stakes conflict. You want two people who clearly like each other to pretend they don't for eighty-eight minutes. That’s the core appeal of Love is in the Air, the 2023 Australian rom-com starring Delta Goodrem and Joshua Sasse. It isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s just trying to make the wheel look really pretty against a Great Barrier Reef backdrop.
Honestly, the movie feels like a warm hug from a very attractive stranger.
It follows Dana Randall, a pilot for a struggling non-profit aviation business in Queensland. Then comes William, a corporate "fixer" sent from London to shut her down. You’ve seen this movie before. We all have. But there’s a reason this specific formula works so well in the streaming era, and it mostly has to do with the chemistry and the setting.
The Queensland Aesthetic is the Secret Star
Most people watching Love is in the Air aren't there for a complex screenplay. They're there for the Whitsundays. The film was shot on location in the Whitsunday Islands, specifically around Airlie Beach. It looks incredible.
The cinematography leans heavily into the "tropical postcard" vibe. You get these sweeping aerial shots of the turquoise water that make you want to immediately close your laptop and book a flight to Australia. It’s effective. Director Adrian Powers understands that in a movie like this, the environment is a character. If the location feels cheap, the romance feels cheap. Here, the heat and the humidity practically roll off the screen.
Dana, played by Australian pop icon Delta Goodrem, is the heart of the operation. It’s her first major film role in years. She’s charming. She’s believable as a pilot who cares more about her community than her bank account.
Then you have Joshua Sasse. He plays William, the suit-wearing Brit who eventually loses the tie. Sasse is a veteran of this genre—you might remember him from Galavant or No Tomorrow. He does the "corporate guy with a hidden soul" thing better than most. When he arrives in the tropics, his discomfort is the primary source of humor.
Why the "Corporate Saboteur" Trope Still Works
The plot is basic. William’s father runs ITCM Financial, the big bad corporation. They want to cut the "bleeding" assets. Dana’s Fullerton Airways is one of them. William goes undercover to see why the numbers don't add up, only to realize that the airline provides essential services to remote islands.
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It’s a classic David vs. Goliath setup.
What makes it interesting is that the movie doesn't make William a villain. He’s just a guy who looks at spreadsheets. He’s disconnected. The movie spends its time showing him—and us—why life isn't just about profit margins. It’s about the people who need medicine, mail, and transport in places where big jets can't land.
Breaking Down the Supporting Cast
You can't have a rom-com without a quirky support system.
- Roy Billings as Jeff: He plays Dana’s father. He’s the emotional anchor. His performance provides a bit of gravitas that keeps the movie from floating away into pure fluff.
- Steph Tisdell as Nikki: She is the comedic relief and the mechanic. Her timing is great. She represents the "real" side of the aviation business.
The banter between Nikki and Dana feels lived-in. It’s one of the few parts of the script that feels genuinely local to Australia, using slang and rhythms that don't feel like they were written by a Hollywood committee trying to sound "Aussie."
Addressing the "Low Stakes" Criticism
Critics weren't exactly kind to Love is in the Air. It sits with a fairly middling score on Rotten Tomatoes. But here is the thing: critics often grade rom-coms on a curve that the audience doesn't care about.
Is it predictable? Yes.
Is the "big secret" reveal handled with the subtlety of a sledgehammer? Absolutely.
Does it matter? Not really.
The film belongs to a sub-genre I like to call "Laundry Folding Movies." These are films you put on while you're doing something else. They provide a high-definition, aesthetically pleasing background that doesn't require 100% of your brainpower. In 2026, where every prestige TV show is a dark, gritty deconstruction of the human soul, there is a massive market for a movie where the biggest problem is a broken Cessna engine and a corporate merger.
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The Technical Side of the Flight
For the aviation geeks, the movie actually uses a real GAF Nomad. This is an Australian-built aircraft, which adds a layer of authenticity to the "local business" narrative. Seeing the plane handle the short island strips is genuinely cool.
The production was supported by Screen Queensland. This is part of a larger trend of "destination cinema." Australia has been positioning itself as a hub for these types of productions because they boost tourism. It’s working. Search interest for the Whitsundays spiked significantly after the movie hit the Top 10 globally on Netflix.
How it Compares to Other Netflix Rom-Coms
If you liked A Perfect Pairing (also filmed in Queensland) or Falling Inn Love, you’ll like this. It’s part of the same cinematic universe of "Woman with a niche job meets man who needs to loosen up."
However, Love is in the Air feels slightly more grounded because it deals with the reality of remote island life. It’s not just about a girl winning a winery or a hotel; it’s about a service that people actually rely on for survival. That gives the stakes a tiny bit more weight than your average Hallmark flick.
Navigating the Clichés
Let's talk about the rain scene. Every rom-com has one. In this movie, it’s a tropical storm. It’s the catalyst for the two leads to finally stop arguing and start looking at each other intensely. It’s a trope, but the lighting is great.
There’s also the "secret laptop" trope. William is typing his report about shutting them down while Dana is being nice to him. We know she’s going to find it. We know he’s going to feel bad. We know there will be a third-act breakup.
The movie follows the beat sheet perfectly:
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- The Meet-Cute (Inciting Incident)
- The Growing Respect (Rising Action)
- The Secret Revealed (The Crisis)
- The Grand Gesture (Resolution)
It’s comforting because you know exactly where you’re going. There are no nasty surprises here.
Expert Take: The Delta Goodrem Factor
Delta Goodrem is a massive star in Australia. She’s had multi-platinum albums and a long stint on The Voice. Her casting was a strategic move. For international audiences, she’s a fresh face who is undeniably likable. For Australians, she’s a household name.
Her performance is natural. She doesn't overact the "clumsy girl" tropes that often plague these movies. She plays Dana as a competent professional who just happens to be in a tough spot financially. That competence makes her a much more relatable lead than the "struggling hot mess" archetype we often see.
Is it Worth the Watch?
If you want a deep exploration of the human condition, look elsewhere.
If you want to look at beautiful water and watch two people fall in love while wearing linen shirts, this is your movie.
It’s short. It’s 88 minutes. It doesn't overstay its welcome. In a world where movies are becoming three-hour marathons, there is something deeply respectful about a film that gets in, tells its story, and gets out before the popcorn is even finished.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Movie Night
To get the most out of Love is in the Air, keep these things in mind:
- Check the scenery: If you're a travel enthusiast, pay attention to the aerial shots of Heart Reef. It’s a real natural formation and arguably the most famous spot in the Great Barrier Reef.
- Support local: The film used a lot of local Australian crew and talent. It’s a good example of how streaming platforms are diversifying their production hubs outside of North America.
- Double-feature it: If you're on a rom-com kick, pair this with A Perfect Pairing. Both show off the Australian landscape in very different ways (outback vs. coast).
- Expect the tropes: Don't go in looking for twists. Lean into the predictability. It’s part of the relaxation.
The best way to enjoy this film is to stop scrolling and just let the Queensland sun wash over you for an hour and a half. Sometimes, that’s exactly what the weekend calls for.
Next Steps for Your Viewing Experience
- Verify your streaming quality: Ensure your Netflix settings are set to High or Ultra HD to actually appreciate the 4K cinematography of the Whitsunday Islands.
- Research the location: If the film inspired a trip, look into "Airlie Beach" or "Hamilton Island" travel guides for the 2026 season.
- Explore the soundtrack: Delta Goodrem contributed to the music; if you liked the vibe, her discography offers similar upbeat, melodic pop.
- Contextualize the genre: Read up on the "Netflix Romance" formula to see how algorithms are shaping the way these movies are written and produced for global audiences.