Is Simone Ashley's "Picture This" (2025) Just Another Wannabe Rom-Com Movie?

As a massive fan of rom-coms — especially those classic late 90s and 2000s gems that just hit differently no matter how many times I rewatch them — I always approach new releases with a little bit of skepticism. It’s honestly been a while since I’ve watched a recent rom-com that truly amazed me, as most of them follow the same old, predictable template. But when I heard that Picture This (2025) was coming out, starring Simone Ashley as the main lead, I was intrigued. I absolutely loved her in the Bridgerton series, and seeing her step into a rom-com role definitely caught my attention.

Photo from imdb.com

The Plot

The story follows Pia, a struggling photographer who owns her own photo studio. Her love for photography is deeply rooted, as her grandmother always dreamed of becoming a photographer herself. One day, Pia receives an unexpected prediction: true love awaits her in her next five dates. As her sister's wedding approaches and her family starts playing matchmaker, Pia’s love life takes a chaotic turn when her ex suddenly reappears. It’s one of those plots that sound promising on paper, but the execution didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Characters and Chemistry

To be honest, none of the characters particularly stood out. They all felt like the typical rom-com characters we’ve seen a hundred times before. My biggest gripe was with the chemistry between the main characters. Don’t get me wrong — when they were in the same frame, I enjoyed their interactions and felt the connection. But the problem was that we didn’t get nearly enough of those moments. For a rom-com, I expected way more of them actually being together on screen.

If I’m being completely honest, I wouldn’t even label this as a rom-com. It felt more like a self-discovery movie that tried to throw in a few comedic elements that didn’t quite land. I just really wish we had seen the main leads together more often, as that would’ve made it feel more like the romantic comedy it was supposed to be.

Memorable Moments? Not Really

There was one plot twist that had a bit of a shock factor and some comedic flair, but other than that, there weren’t any scenes that left a lasting impression. I can barely remember anything particularly memorable after watching it.

Acting and Cinematic Elements

On the bright side, the acting itself was actually pretty good. The cast consisted of talented actors who didn’t give off that cheesy Hallmark movie vibe. I also appreciated the cinematic elements — visually, it was well done. It’s just that the story and the way the characters were handled didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

My Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a feel-good rom-com that makes you swoon and believe in love again, Picture This (2025) probably isn’t it. But if you’re going through something and need a movie that’s more about personal growth and finding your way, it might resonate with you. I did appreciate the message that being in love and accepting support from family, friends, and a partner isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s okay to lean on people sometimes.

I’d rate it a 6 out of 10. It was enjoyable enough and not too cringe, but it didn’t give me that rom-com magic I was hoping for. Plus, I don’t see myself rewatching it anytime soon. If you’ve seen it, I’d love to know your thoughts!