Along for the Ride is a 2022 American romantic drama film written and directed by Sofia Alvarez, based on the novel of the same name by Sarah Dessen.

The film stars Emma Pasarow, Belmont Cameli, Kate Bosworth, Laura Kariuki, Andie MacDowell and Dermot Mulroney.

[1] The film's official logline reads: "The summer before college Auden meets the mysterious Eli, a fellow insomniac.

While the seaside town of Colby sleeps, the two embark on a nightly quest to help Auden experience the fun, carefree teen life she never knew she wanted.

"[2] Eighteen-year-old Auden West, a recent high school graduate, goes to stay with her father Robert in the small beachside town of Colby, wanting to spend a carefree summer reinventing herself before she leaves for college.

[4] An absentee dad for years, locking himself away in his office to work on his studies, he has an infant daughter Thisbe with his new wife, Heidi.

Auden gets closer to the girls, being invited both to watch Maggie do cross-country BMX biking and to a Conch House party.

Auden calls her mother for help, who supports Heidi for taking a stand for herself and assures her that she did the right thing by demanding better from Robert.

After an honest conversation with Heidi, Robert takes on his fatherly responsibilities that he had long avoided, and starts helping out with Thisbe.

[8] Sofia Alvarez, who had previously adapted two of Jenny Han's novels for the platform, was hired to write the screenplay and direct the film.

[12][13] Filming continued through early June which included shooting at County Line MX, located in Bolton, North Carolina.

[7][3] At least one critic said the film lacks the continuous spark of a traditional teen rom-com, seen in To All The Boys I've Loved Before, and laid partial blame on the perceived flat and bottled Auden portrayal by Pasarow.