Netflix's Along for the Ride is the behemoth streamer's first Sarah Dessen adaptation out of the three that have been optioned. An icon in the world of young adult literature, Dessen often tells beachside tales that involve lost souls finding themselves and each other. This upcoming adaptation is emblematic of her work, following a teenager who escapes to the seaside town of Colby to stay with her father and stepmother the summer before college. While she struggles to break out of her shell, she befriends a mysterious loner in town who is dealing with a heavy past of his own.

Along For The Ride stars relatively fresh faces, with Emma Pasarow (Super Pumped) playing the awkward yet brilliant Auden and Belmont Cameli (Saved By The Bell) portraying the reclusive but earnest Eli. The film is anchored, however, by performances from veteran actors in key roles. Andie MacDowell, Dermot Mulroney and Kate Bosworth play Auden's parents and stepmother respectively, who all are crucial to her evolution over the course of the story.

Related: Along for the Ride Trailer Reveals First Look At Netflix’s Sarah Dessen Movie

Pasarow and Cameli spoke to Screen Rant about what draws Auden and Eli to each other in their moments of loneliness, how they handle sleeplessness, and what their own formative young adult fiction consists of.

Pasarow & Cameli in AFTR
ALONG FOR THE RIDE (2022) Belmont Cameli as Eli and Emma Pasarow as Auden. Cr: Emily V. Aragones/NETFLIX

Screen Rant: Auden is often uneasy in her surroundings and even with her parents. What does her visit to Colby represent in terms of her growth?

Emma Pasarow: Yeah, I think that Auden is a perfectionist, and her whole life is very focused on doing things correctly. But what that does is limit what she does, because she doesn't want to make any mistakes. She knows what she's good at; she's incredibly studious, and smart; she knows how to hang out in a room full of adults. But it's not until she comes to Colby [that] she exposes herself to new experiences new people, and it puts her in a very vulnerable place.

But I think it's precisely because she's in that environment, meeting these new people, that she's able to grow and expand; make mistakes out loud, and be unafraid.

I love that journey for her. Early on, we are told that Eli has not had anything going on with anyone for quite some time. But he's immediately drawn to Auden. What is it about her that sparks his interest?

Belmont Cameli: There's something about Auden that Eli sees; a part of himself that he's kind of put in the past. When we meet Eli, his life is kind of on pause, and he's very [reclusive]. He's very alone in that endeavor until he finds Auden up at night on the pier when he's out there too.

I think they have an immediate connection. Emma, [screenwriter] Fia and I talked about this term called "antenna people." It's somebody who you may not have even met yet, but when they walk into the room, you're immediately attracted or connected to that person. I think Eli and Auden kind of have that, and they were just naturally inclined to be together and to sort through their lives together.

That's beautiful. Late night hangouts are how Auden and Eli combat their insomnia. Have either of you ever experienced the inability to sleep, and what do you do when you have?

Emma Pasarow: Yeah, absolutely. I'm the biggest journaler ever. I've been doing it ever since I was 11 years old, and it takes a bunch of forms. It's me thinking through the day, chronicling things I want to remember.

But also, a lot of times if I can't sleep, it's because I have thoughts swirling in my head. And so if I can just get it out of my brain and onto a piece of paper, close that book and put it away, usually that works for me.

Belmont Cameli: I have no trouble sleeping. I can sleep at any given moment. I'm sorry. But I love sleeping. I'm a big dreamer, and I have a dream journal. I write everything down. They're always very peculiar.

When I go to sleep at night, I'm ready to watch the television that my brain decides on.

That is amazing. Sarah Dessen is known for her young adult fiction, which got me through my own young adulthood. What novels or movies speak to your young adulthood or teenage years?

Emma Pasarow: I have always been a really big reader, but when I think about the formative books?

The Harry Potter series was one that I really fell in love with, because it's simultaneously all about growing up, hormones and being a teen. But then also, it takes you to this magical world. It's about embracing yourself and all these things. I really became obsessed with that world.

Belmont Cameli: I don't know why Dead Poets Society comes to mind for me, but that movie was really important to me when I was growing up.

Along For The Ride Synopsis

Cast of AFTR
ALONG FOR THE RIDE (2022), L to R: Emma Pasarow as Auden, Laura Kariuki as Maggie, Samia Finnerty as Esther, & Genevieve Hannelius as Leah. Cr. Emily V. Aragones / Netflix

During the summer before college, Auden meets the mysterious Eli, a fellow insomniac. While the seaside town of Colby sleeps, the two embark on nightly quests to help Auden experience the fun, carefree life she never knew she wanted.

Check back soon for our interview with Along For The Ride star Kate Bosworth.

More: 10 Most Anticipated Netflix Movies Releasing Summer 2022

Along For The Ride premieres May 6 on Netflix.