Gina Rodriguez is playing for keeps in her new rom-com.
On Thursday, Netflix debuted the trailer for Players, showcasing Rodriguez as New York City sportswriter Mack, who has made a habit of creating “plays” with her friends (like Damon Wayans Jr.’s Adam) to win over potential hookups on nights out.
Mack takes an interest in a war reporter named Nick (Tom Ellis) and realizes she is interested in a relationship with him, not just a fling. As she confides in her friends that she wants to win Nick over, the group decides to put their wingmen chemistry to the test in order to help Mack and Nick fall in love.
“I went to college in New York and lived in Brooklyn. This felt like a love letter to Brooklyn and there were so many memories that came flooding in while shooting,” Rodriguez, 39, tells PEOPLE about the Big Apple setting.
About making the film, the Someone Great actress says, “Because of this movie, I have new friends that are there for me for life.”
“They knew me before being a mom and we had an absolute wild time, and now we have new experiences with my baby boy — like movie dates at 1 p.m.!” she says with a laugh. “I will remember most how easy and joyous it was to make art, and how that should be the norm. There were no egos. Full collaboration: When someone had a funnier joke, they weren’t afraid to give it away. It was so beautiful.”
A synopsis for the movie says Mack, Adam and their group’s set of “plays” they use to obtain partners “comes with a strict set of ground rules — chief among them: you can’t build a relationship from a play.”
“When Mack unexpectedly falls for her latest target, charming war correspondent Nick, she begins to rethink the game entirely. As the lines between work, fun, friendship and romance begin to blur, Mack must learn what it takes to go from simply scoring to playing for keeps.”
Players is directed by Trish Sie, who directed 2017’s Pitch Perfect 3.
“The world is in need of a sweet escape,” Sie tells PEOPLE of what makes her new movie perfect for a Valentine’s Day watch. “Players is both tender-hearted and irreverent. It’s cheeky, but it’s kind. It’s a reminder that love is always possible, and friendships are priceless.”
“You’re gonna love this movie whether you’re home alone with a cup of tea, cuddled up with your sweetheart or your best friend or your mom or your tribe of pals from college,” Sie adds. “It’s just a big, warm, good time. It’s dessert; and like I said, there’s always room for dessert!”
The cast also includes Joel Courtney, Augustus Prew, Liza Koshy, Saturday Night Live‘s Ego Nwodim and Marin Hinkle.
Players is on Netflix Feb. 14.