What You Need to Know About the Regretting You Movie
The regretting you movie is a 2025 romantic drama film based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2019 novel of the same name. Directed by Josh Boone and starring Allison Williams and Mckenna Grace, the film follows a mother and daughter who must steer grief and family secrets after a tragic accident reveals a devastating betrayal.
Quick Facts:
- Release Date: October 24, 2025 (Theatrical), December 23, 2025 (Paramount+)
- Director: Josh Boone (The Fault in Our Stars)
- Main Cast: Allison Williams (Morgan Grant), Mckenna Grace (Clara Grant), Dave Franco (Jonah Sullivan), Mason Thames (Miller Adams)
- Runtime: 116 minutes (1 hour 56 minutes)
- Rating: PG-13
- Budget: $30 million
- Box Office: $90 million worldwide
- Critical Score: 27% on Rotten Tomatoes, 33 on Metacritic
- Audience Score: 85% on Rotten Tomatoes
The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s work has sparked considerable conversation. While critics largely dismissed it with Rotten Tomatoes declaring it “regrettable all around,” audiences responded much more positively. The movie earned three times its production budget at the global box office, demonstrating the enduring appeal of BookTok favorites and the author’s devoted fanbase.
At its core, the story explores how Morgan Grant and her teenage daughter Clara confront devastating revelations about their family after Clara’s father Chris and Morgan’s sister Jenny die in a car accident. The findy that the two were having an affair sets off a chain of events that forces both women to redefine their understanding of love, trust, and family bonds.
Whether you’re a longtime Colleen Hoover reader curious about how her emotional storytelling translates to screen, or simply looking for your next romantic drama, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about the Regretting You movie experience.
From Page to Screen: The Story and Source Material
Source: IMDb
This section explores the narrative journey from Colleen Hoover’s novel to the cinematic adaptation, delving into its plot, themes, and source.
The Heartbreak and Hope of the Plot
The regretting you movie plunges us into a complex family drama spanning nearly two decades, centered around the lives of Morgan Grant and her daughter Clara. The story kicks off with Morgan Davidson at 17, finding she’s pregnant by her boyfriend, Chris. Despite her initial plans for college, Morgan chooses to marry Chris, and they build a life together, raising their daughter Clara.
Seventeen years later, their seemingly stable lives are shattered by an unimaginable tragedy. Chris and Morgan’s sister, Jenny, die in a traffic accident. In the devastating aftermath, Morgan and Jenny’s boyfriend, Jonah Sullivan, uncover a shocking betrayal: Chris and Jenny were having an affair. This revelation shatters everything Morgan thought she knew about her marriage and her sister, leaving her reeling with grief, anger, and confusion.
As Morgan grapples with this profound infidelity and loss, her teenage daughter Clara Grant is navigating her own world of first love and aspirations. Clara meets Miller Adams, a charming classmate with whom she shares a passion for film. Their budding romance provides a counterpoint to the adult world’s complications, but Clara soon finds herself caught in the crossfire of her mother’s pain and the newly exposed family secrets.
The film carefully details how this tragedy forces Morgan and Clara to confront uncomfortable truths, redefine their relationships, and find their own paths forward. Morgan, struggling to trust again, finds an unexpected connection with Jonah, who is also heartbroken by Jenny’s betrayal. Meanwhile, Clara’s relationship with Miller deepens amidst the chaos, as she seeks to understand her mother’s choices and forge her own identity. The narrative skillfully weaves together their individual journeys of healing, forgiveness, and self-findy. For more insights into the movie’s emotional journey, visit our dedicated page for Regretting You.
Colleen Hoover’s Bestselling Novel
The regretting you movie is an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2019 novel, Regretting You. Colleen Hoover, often affectionately known as “CoHo” by her dedicated fanbase, has become a literary phenomenon, particularly through the BookTok community on social media. Her books are renowned for their emotional depth, relatable characters, and often heart-wrenching plots that explore complex relationships and tough life choices.
Regretting You is a standalone novel that exemplifies Hoover’s signature style. It digs into the intricacies of a mother-daughter bond tested by unforeseen circumstances and profound secrets. The book’s popularity laid a strong foundation for its cinematic adaptation, drawing in countless readers who were eager to see Morgan and Clara’s story brought to life on screen. The global appeal of Hoover’s storytelling is evident in the novel’s diverse international titles and widespread readership, indicating that its themes resonate across various cultures and demographics.
Key Themes Explored
The regretting you movie explores a rich mix of themes that resonate deeply with audiences:
- Grief and Resilience: At its core, the film is a powerful exploration of how individuals cope with immense loss and betrayal. Both Morgan and Clara experience profound grief, not just for the deceased but for the lives they thought they had. Their journey showcases the difficult process of healing and finding resilience in the face of heartbreak.
- Family Dynamics: The movie intricately portrays the complexities of family relationships. The mother-daughter bond between Morgan and Clara is central, shifting and evolving under the weight of secrets and new revelations. It also examines the shattered illusion of a perfect family and the messy reality of human connections.
- Teenage Pregnancy: The film opens with Morgan’s teenage pregnancy, setting the stage for the life choices that shape her future. This theme touches on responsibility, sacrifice, and the impact of early parenthood on personal dreams and aspirations.
- First Love: Clara’s burgeoning relationship with Miller provides a tender exploration of first love, innocence, and the challenges of young romance amidst family turmoil. Their story highlights the hope and vulnerability that come with new connections.
- Forgiveness: A crucial theme, the film grapples with the arduous path to forgiveness – forgiving others for their betrayals, and perhaps even more importantly, forgiving oneself for past regrets and choices.
- Self-Findy: Both Morgan and Clara start on journeys of self-findy. Morgan must redefine herself outside of her role as Chris’s wife and Jenny’s sister, while Clara steers adolescence, love, and the painful truths about her family, all while figuring out who she is meant to be.
- Betrayal: The shocking revelation of Chris and Jenny’s affair is the catalyst for much of the film’s drama, exploring the devastating impact of betrayal on trust, love, and family foundations.
These interconnected themes create an emotional rollercoaster, making the regretting you movie a compelling watch for fans of character-driven dramas.
Meet the Cast and Crew of the “Regretting You” Movie
This section introduces the talent that brought the story to life, both in front of and behind the camera.
The Star-Studded Cast
The success of any adaptation hinges significantly on its cast, and the regretting you movie boasts a lineup of talented actors who embody Colleen Hoover’s complex characters. We were thrilled to see such a strong ensemble bringing this emotional story to the screen.
Here’s a look at the main cast and the characters they portray:
- Allison Williams as Morgan Grant: Williams takes on the challenging role of Morgan, the mother whose world is upended by betrayal and grief. Her performance was noted by some critics for its “deadpan” delivery, which, while perhaps contributing to the film’s “absurdity” for some, undeniably added a unique layer to the character’s struggle.
- Mckenna Grace as Clara Grant: Grace portrays Clara, Morgan’s teenage daughter, who steers first love and the fallout of her family’s secrets. Her “magnetic performance” was praised by reviewers, with one user on IMDb noting that she “lifts the material.”
- Dave Franco as Jonah Sullivan: Franco plays Jonah, Jenny’s heartbroken boyfriend who finds an unexpected connection with Morgan. His “relentlessly dry delivery” also contributed to the film’s distinctive tone.
- Mason Thames as Miller Adams: Thames steps into the role of Miller, Clara’s love interest. The on-screen chemistry between Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames was widely described as “effervescent,” with reports even suggesting they “improvised ‘a lot of kisses'” during filming, adding a layer of authenticity to their young romance.
- Scott Eastwood as Chris Grant: Eastwood portrays Chris, Morgan’s husband and Clara’s father, whose posthumous betrayal sets the entire plot in motion.
- Willa Fitzgerald as Jenny Davidson: Fitzgerald plays Jenny, Morgan’s sister, whose affair with Chris is revealed after their tragic accident.
- Clancy Brown as Hank ‘Gramps’ Adams: Brown brings a touch of warmth as Miller’s grandfather, offering a grounding presence amidst the drama.
The casting announcements generated significant buzz, as we reported when North.Five.Six. & WME Independent launched sales on the adaptation. You can read about the casting announcement to see how these talented individuals came together for the project.
Behind the Camera: Production Details
Bringing a beloved novel like Regretting You to the big screen requires a skilled team behind the camera, and the regretting you movie was helmed by experienced filmmakers.
The film was directed by Josh Boone, known for his work on other emotional dramas, most notably The Fault in Our Stars, another successful adaptation of a popular young adult novel. Boone also penned the screenplay, translating Colleen Hoover’s intricate narrative and emotional depth into a cinematic script.
A collaboration of several production companies brought the film to fruition, including Constantin Film, FVR Entertainment, and Frayed Pages Entertainment. Paramount Pictures served as the distributor, ensuring the film reached audiences across the United States.
While specific filming locations are often varied for large productions, we know that principal photography for the regretting you movie took place in various locations, contributing to the film’s visual aesthetic. The musical score, a crucial element in romantic dramas, was composed by Nathaniel Walcott. Walcott has a history of collaborating with Josh Boone, having previously scored his films Stuck in Love and The Fault in Our Stars, making him a natural fit to craft the emotional soundscape for Regretting You.
Release, Reception, and Financials
How did the film fare with critics, audiences, and at the box office? This section breaks down the numbers and reviews.
Release Dates and Where to Watch
The anticipation for the regretting you movie was palpable among Colleen Hoover’s fans. The film made its grand debut at the Zoo Palast in Berlin on October 12, 2025, marking its international premiere. Soon after, it was released in Germany on October 23, 2025.
For audiences in the United States, the theatrical release came on October 24, 2025. Many fans flocked to cinemas to experience the emotional rollercoaster on the big screen.
If you missed its theatrical run, or simply prefer the comfort of your own home, you’ll be pleased to know that the regretting you movie is scheduled for a streaming release. It will become available on Paramount+ starting December 23, 2025, making it a perfect holiday watch for those seeking a compelling drama.
Critical Reception of the “Regretting You” Movie
The critical reception for the regretting you movie was, to put it mildly, mixed to unfavorable. We saw a significant divergence between professional critics and the general audience, a common phenomenon for adaptations of popular books, especially those with a strong emotional core.
Rotten Tomatoes, the aggregate review site, reported that only 27% of 86 critics’ reviews were positive, leading to a consensus that was succinctly summarized as “Regrettable all around.” Metacritic, another prominent review aggregator, assigned the film an even lower score of 33 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating “generally unfavorable” reviews.
Critics pointed to various issues, often highlighting what they perceived as a jarring tone and even unintentional humor. One reviewer noted that Allison Williams, despite being a “reigning deadpan queen of the absurd,” and Dave Franco’s “relentlessly dry delivery,” contributed to a sense of “unintentional comedy” and a “psychotic” feel to the movie. They questioned whether the filmmakers were trying to undercut the drama or simply didn’t know what they were doing, suggesting the film’s “abject lunacy” might stem from an awkwardness amidst sadness.
Other criticisms included the plot’s convolutions, a lack of emotional intelligence in handling complex themes, and the film being “mild and bumpy” with momentum often jolted by “uninspired romance, mechanical delivery and off-timed humor.” Despite these critiques, some reviewers acknowledged the actors’ efforts, even if the direction and editing were deemed “off and choppy” with no flow or depth.
Audience Score and Box Office Success
While critics were largely unimpressed, the regretting you movie resonated strongly with its target audience, particularly fans of Colleen Hoover’s work. The film achieved a remarkably positive audience score of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes from over 1,000 verified ratings, showcasing a clear preference from viewers who connected with the story’s emotional journey. This stark contrast between critical and audience reception often highlights the different lenses through which films are viewed. We know that the audience wanted a good time and, by their measure, they got it.
This audience enthusiasm translated into a solid box office performance. The film, produced on a budget of $30 million, went on to gross an impressive $90 million worldwide. In the United States and Canada alone, it accumulated $49 million, with an additional $41 million from other territories. Its debut weekend saw it bring in $13.7 million, finishing second behind Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc. This financial success underscores the power of a dedicated fanbase and the enduring appeal of romantic dramas, regardless of critical consensus. For a detailed breakdown of the film’s earnings, you can view box office details.
Frequently Asked Questions about the “Regretting You” Movie
Answering the most common queries about the film.
What is the plot of the “Regretting You” movie?
The regretting you movie tells the story of Morgan Grant and her teenage daughter Clara. Their lives are irrevocably changed after a tragic car accident claims the lives of Morgan’s husband, Chris, and her sister, Jenny. The devastating event reveals a shocking betrayal: Chris and Jenny were having a secret affair. This finding forces Morgan and Clara to confront profound grief, reconcile with devastating family secrets, and steer new romantic connections, ultimately leading them on a journey to redefine love, trust, and their own identities.
Is “Regretting You” a sad movie?
The regretting you movie certainly digs into heavy and emotional themes, including death, infidelity, and the breakdown of trust, which can evoke sadness. However, it’s not solely a sad movie. It also explores powerful themes of resilience, the healing process, finding forgiveness, and the emergence of new love and hope. While you might shed a few tears, the narrative ultimately focuses on growth, self-findy, and the enduring strength of human connection, making it a compelling and ultimately hopeful watch.
How does the movie compare to the book?
The comparison between the regretting you movie and Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel is a nuanced one. While professional critics gave the film generally unfavorable reviews, many fans of the book expressed satisfaction with the adaptation. These loyal readers often praised the movie for its faithfulness to the source material’s emotional core, appreciating how the film captured the intricate relationships and heartbreaking journey of Morgan and Clara. Performances by the lead actors, particularly Mckenna Grace, were frequently highlighted as successfully embodying the spirit of the characters from the novel. So, while critics were divided, the film largely resonated with the passionate fanbase that brought the book to prominence.
Conclusion: A Divisive but Compelling Drama
The regretting you movie stands as a testament to the power of storytelling, particularly in the field of emotional dramas adapted from beloved novels. While it may have divided critics, with many finding its execution “regrettable,” its impressive box office performance and overwhelmingly positive audience score underscore its significant impact. This film is a must-watch for CoHo fans eager to see their favorite characters brought to life, and for anyone seeking an emotional rollercoaster that explores themes of grief, betrayal, forgiveness, and the enduring strength of family bonds and new love.
The journey of Morgan and Clara Grant, from devastating revelations to their individual paths of healing and self-findy, offers a compelling narrative that resonates deeply with viewers. Despite its imperfections, the regretting you movie delivers strong performances and an engaging plot that keeps audiences invested.
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