Regretting You Movie Review – A Tender but Uneven Exploration of Love, Loss, and Forgiveness
Introduction
The 2025 film Regretting You, directed by Josh Boone and adapted from Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, is a deeply emotional drama that blends family tension, grief, and rediscovery. Starring Allison Williams as Morgan Grant and McKenna Grace as her daughter Clara, the film examines how tragedy reshapes relationships and forces both women to confront truths long buried beneath silence.
Story Overview
Morgan Grant once dreamed of an exciting life, but motherhood arrived early, leaving her ambitions behind. Her teenage daughter Clara, meanwhile, is determined not to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Their already-strained relationship implodes when a devastating accident claims the lives of Morgan’s husband Chris and her sister Jenny.
As grief consumes them, secrets begin to surface—revealing betrayals that challenge everything Morgan thought she knew about her family. While Morgan seeks to rebuild her sense of purpose, Clara navigates first love and rebellion, pushing both women to the edge of emotional collapse before they can begin to heal.
Performances That Carry the Story
Allison Williams delivers a quietly powerful performance, capturing Morgan’s inner turmoil and guilt with subtle restraint. McKenna Grace, as Clara, brings youthful intensity and authenticity to every scene, perfectly embodying the confusion and anger of a teenager caught between mourning and self-discovery.
Their chemistry feels raw and believable—often carrying the film when the pacing falters. Supporting roles from Dave Franco and Willa Fitzgerald add emotional texture, though they sometimes feel underused within the film’s heavy focus on the mother-daughter dynamic.
Strengths
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Emotional Authenticity: The heart of Regretting You lies in its sincerity. The grief and reconciliation never feel forced; the film earns its emotional payoffs.
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Relatable Themes: Parenthood, forgiveness, and the weight of unspoken regrets make this story universally resonant.
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Cinematic Restraint: The film avoids over-stylization, opting instead for grounded storytelling and intimate close-ups that let performances shine.
Weaknesses
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Uneven Pacing: At over two hours, the film occasionally drags, especially in its middle act where multiple subplots compete for focus.
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Predictable Twists: Some of the film’s emotional reveals follow familiar patterns, making key moments less surprising for viewers who expect Colleen Hoover’s signature formula.
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Tone Imbalance: The mix of teen romance and adult grief occasionally feels mismatched, creating abrupt tonal shifts that disrupt immersion.
Direction and Cinematography
Josh Boone’s direction leans on quiet drama rather than spectacle. Long silences, warm lighting, and intimate framing enhance the film’s emotional realism. The cinematography mirrors the film’s themes—sunlight through curtains, family photos half in shadow, and the small-town setting all reinforcing the idea of love obscured by loss.
Verdict
Regretting You is far from perfect, but it’s sincere and heartfelt. The movie succeeds where it matters most—in capturing the fragility of family bonds and the messy process of forgiveness. While uneven pacing and familiar tropes hold it back from greatness, it remains a moving portrayal of how love survives tragedy.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 out of 5)
Conclusion
For fans of emotional dramas and Colleen Hoover’s storytelling, Regretting You offers a poignant experience that lingers after the credits. It’s a story about regret, resilience, and the courage it takes to love again—even when everything has fallen apart.
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