“I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.”
Above is a line from the book Regretting You by Colleen Hoover, released December 10, 2019. Regretting You is a novel navigating the relationships of high schooler Clara Grant and her mother, Morgan Grant, emphasizing the importance of taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone. The movie adaptation of Regretting You finally hit theatres on October 24, 2025. The film stars Mason Thames, famous for his performance in The Black Phone, and McKenna Grace, known for her role as Phoebe Spengler in Ghostbusters: Afterlife. These big names made the movie highly anticipated and sold out multiple theatres after its release. As someone who read the book after watching the movie adaptation, the film seems to be slightly overhyped by its audience.
Regretting You is a tear-jerker with a heartwarming ending, and I would say this story is on the higher end of Colleen Hoover’s publications. Yet, as the movie credits rolled out in the dimly lit theatre, the movie adaptation fell disappointingly flat compared to the engaging novel.
The script-writing was sub-par, causing physical cringing reactions from some in the theatre. The film is directly aligned with the book, some of the dialogue in the movie being exact quotes from the story. This replication made the movie feel oddly shallow and unambitious, seemingly lacking any real creative spark; the atmosphere of the theatre grew heavy with uncomfortable tension, and it seemed as though these quotes were awkwardly wedged in. The clunky, cringe-worthy writing caused viewers to stifle occasional laughter even during moments meant to be heart-wrenching.
Alongside the copycat writing that stuffed up the film, the movie also stumbled in attention to detail, leaving a lingering feeling of disappointment in the air. It started subtly, almost going unnoticed. Where the book describes smeltering Texas heat, the scenery was abruptly replaced with the pine-tree-lined roads of North Carolina. More glaringly, the movie glossed over or even removed crucial plot elements, so the story lost some clarity that was displayed in the book. The director may have intended this would entice viewers and leave them wanting more, but reality was different; the audience sat with their eyebrows raised, feeling confused and unsatisfied. There wasn’t just one of these slip-ups, but multiple. The plot seemed to have jarring gaps that were smoothly explained in the book, even though they supposedly follow the same narrative arc.
Despite these hiccups, the actors radiated brilliance with every frame, drawing out the best from even the patchiest parts of the script. The movie was cast so perfectly that each performer became their character, delivering a beautifully authentic performance. McKenna Grace and Mason Thames stole the spotlight from the film. Grace, stepping into the shoes of Clara Grant, captured the character’s free-spirited nature and powerful independence with such raw emotion that a hush swept over the audience; there were moments you could hear the soft sniffles and see glistening eyes all around as her scenes landed heavy on the viewers’ hearts. Thames, cast as the main love interest, Miller Adams, offered a performance layered beyond dialogue. He demonstrated emotion through subtle glances and his shifted expressions, giving meaning to every furrow of his brow and flicker of his gaze. Even when the spotlight drifted elsewhere, his eyes flickered with unspoken words, quietly telling a story that stuck with viewers long after the scene ended. These are just two standout examples, but truly, every actor poured themselves into their role, salvaging the film from its awkward script.
All things considered, this movie had untapped potential to become something truly memorable. Yet, due to a combination of poor writing and plot holes big enough to trip over, it fell short of the novel. However, despite the narrative stumbles, the deeply felt, moving performances of the actors gave warmth to the movie, stirring emotions and leaving an imprint on the heart. A bit better than mediocre, I’d give this movie 3.8/5 stars. If what you crave is a cute, mindless tear-jerker, the type of film best watched under a blanket with tissues nearby, this movie fits the bill perfectly. On the other hand, if you’re seeking a deep dive into the intricacies of the Grant family’s story, your best bet might be the book waiting on the shelf at your local library, where each chapter promises an emotion-filled journey.
