'Regretting You' Review: A Less-than-perfect Storm of Romance and Drama
- Shauna Bushe
- 23 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Shauna Bushe - October 30, 2025
Director Josh Boone (The Fault in our Stars) navigates a turbulent family tragedy, that begins with a car crash and rapidly propels its characters into an unexpected storm of simmering resentment, introduces new-found romance and forces them to confront concealed secrets that could change everything.
What is 'Regretting You' about?
At its core Regretting You is a film about a fractured mother daughter bond as they confront a decade of buried betrayal. When a devasting car crash tears the Grant family apart, they are challenged by an explosive emotional reckoning, shattering everything protagonist Morgan Grant thought she knew about her marriage and sister – whilst trying to not lose themselves in the process, Morgan and Clara try to find their footing, in a world that has suddenly become unrecognizable.
Regretting You begins with a crucial 17-year flashback, quickly establishing the core conflict: Morgan (Allison Williams) is married to the alluring, party animal Chris (Scott Eastwood), and her sister Jenny (Willa Fitzgerald) is with the shy, lovable Jonah (Dave Franco) – the introductory scenes make it painstakingly obvious that the quiet Morgan and bookish Jonah are soulmates who made the wrong choice in high school. But Morgans teenage pregnancy with Chris locks her into a life that was never meant to be. This foundation is heavily significant as the entire narrative revolves around their two-tiered relationship, however the true narrative shock comes after the sudden death of Jenny and Chris in a car accident – this double tragedy immediately leads to the discovery of their long-term affair. The aftermath poisons Morgans grief, transforming her affection into bitterness. Jonas’ life is suddenly thrown into question, specifically the true paternity of his new-born son. And Clara’s perfect memory of her Father and Aunt is shattered, turning rebellious she embarks on a messy relationship with bad boy Miller (Mason Thames).
All twists, little substance?
Regretting You has a charming rhythm, that propels its incredibly complex characters through powerful themes, lifts the atmosphere with witty light-hearted humour and can be a genuinely relatable and moving watch. Unfortunately, the 2-hour runtime suffers from awkward scene-switching which ultimately is its biggest flaw. The life altering grief is quickly overshadowed by the conveniently ensuing romances, making the betrayal feel less like a wound and more a necessary plot tool.
For instance, Morgan and Jonah are effectively pushed together by a demanding script. Their 17-year show burn lacks the chemistry needed for their connection to feel wanted. Individually, Williams gives a fantastic performance as a widowed, overprotective mother. She’s angry, confused but evolves through her unexpected losses into the person she was always meant to be. Making art again, rebuilding her life and reconstructs her relationship with Clara. Franco as Jonah, he plays his role far too mildly for someone overcoming a monumental loss, his emotional detachment is concerning and craves a lot more gravitas.
Providing the film’s most authentic anchor is Clara and Miller, the stand-out performances. Grace as Clara perfectly balances her teenage rebellion fuelled by grief and guilt. The young relationship she develops with Miller whilst heavily cliched, works due to the charming chemistry that comes so easily to them.
Will you regret, 'Regretting You'?
Regretting You offers a perfectly serviceable, tear-soaked night at the movies and successfully adapts the BookTok formula. While the young stars add a much-needed layer of sincerity, the film ultimately buckles under the weight of its own melodrama. For a story built on two decades of missed connection and monumental betrayal, the film shows surprisingly little curiosity about the messy emotional aftermath, choosing instead to focus on the happily ever after.
'Regretting You' is out now in cinemas
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