Back when I was younger, Nicholas Sparks had cornered the market of romance books, with some of the most heartbreaking novels that have ever taken the world by storm. From The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, and Dear John, Sparks’ stories were designed to make readers cry as they volley between the good and the bad of life. While Nicholas Sparks is still creating more emotionally devastating novels, there’s another name on the scene who is giving the former a run for his money: Colleen Hoover. With twenty-three novels and a handful of novellas to boot, Hoover’s works have started to explode onto the big screen, beginning with It Ends With Us and the more recent Regretting You.
Adapted from her 2019 novel of the same name, Regretting You explores missed connections and second chances, while also combating grief and loss. Love doesn’t always make sense, especially when your entire world is turned upside down, a concept that director Josh Boone (The Fault in Our Stars, The New Mutants) explores through the lens of missed connections, young love, and that feeling that even when everything is falling apart, some pieces may finally fall into place. With a talented cast of actors that can make audiences crack a smile while also shattering their hearts, regret is the farthest thing from my mind when I think about the latest film from Paramount Pictures.
Want to know more about what you can expect from Regretting You? Let’s jump headfirst into the second cinematic outing of a Colleen Hoover novel.
[Warning: Spoilers from Regretting You are below!]
The right love at the wrong moment in Regretting You
Something I have to applaud Boone for right away is that he doesn’t just tell us about a narrative point like so many romances and rom-coms do, but instead physically shows us what he wants audiences to see, such as the flashback that Regretting You opens with. Morgan (Allison Williams) is an exceptionally young adult when she finds out that she’s pregnant with her boyfriend Chris’ (Scott Eastwood) child. On the eve of some large celebration involving too much alcohol and even more fireworks, she informs their mutual friend Jonah (Dave Franco) of the news, which no one seems exactly happy about.
However, before we can see the aftermath of Jonah’s clear internal conflict — his deep love for Morgan and Morgan herself breaking the news to Chris and her sister Jenny (Willa Fitzgerald) — the film cuts to the present day, where life has somehow magically carried on. Morgan and Chris are now married, with a daughter, Clara (McKenna Grace), about the same age as her parents when they found out they were having a child.
Life seems perfect from the outside, as the couple has the dream life; Chris is a doctor, they own a beautiful house, and Clara is an exceptional person. The only thorn in Morgan’s side is that her sister Jenny has reunited with Jonah, and the two have a child of their own. Idyllic comes to mind really quickly, which seems to be a trope that Hoover consistently comes back to. Everything looks amazing on the surface, but when you look a little deeper, cracks in the foundation appear.
Finding out that your husband and sister were sleeping together is tough enough, but discovering that nugget of truth after their deaths in a horrible car accident is next level. Everything that Morgan and Jonah knew about their spouses and partners is gone, leaving both of them with massive holes in their hearts and souls that need healing. With one door closing, both individuals find themselves on paths of self-discovery, although the magnetic pull towards each other is undeniable.
Factoring in both Jonah’s newborn and Clara, who has lost both her father and aunt, there are a lot of aspects that need to be considered. Clara finds herself being the strong one in the family; however, she is dealing with her grief and anger at herself. Not knowing the full extent of why her father and aunt were together, there’s a lot of self-blame for their deaths, pushing her to make rash and sometimes foolish decisions. However, can the strong and stable Miller (Mason Thames), although labeled a bad seed, help her steer the course? Or is she destined for a similar path as her mother?
Relationships are tested to the limit as everyone finds their new way forward, and, as we know, healing isn’t always linear. Regretting You gives each character their moments to heal and grow, though the outcome for them requires you to take a chance on this film.
The exploration of grief and growth is where this Paramount Pictures film shines
While Regretting You does (understandably) emphasize the love story, it’s when it shifts its focus to the stages of healing and the impact of grief that the film becomes something more. Every character’s handling of their loss is so unique that, as a psychologist, I thrived as I teased out the differences in their responses.
Jonah’s reaction was easily the most explosive, as he realized that nothing that he once held close was true. Not to say he’s lost the most, but at times it feels like his reality is shattered without a ledge to hold onto. The only connection he thought still remained to his previous life crumbles in front of him, and he has to decide what matters most. He’s grappling with his grief but also his guilt of still being in love with his girlfriend’s sister, feelings that only increase with each passing moment, but he feels like he can’t act upon them.
Morgan herself seems to exhibit the most relief at no longer having to live a life of lies and unhappiness. There’s no denying that she had love for her husband, but from the moment you see them together in the present, there’s no light in her eyes when she looks at him. Her spirit has been crushed from years of neglect by her husband, as he carried on a second life. Her relief is understandable, as is her shame, because two realities can coexist. She’s unsure of who she is, but watching her gain a sense of independence and clarity is one of the most moving moments in Regretting You.
However, while Allison Williams and Dave Franco do exceptional work in this film, it’s actually the emotional rollercoaster of both Clara and Miller that really draws you in. Morgan and Jonah feel almost like a promise from the moment the audience lays eyes on them, but that assurance doesn’t extend to the younger characters.
Clara has the weight of the world on her shoulders, attempting to be the emotional backbone for everyone else. At first, she seems the most grown-up, with the strength and wisdom of someone much older than a teenager. However, with the unbelievable guilt she places on herself for her father’s and aunt’s deaths, she starts to lose what little control she has. It’s here that McKenna Grace’s talent really shines, as she takes us through the entire gamut of emotions.
At one moment, she’s calm, the next, erratic. She’s using people in cruel ways, but not because she’s a bad person; she’s hurt with no sense of direction. The back-and-forth that puts her and Miller through is tough to watch, in the sense that it is so deeply human. We’ve all been hurt before, taken in blame and shame that isn’t ours, and ultimately lashed out or hurt those close to us without meaning to.
I remember being a teenager in that exact spot and still feel bad about things I’ve said or done. It’s something so universal that everyone can relate to. However, what Regretting You also does is remind audiences that healing happens, sometimes in ways we least expect it. The process is nonlinear and doesn’t always make sense, but allowing oneself to have the space and grace to heal is definitely not something to regret.
Final thoughts on Regretting You
I never know what to think as I walk into a movie like Regretting You, since it can truly be a mixed bag. Some studios and creatives don’t take the time to understand not only the story, but the characters living within it. Much like It Ends With Us, this film takes the time to explore every aspect of the healing journey, both the good and the bad. Regretting You might not connect with every person who watches it, but those who find themselves currently struggling with loss or have done so in the past will find their eyes brimming with tears and their heart properly tugged at.
Regretting You is currently playing in theaters!
You might also like…
