Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel “Regretting You” hit the big screen on Oct. 24, 2025, bringing its story of grief, betrayal and love to theaters starring McKenna Grace, Mason Thames, Dave Franco and Allison Williams. The movie follows Clara Grant, whose dad and aunt die in a car crash that exposes their long-standing affair. The story is narrated from the perspectives of both Grant and her mother, Morgan, as they grapple with the shocking truth and attempt to rebuild their lives.
Hoover also inspired last year’s movie “It Ends With Us,” starring Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni and Jenny Slate. The parallels between the two adaptations were immediate, and like Hoover’s earlier movie, “Regretting You” has brought a mix of strong reactions. Some felt the film captured the heartbreak of the book, while others thought it missed the emotional weight they expected.
Grant [Clara] is played by Grace, who began acting at the age of 5 with her first role in the Disney XD series “Crash & Bernstein.” That same year, her family relocated to Los Angeles so she could pursue acting full-time. Grace has built a long résumé with roles in “Gifted,” “Annabelle Comes Home,” “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” and several other projects. Many fans appreciate how Grace brings depth to emotional roles, and “Regretting You” gave her another chance to show that range.
Olivia Nalley, a freshman at Plant, praised Grace’s performance. “I think McKenna Grace was the perfect actress for this movie,” Nalley said. “I read the book, and I feel like she did a great job at being Clara Grant. She showed the right mix of anger and sadness without overdoing it.” Nalley said she felt the movie stayed true to the emotions she imagined when reading the novel.
Grant [Morgan] is played by Williams, who portrays a mother trying to be strong after being betrayed by two people she loved the most. Not everyone felt related to Williams’ performance, though. Plant freshman Vivienne Harris had a different view of Williams in the movie. “She was not that good and didn’t really show much sadness,” Harris said. “When the movie had flashbacks, she looked the same, and that was poorly done. I did not enjoy her or her character.” Some viewers sided with Harris, saying they felt the movie should have developed Morgan’s character more or provided more scenes that captured her sadness.
Thames plays the role of Miller Adams, Grant’s [Clara] love interest. Thames’ first significant role came at the age of 13, starring as Finney, a teenager kidnapped by a serial killer known as the Grabber in the 2021 horror film “The Black Phone.” Since then, Thames has starred in “How to Train Your Dragon,” “The Black Phone 2,” released Oct. 17, and now “Regretting You.” Thames has received much praise for bringing sincerity and charm to his roles, with many fans feeling this movie allowed him to show a softer, more emotional side compared to his earlier work.
Sydney Peper, a freshman at Plant, appreciated Thames’ performance. “I think he did an excellent job at acting his role,” Peper said. “He and McKenna Grace had terrific chemistry, and that’s one of the reasons why the movie is so good. I loved the ending because it was a twist. I didn’t think Miller Adams liked her for a while, but he did, and that made it very cute.” Peper said the dynamic between Adams and Grant added warmth to a story that could otherwise feel heavy.
Overall, many viewers found enjoyment in “Regretting You” and are hoping for a second movie with the same cast. Between the emotional storyline, the mix of reactions to the performances, and the strong fan base Hoover already has, the film has sparked plenty of conversations. Whether people loved it or had critiques, most agreed it was a story that made them feel something.
Regretting You Ratings by caporcelli