Regretting You (2025) Movie Review: A Mature 18+ Drama About Love

IMDB Rating :
4/5

Regretting You (2025) dives into the emotional complexities of love, family, and the choices that shape our lives. The story follows the journey of its protagonists as they navigate heartbreak, self-discovery, and the consequences of past decisions. With relatable characters and gripping drama, the film captures the highs and lows of human relationships, making it a compelling watch for audiences of all ages. The movie also explores themes of forgiveness, personal growth, and the enduring impact of secrets kept too long. Combined with strong performances from the cast and a storyline that keeps viewers emotionally invested, Regretting You promises an engaging cinematic experience that resonates long after the credits roll.

Overview

Regretting You (2025) centers on the intricate dynamics between a mother and daughter, exploring how love, trust, and misunderstandings shape their relationship. Set against the backdrop of everyday life, the film highlights the emotional challenges of growing up and navigating adult responsibilities while maintaining family bonds. Its storyline focuses on connection, conflict, and the moments that define personal growth. The movie also delves into themes of reconciliation, self-discovery, and the ripple effects of secrets within a family. Through its relatable characters and heartfelt narrative, Regretting You presents an engaging and thought-provoking portrayal of relationships, making it a story that resonates with both young adults and mature audiences alike.

Cast and Crew

Director: Josh Boone

Regretting You is directed by Josh Boone, known for his work on emotionally-driven films that balance drama with heartfelt storytelling. Boone brings a sensitive yet engaging approach to the film, carefully exploring the dynamics between family members and the challenges they face. His direction emphasizes character development and the emotional stakes of each decision. Boone’s ability to create a visually appealing and emotionally resonant narrative ensures that the audience stays connected to the story throughout. The film reflects his signature style of blending intimate moments with universal themes of love, loss, and personal growth.

Lead Actor: Dave Franco

The lead role of Jonah Sullivan is played by Dave Franco, who delivers a nuanced performance that adds depth to the story. His portrayal captures the emotional vulnerability and charm of a character navigating complex relationships and personal challenges. Franco’s performance balances lighthearted moments with more serious, reflective scenes, making his character relatable and engaging. His chemistry with the other cast members, particularly the lead actresses, helps elevate the emotional intensity of the film. Overall, Franco brings authenticity and warmth to the role, making him a memorable part of the movie.

Lead Actress: Allison Williams

Allison Williams stars as Morgan Grant, the central figure around whom much of the emotional story revolves. Williams portrays a mother balancing love, responsibility, and the pain of past decisions with remarkable depth and sincerity. Alongside her, Mckenna Grace plays Clara Grant, the daughter whose experiences and emotions form the emotional core of the narrative. The mother-daughter performances are both heartfelt and compelling, showing a believable bond filled with tension, affection, and growth. Their on-screen presence drives the emotional narrative and resonates strongly with audiences, especially young viewers navigating family relationships.

Supporting Cast

The supporting cast includes talented actors such as Mason Thames as Miller Adams, Scott Eastwood as Chris Grant, Willa Fitzgerald as Jenny Davidson, and Clancy Brown as Hank “Gramps” Adams. Each supporting character adds richness to the storyline, providing conflict, guidance, and moments of levity. Their performances complement the leads and help flesh out the world in which the story unfolds. The supporting actors also bring emotional resonance, ensuring that even minor characters feel fully realized and impactful. This ensemble cast contributes to the film’s layered portrayal of family dynamics and personal growth.

Music Composer: Nathaniel Walcott

The film’s music is composed by Nathaniel Walcott, whose score enhances the emotional depth and storytelling. Walcott’s compositions range from subtle, introspective melodies to more dramatic, tension-filled sequences, perfectly aligning with the highs and lows of the narrative. The soundtrack accentuates the emotional moments without overpowering the story, helping audiences connect with the characters’ experiences. His music adds an additional layer of atmosphere, making the film’s emotional beats more poignant and memorable. The score is integral in shaping the mood and enhancing the cinematic experience.

Production Company

Regretting You is produced by Constantin Film, Harbinger Pictures, Frayed Pages Entertainment, and Heartbones Entertainment, combining expertise in storytelling and high-quality production. These companies have a track record of delivering compelling dramas and emotionally engaging films. Their collaboration ensures strong production values, from cinematography to set design and post-production. The production teams focus on creating an authentic, immersive world that supports the film’s narrative and character arcs. Their efforts contribute to a polished, professional final product that resonates with audiences and enhances the story’s emotional impact.

Run Time: 1 Hour 56 Minutes

The film has a total running time of 1 hour and 56 minutes, offering a well-paced storytelling experience that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. The duration allows sufficient time for character development, plot progression, and emotional build-up without feeling rushed. Each scene is carefully crafted to contribute to the overarching narrative, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective sequences. This runtime ensures that the story unfolds naturally, giving audiences time to connect deeply with the characters and their journeys. Overall, it provides an immersive viewing experience that feels complete and satisfying.

Budget and Box Office

The movie was made on a budget of about $30 million. At the box office, Regretting You grossed around $87.5–88 million worldwide — roughly $47.8 million domestic (U.S. + Canada) and  $39.7 million internationally.

Story

Regretting You revolves around the intricate and evolving relationship between a mother, Morgan Grant, and her teenage daughter, Clara Grant. At its core, the story examines how love, misunderstanding, and personal choices shape family dynamics. Clara, navigating the turbulence of adolescence, struggles with her own identity while trying to understand her mother’s past decisions. Meanwhile, Morgan faces the challenge of balancing her personal growth with the responsibilities of parenthood, making difficult decisions that will inevitably impact her daughter’s future. The narrative carefully captures the subtle tension between dependence and independence that defines many parent-child relationships.

The plot is driven by emotional revelations and life-altering events that force both mother and daughter to confront long-buried feelings. Secrets that have been kept for years gradually surface, creating moments of conflict and self-reflection. These unfolding events allow the audience to witness the complexity of human relationships, highlighting both the fragility and resilience of family bonds. The story’s structure alternates between tender, intimate moments and more dramatic sequences, emphasizing the highs and lows of navigating love, trust, and forgiveness within a family.

Alongside the central mother-daughter relationship, the story introduces a network of supporting characters whose interactions further enrich the narrative. Friends, romantic interests, and extended family members all play roles that challenge and support the protagonists in different ways. These relationships serve to highlight contrasting approaches to love, responsibility, and reconciliation, adding depth to the story’s exploration of human emotions. Each character’s arc intertwines seamlessly with the main plot, ensuring that their presence feels meaningful and integral rather than incidental.

Ultimately, Regretting You is a story about growth, understanding, and the choices that define who we are. It emphasizes the importance of communication, empathy, and the courage to face one’s past in order to build a stronger future. The narrative encourages reflection on personal relationships and the impact of actions taken or avoided, offering viewers a rich, immersive emotional experience. Through its heartfelt exploration of family dynamics and self-discovery, the story resonates with audiences across generations, making it both relatable and thought-provoking.

Review

Regretting You stands out as a deeply emotional drama that captures the complexities of family relationships, particularly the mother-daughter dynamic. The narrative is both heartfelt and relatable, showing how love, misunderstanding, and past decisions intertwine to shape personal growth. The story is structured in a way that gradually reveals hidden layers of each character, keeping the audience emotionally invested throughout the film. The pacing is steady, allowing for a balance between quiet, introspective moments and more intense, dramatic sequences.

The performances by the lead actors are a highlight of the film. Allison Williams delivers a nuanced portrayal of Morgan Grant, capturing the struggles and resilience of a mother trying to protect her family while reconciling with her own past. Mckenna Grace shines as Clara Grant, bringing authenticity and vulnerability to a teenage character dealing with identity, independence, and emotional upheaval. Their chemistry is natural and adds a genuine depth to the story, making their shared moments feel poignant and compelling.

Dave Franco, as Jonah Sullivan, provides a grounded performance that complements the leads. His character adds warmth and subtle humor, balancing the emotional intensity of the film. The supporting cast, including Scott Eastwood, Willa Fitzgerald, and Clancy Brown, each contribute meaningfully to the narrative, offering both tension and emotional resonance. These performances enrich the overall storytelling, ensuring that even secondary characters leave a lasting impact.

The film’s technical aspects also deserve recognition. Josh Boone’s direction creates an intimate atmosphere, effectively using visual storytelling to highlight emotional beats without overwhelming the audience. Nathaniel Walcott’s musical score enhances the mood, from tender, reflective sequences to more dramatic moments, perfectly complementing the narrative. Cinematography and set design work in tandem to create a realistic and immersive environment that feels authentic to the characters’ experiences.

The screenplay of Regretting You carefully balances emotional depth with moments of relatability and introspection. Dialogue feels genuine and well-paced, allowing characters to express their feelings naturally without seeming forced. Themes of forgiveness, self-discovery, and the consequences of past actions are explored with subtlety, avoiding melodrama while still delivering emotional impact. The story manages to engage the audience on multiple levels, providing both heartfelt moments and thoughtful reflections on family and personal growth.

Behind the Heart: The Emotional Core of Regretting You

Regretting You is more than just a family drama—it’s a deep exploration of the emotional ties that bind us. The film delves into the push and pull between personal growth and familial obligations, highlighting how even small choices can have lasting consequences. Audiences are drawn into the lived experiences of the characters, feeling their joys, regrets, and moments of self-discovery. The story emphasizes that understanding and empathy are often the keys to overcoming misunderstandings and bridging emotional gaps between loved ones.

The movie also stands out for its focus on authentic relationships and realistic portrayals of conflict and reconciliation. By weaving together the perspectives of both mother and daughter, the narrative provides a multi-dimensional look at family life, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own connections. With strong performances, heartfelt storytelling, and a relatable premise, Regretting You resonates emotionally and leaves a lasting impression. It’s a film that not only entertains but also prompts thought about love, forgiveness, and personal growth.

Conclusion

Regretting You is a heartfelt exploration of family, love, and the choices that shape our lives. Through its compelling storytelling and emotional depth, the film captures the struggles and triumphs of its characters in a way that feels genuine and relatable. The nuanced performances, particularly by Allison Williams and Mckenna Grace, bring authenticity to the narrative, making the mother-daughter relationship the emotional backbone of the movie.

With strong direction, an evocative musical score, and a well-crafted screenplay, the film succeeds in balancing drama with moments of tenderness and reflection. Regretting You not only entertains but also encourages viewers to reflect on their own relationships and the importance of communication, forgiveness, and understanding. It is a cinematic experience that resonates long after the credits roll, leaving a meaningful impression on its audience.


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