All over social media, people have been raving about the newest romance movie to come out in theaters, “Regretting You.” The movie is adapted from Colleen Hoover’s best-selling romance novel of the same name and follows Clara (McKenna Grace) as she copes with the grief of losing her father, exploring the strained dynamics of her family and the formation of new relationships.
The film highlights two young Hollywood actors rising to fame, McKenna Grace and Mason Thames. Grace has starred in over eight films and has been featured in more than 30 films and TV shows. Thames has starred in three major films in the past year alone. The two stars have been all over the internet in promotional videos, interviews, and TikToks portraying them as a couple.
With its promotion, the film seems like a simple romance between the two love interests, Miller and Clara, but the story is about much more than that. It is a must-watch for viewers who love thrilling, passionate romances and especially intense drama. But for those who enjoy more cohesive or philosophically deep films, this movie may fall short.
The movie takes audiences’ emotions for a spin, with plot twist after plot twist throughout the story. Each twist is filled with emotional moments and conveys depth in each character. The family’s secrets are revealed through many layers, and the unfolding drama keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Throughout the theater, nearly everyone was gasping, crying, laughing, and internally screaming.
Although, as with many other movies based on novels, several scenes seem rushed and thrown together hastily. The major plot points are well thought out, but the execution leaves audiences with quite a few questions. The order of scenes is sometimes confusing, and many minor plot points or quirky moments are left out to fit into the two-hour time frame. Each scene deals with deeper themes, but the film does not have enough time to explore them fully.
Miller and Clara have incredible chemistry, the actors being close friends in real life. The pair truly carry the romantic aspect of the film, but the story skips over some of the smaller, simpler moments that showcase the romance. The film is less of a deep emotional piece than a wild drama filled with revenge and suppressed emotions that need resolving, but it remains perfect for those who enjoy movies that are bad in a good way.
In the end, watching the movie leaves audiences giddy and walking out of the theater giggling at the craziness of this whirlwind of a story.