We’re not far from being able to christen Colleen Hoover and the new Nicholas Sparks. Like Sparks, Texas-born Hoover rose to prominence as a novelist with a very passionate fan base. And like Sparks, Hoover’s novels became a favorite in Hollywood. It is still far from Sparks’ eleven film adaptations. But Hoover is quickly catching up with a film last year, one this year and two scheduled for release in 2026.
“Regretting You” is an adaptation of Hoover’s 2019 novel of the same name. It comes from director Josh Boone who previously directed the solid romantic drama “The Fault in Our Stars” and the disastrous dead-on-arrival superhero film “The New Mutants.” Here, he works with screenwriter Susan McMartin to try to unpack Hoover’s soapy history. Of course, I haven’t read the book. But it’s hard to imagine it being as melodramatically messy as its big-screen offspring.
It doesn’t help that the film is built on an astonishing premise that even the most competent actors can’t save. They certainly put in the effort, each fully committing to the material no matter how schmaltzy or even weird it gets. But McMartin’s scenario doesn’t make their job any easier. The story often seems at odds with itself as it drags its characters through scenes of devastating heartbreak and cheesy teenage romance. It’s a tsunami of contrasting tones with flowing tears and out-of-tune humor often occupying the same space.
Sisters Morgan (Allison Williams) and Jenny (Willa Fitzgerald) are polar opposites. Ever since they were kids, Morgan was the steady, reliable one while Jenny wanted to have a good time. Their lives took a turn in high school following Morgan’s unexpected pregnancy with her boyfriend Chris (Scott Eastwood). The two eventually get married while Jenny splits from her geeky boyfriend Jonah (Dave Franco) who actually had a crush on Morgan but left town once she and Chris got married. But now Jonah is back, just in time to have a baby with Jenny and get engaged. Did you get all that?
While Jonah and Jenny have their newborn, Morgan and Chris have 17-year-old Clara (Mckenna Grace), a bright and sweet high school student who has big plans to attend drama school. Even more, Clara has a weakness for “the coolest guy in school“, Miller Adams (Mason Thames). Miller is a good kid who enjoys movies while living with and caring for his sick grandfather (Clancy Brown). Unsurprisingly, the two begin to connect in a way that utilizes most teen romance tropes.
But films like this thrive on tragedy and it’s no different in “Regretting You.” Morgan and Jonah learn the shocking news that Jenny and Chris were killed in a car accident while secretly dating. Naturally, this raises troubling questions while leading to predictable consequences. As Morgan and Jonah learn heartbreaking truths, they make a pact not to tell Claire the truth, knowing it would devastate her. But that seems like an impossible secret to hide from a 17-year-old, especially anyone who doesn’t live off the grid. Nevertheless…
From there, the story becomes a whirlwind of emotional breakdowns, heated arguments, and cutesy puppy love. The actors navigate the tonal chaos as best they can, but their characters are the biggest casualties. They’re also hurt by some confusing creative choices. Take the decision to digitally de-age Morgan, Jenny, Chris and Jonah in a brief prologue and goofy flashback scene. Not only is the airbrushed effect noticeable, it’s comically distracting.
As for the characters themselves, they are trapped in a film where adults often behave like children and children like adults. But Clara (who is the centerpiece of the story) also has her moments of petulance. She also makes bizarrely rash decisions that do her no favors. Yet Grace overcomes much of this problem with a rather charming performance that deserves our empathy. Williams finds good rhythms in the slightly frustrating Morgan. Fitzgerald is most in tune with her character. Eastwood is stuck in one type of character while a bespectacled Dave Franco seems miscast and struggles to find chemistry with Williams.
Somewhere in “Regretting You” is a thoughtful story of a mother and daughter trying to overcome their grief. The film is full of sincerity and good intentions. But the erratic storyline, uneven characters, and overall shaky execution keep the story perpetually unbalanced. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work as a YA tearjerker or cheesy romance. “Regretting You” is in theaters now.
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