The film feels flat despite its strong source material

Reviewer: Funeka Bambalele

Film Title: Regretting You
Director: Josh Boone
Release Date:  31 October 2025

Besides the low budget appearance, it appears that director Josh Boone fell short in translating the emotional depth and complexity of Regretting You onto the screen, resulting in a film that feels flat despite its strong source material.

With its compelling premise and moments of genuine emotion, the film struggles with pacing and tone. The story frequently shifts between heavy grief and light romantic subplots, creating a disjointed reading experience. While its alternating perspectives aim to deepen the emotional layers, the result sometimes feels uneven and overly melodramatic.

Regretting You is an adaptation of which is an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s popular novel of the same title. The film which hits the big screens on Friday, delves on complexities between a mother and her teenage daughter.

The narrative unfolds with Morgan (played by Alison Williams) and Clara (played by Mckenna Grace) navigating the aftermath of a devastating loss. As they grieve, a shocking revelation that her husband of 17 years has been cheating with her own sister sends ripples through their already fragile bond. The two cheaters end up dying in an accident together.  The film seeks to explore themes of forgiveness, resilience, and the struggle to understand those we love most when trust is broken.

I agree with many critics that the film drags in its first half, taking far too long to get into the heart of the story. There are flashes of genuine connection between the leads, yet the film rarely sustains the nuanced chemistry needed for a truly affecting family drama.

Visually, Regretting You employs a muted palette, reflecting the sombre tone of the story. The direction, however, struggles to balance the emotional highs and lows, often opting for heightened scenes that lack subtlety. The pacing is uneven, with some sequences dragging while others rush through pivotal revelations, leaving viewers emotionally detached at crucial moments.

At its core, the film is about confronting painful truths and the difficult path to reconciliation. It touches on the importance of communication, empathy, and second chances within families. Yet, despite its thematic ambitions, the narrative feels weighed down by predictable plot twists and a reluctance to fully explore the darker, more complex emotions at play.

The chemistry between the characters—particularly between the leads—feels underdeveloped, and some of the dialogue leans too heavily on cliché.

One of the most captivating aspects of any film set in a visually rich environment is its ability to transport viewers into a world filled with breathtaking scenery and evocative landscapes. Unfortunately, this film falls short in that regard. Despite the potential to showcase the unique beauty of the area, the cinematography does little to capture the imagination or immerse the audience in its setting.

Rather than providing a visual journey through diverse and striking locations, the film appears to have been shot predominantly in a single, uninspiring spot. This lack of variety in backdrops not only makes the scenery feel monotonous but also diminishes the sense of place that could have elevated the story. The landscapes, which could have served as a character, remain largely unexplored and unremarkable throughout the film.

Despite everything else working against the film, actors Mason Thames, McKenna Grace, Willa Fitzgerald and Alison Williams deliver strong performances, bringing authenticity and emotion to their roles. Their performances are a true highlight in an otherwise uneven adaptation.

Ultimately, Regretting You falls into the trap of being formulaic and predictable, with awkward writing and uneven editing that strip the story of its emotional impact.