Trailer
Review
In 'Regretting You,' director Josh Boone crafts a poignant exploration of familial bonds shattered and rebuilt, proving that the most profound love stories aren't always romantic. The film centers on Morgan Grant (Allison Williams) and her teenage daughter Clara (Mckenna Grace), whose already strained relationship is upended by a tragic accident that unearths a devastating betrayal. What follows is a dual narrative of grief and discovery, as both women navigate their new, fractured reality. Boone's direction is sensitive yet unflinching, allowing the emotional weight of each scene to land with authenticity. The film avoids melodrama by grounding its conflicts in relatable human failings—miscommunication, unspoken expectations, and the painful process of seeing a parent or child as a complete, flawed person. Cinematographer Ben Richardson captures the Pacific Northwest setting with a muted, almost elegiac palette that mirrors the characters' internal landscapes, while the score subtly underscores moments of tension and tender connection without overwhelming them.
Pros
- ✓Mckenna Grace and Allison Williams deliver powerhouse, nuanced performances that make the mother-daughter conflict heartbreakingly real. Their scenes together are masterclasses in subtle emotional exchange.
- ✓The screenplay deftly balances dual perspectives, giving equal weight to Morgan's disillusionment and Clara's coming-of-age turmoil without villainizing either character.
- ✓Josh Boone's direction excels in quiet, character-driven moments, particularly in a standout scene where a simple kitchen confrontation reveals years of accumulated resentment with devastating clarity.
- ✓The film's thematic depth in exploring how grief can simultaneously isolate and connect people, forcing a redefinition of love beyond traditional family structures.
Cons
- ✗The pacing lags in the second act, with some subplots involving Clara's friend group feeling underdeveloped and distracting from the core emotional engine.
- ✗A key revelation about the past betrayal relies on a narrative convenience that strains credibility, slightly undermining the otherwise grounded storytelling.
- ✗Dave Franco's character, while performed well, is given limited screen time, making his emotional arc feel somewhat truncated compared to the central duo.
'Regretting You' is a triumph of emotional storytelling that resonates long after the credits roll. It earns its 8.5 rating not through grand spectacle, but through the quiet, cumulative power of its performances and its honest look at the messy, nonlinear path to forgiveness. While its pacing is imperfect, the film's core—the exquisitely rendered relationship between Grace and Williams—is so compelling that its flaws feel minor. This is a movie for anyone who appreciates character-driven drama that prioritizes psychological truth over easy resolutions. It doesn't offer simple answers about love or family, but it provides a profoundly moving portrait of how two people can rebuild from ruins, not into what they were, but into something new and stronger. You'll leave reflecting on your own relationships, which is the highest compliment for a film in this genre.
🎯 Who Should Watch
Viewers who enjoy intimate family dramas, mother-daughter stories, and character-driven narratives about grief and resilience. Fans of films like 'Little Women' (2019) or 'The Glass Castle' will find similar thematic depth.
⭐ Standout Elements
The exceptional, layered performances by Mckenna Grace and Allison Williams, whose chemistry transforms a familiar premise into a uniquely raw and authentic exploration of familial love. The film's refusal to provide tidy, sentimental resolutions, instead opting for a more complex and satisfying emotional honesty.
🎬 Overall Impact
A must-watch film that delivers on both entertainment and emotional depth.
📽️ This film represents exceptional filmmaking that deserves your attention.
