If you’re an avid reader, there’s no doubt you’ve had what I consider a rite of passage for anyone with a Goodreads account—a Colleen Hoover phase. Her vast library of books are known for their ability to draw you in quickly, keep you glued to every page, and spit you out on the other side in need of a few tissues. They’re also known as gateway books that can turn even the biggest reading skeptics into true bibliophiles. I’ve finished many a CoHo book in one sitting, one of my favorites being Regretting You. I fangirled when I found out Paramount Pictures was turning the book into a movie. Fangirled even harder when I saw the cast announcement. And fangirled to an extent I didn’t know possible when I got the opportunity to visit the Regretting You set.
Last April, I got to peek behind the Hollywood curtain and spend a day on the Regretting You set—and let me tell you, it made me more excited for the film than ever. Even with only a day spent with the cast and crew, and a quick conversation with a few of its stars, their dedication to getting the adaptation right was crystal clear. Based on the reaction to the Regretting You trailer, there are a lot of fans to please. Keep reading to head behind the scenes on set with me.
What is Regretting You about?
Regretting You follows the mother-daughter relationship between Morgan (Allison Williams) and Clara (Mckenna Grace). After a tragic accident kills Clara’s father and aunt, devastating secrets are uncovered, and Morgan is left to deal with her own grief and raise a daughter alone. As Morgan and Clara’s relationship becomes more strained, Clara finds comfort in a newfound friendship with brooding bad boy Miller (Mason Thames). Together, Morgan and Clara try to rebuild their lives after their tragic loss without losing themselves or each other in the process.
Going behind the scenes on the Regretting You set
I had no idea what to expect as we loaded into a sprinter van and headed outside Atlanta, Georgia, to Duluth High School, where the cast was filming for the day. I knew from the book that many pivotal scenes took place at the high school, so I was thrilled when I learned we were “going back to high school” for the day (a sentence I never thought I’d say). The school was closed for Spring Break, so time was of the essence. There was only one week to capture all the necessary scenes. Yet with the positive energy on set, the laughter between takes, and the warm welcome extended to us visitors, you’d never guess they were on a time crunch.
When we arrived, we were immediately escorted to a video village station where chairs and headsets were set up. Here, we watched Mckenna Grace and Sam Morelos (who plays Clara’s best friend, Lexie) film a scene in the parking lot. I was instantly impressed by the chemistry between Mckenna and Sam, both while filming and between takes.
The cast chemistry is just as real off-screen
It wasn’t just that one scene with Mckenna and Sam. The cast chemistry was evident every moment we were on set. When we moved into the high school, we watched a scene where Miller, Clara, and Lexie are chatting (or, more accurately, Lexie is roasting Miller and Clara for how obsessed they are with each other), it was hard to tell when the director yelled “cut.” Whether it was Mckenna and Sam’s best-friend banter or Mckenna and Mason’s charming depiction of young love, their dynamic felt effortless whether the cameras were rolling or not. And I wasn’t the only one who noticed it. Sam told me that when they first met Mckenna and Mason, they assumed they’d known each other for years. “I thought they knew each other for years when I first met them,” they said. “Genuinely.” Mason also felt that natural chemistry on set when filming scenes with Mckenna. “She’s so raw and natural, and you’re only as good as your scene partner,” Mason said. He also mentioned that even when acting in romantic scenes, which can be a little uncomfortable at times, feel like a breeze with Mckenna. “I mean, scenes like these, which with any other actor can be awkward, can be a little weird. It’s really easy.”
Fans of the book will be thrilled to know their beloved characters are in the right hands. Whether you’ve been waiting with bated breath for the Regretting You movie or just discovered it after watching the trailer, you’ll fall in love with this cast’s portrayal when you see them on screen.
The cast and crew are committed to getting the adaptation right
My confidence in the film goes far beyond just actor chemistry. It’s the way every single person I encountered on set was committed to doing the adaptation justice. Director Josh Boone is no stranger to the book-to-movie process. I’m still emotionally recovering from his adaptation of The Fault in Our Stars. So, it’s safe to assume his take on Regretting You will be equally memorable. Mckenna, Mason, and Sam all praised him, saying he creates such a comfortable environment on set. Boone encourages them to improvise and add their own touches to the dialogue so that they can really tap into their characters.
These characters are teenagers played by actual teenagers—rather than the Hollywood classic of casting someone in their mid-20s, shaving their face, and calling them 16. This makes the story feel even more real and authentic. When dealing with such deep topics, especially ones centered on Clara’s coming-of-age journey, having real teenagers who can actually understand their characters is crucial. While most people haven’t experienced the extreme tragedies in Regretting You, everyone has been 16 and felt completely misunderstood. From what I saw on set, we’ll all leave the theater making plans for a re-watch because the film is that relatable.
Everyone on set came across as extremely dedicated. But perhaps none more so than Mckenna, whose character, Clara, faces the most intense emotional journey. While we talked about her role, she pulled out her well-loved, annotated, dog-eared copy of Regretting You. She said she always keeps it on hand, just in case she needs to reference the source material. (Which, may I add, is the most Clara move ever.) Not that she needs it; she practically has every line memorized. Her dedication to portraying Clara authentically is impressive for anyone, but especially for someone her age. Though with her résumé as a veteran actor at just 18, I shouldn’t be surprised.
Now more than ever, I know Regretting You is going to be a hit
After our conversation with the cast and a pitstop at craftie for snacks, it was time to head back to the hotel. I had zero reservations about the film going into this visit, but seeing everyone in action only confirmed my expectations. If I wasn’t already counting down to the release, I certainly am now. Every part of this production shows that the Regretting You team understands their audience and is committed to delivering a film we’re all going to absolutely love.
When does Regretting You come out?
Clear your schedule for late October, Regretting You hits theaters on October 24. Personally, I’ll be in the audience on opening night.
Read the book before you watch
From #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Ends with Us comes a novel about family, first love, grief, and betrayal that will touch the hearts of both mothers and daughters.
Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.
