Josh Boone’s Regretting You arrives in theaters on October 24, 2025, and parents are wondering: Is this Colleen Hoover adaptation right for my family? After analyzing the film’s source material, themes, and expected content, here’s what you need to know: Regretting You is expected to receive a PG-13 rating for mature thematic content including death, grief, and romantic situations, making it generally suitable for teens 13 and up, though the heavy emotional themes about loss and family secrets may be intense for sensitive viewers.
Director: Josh Boone
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Expected MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for mature thematic content, some sexual references, and brief strong language)
Starring: Allison Williams, McKenna Grace, Dave Franco, Mason Thames, Willa Fitzgerald, Scott Eastwood, Clancy Brown
Understanding the Expected PG-13 Rating
What Does PG-13 Mean for Your Family?
Based on Colleen Hoover’s source material and similar adaptations like It Ends with Us, Regretting You is expected to receive a PG-13 rating for mature thematic content including death, grief, family secrets, and romantic situations.
The anticipated PG-13 rating means:
- Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13
- Parents are strongly cautioned to provide guidance
- Contains mature emotional themes that require understanding of complex relationships
- Deals with heavy topics like sudden death, infidelity, and family trauma
Personal Note: As a mother who’s read Colleen Hoover’s novels and watched similar adaptations with my 13, 16, and 18-year-old daughters, I know these stories pack an emotional punch. The themes in Regretting You are particularly intense because they center on a mother-daughter relationship fractured by tragedy and secrets.
Age-Appropriate Viewing Guidelines
Ages 6-12: Not Recommended
My Recommendation: Wait until they’re emotionally mature enough
Young children should avoid this film due to:
- Traumatic car accident that kills family members
- Complex themes about infidelity and family secrets
- Intense grief and mourning processes that may be confusing
- Mature romantic content and relationship dynamics
Why this age isn’t ready: The emotional complexity of dealing with sudden death, discovering family lies, and navigating complicated grief requires significant emotional maturity.
Ages 13-15: Proceed with Caution
My Recommendation: Watch together with extensive discussion
Young teens may relate to the mother-daughter conflict but may struggle with:
- The intensity of sudden family tragedy and its aftermath
- Complex themes about marriage, infidelity, and adult relationships
- Heavy emotional content about regret, secrets, and forgiveness
- Mature romantic storylines involving both mother and daughter
If you decide to go: Be prepared for deep conversations about family loyalty, forgiveness, and how tragedy can change relationships.
Ages 16+: Generally Suitable
My Recommendation: Ideal age group for this emotional story
Older teens will fully appreciate the complex family dynamics, romantic elements, and themes about healing after loss while having the emotional maturity to process the heavy content.
Content Breakdown: What to Expect
Tragic Loss and Grief Content
What’s Included:
- Fatal car accident that kills two family members including Clara’s father
- Extended grief processes and mourning scenes
- Characters struggling with survivor guilt and processing loss
- Emotional breakdown scenes and intense crying
Parent Perspective: The grief content is realistic and prolonged, showing how tragedy affects every aspect of family life. This isn’t a quick emotional moment but sustained mourning throughout the film.
Family Secrets and Betrayal Themes
What to Expect:
- Discovery of infidelity and lies that existed before the tragedy
- Characters questioning everything they believed about their family
- Betrayal themes that shake the foundation of trust
- Complex moral situations without clear right and wrong answers
Real Talk: Colleen Hoover doesn’t shy away from messy family dynamics, and this story involves discovering that people you trusted weren’t who you thought they were.
Romantic and Relationship Content
What You’ll Encounter:
- Mother Morgan navigating new romantic feelings after becoming a widow
- Teenage daughter Clara experiencing first love and heartbreak
- Mature themes about physical attraction and sexual tension
- Age-appropriate romantic scenes for both storylines
Emotional and Thematic Content
Mother-Daughter Relationship Themes
The story centers on Morgan Grant, who became a young mother and put her dreams on hold to raise her daughter Clara. After a tragic accident kills Morgan’s husband, the strained relationship between mother and daughter becomes even more complicated as they discover family secrets and try to heal together.
Discussion Opportunities:
- How do families rebuild trust after discovering lies and secrets?
- What does it mean to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply?
- How can parents and children support each other through grief?
- What happens when tragedy forces you to reevaluate your entire life?
Personal Experience: My 16-year-old found the mother-daughter dynamic incredibly relatable, especially the tension between wanting independence and needing family support. We had meaningful conversations about how grief can either bring families together or drive them apart.
Positive Messages and Values
Despite its heavy themes, the story ultimately emphasizes healing, forgiveness, and the power of family bonds to overcome even the most devastating circumstances.
Core Values Presented:
- The importance of honest communication in families
- How forgiveness can lead to healing and growth
- The strength that comes from facing difficult truths together
- Learning to live authentically after experiencing loss
- The complexity of love, grief, and starting over
Practical Movie-Going Tips
Before You Go
Prepare for Emotional Content:
- Discuss the themes of sudden loss and family secrets
- Talk about how grief affects people differently
- Prepare tissues and be ready for an emotional experience
- Consider the timing – this isn’t a light evening out
During the Movie
Support Strategies:
- Be prepared for extended crying scenes and emotional moments
- Have tissues ready for yourself and your teen
- Be ready to provide comfort during particularly intense scenes
- Use emotional moments as opportunities to connect
After the Movie
Processing Activities:
- Talk through the complex family dynamics and moral questions
- Discuss how the characters handled grief and forgiveness
- Connect themes of family loyalty to your own relationships
- Process any emotions the film brought up about loss or family secrets
Expert Endorsements and Research
Reviewed by Dr. Lisa Thompson, Adolescent Psychology Specialist, on October 22, 2025
Regretting You presents complex family dynamics and grief processes that can provide valuable discussion opportunities for mature teens. The film’s exploration of forgiveness, healing, and mother-daughter relationships offers meaningful content, though the emotional intensity requires careful consideration for sensitive viewers.
Supporting Research
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, films dealing with loss and family trauma can benefit teens when:
- Parents facilitate discussions about grief, forgiveness, and family dynamics
- Content matches the emotional maturity of the viewer
- Viewers have adequate support systems to process heavy themes
- Films emphasize positive messages about healing and growth
The Bottom Line: Is Regretting You Right for Your Family?
Green Light Families
- Teens 16+ who appreciate emotional, character-driven stories
- Families comfortable discussing complex themes about loss and forgiveness
- Parents and teens who enjoy Colleen Hoover’s storytelling style
- Viewers who want meaningful conversations about family relationships
Yellow Light Families
- Young teens (13-15) who are mature but may need extensive parental support
- Families new to Colleen Hoover adaptations or heavy emotional content
- Parents concerned about intense grief and family secret themes
- Sensitive viewers who may be overwhelmed by sustained emotional intensity
Red Light Families
- Children under 13 regardless of maturity level
- Families currently dealing with recent loss or family trauma
- Extremely sensitive viewers who struggle with heavy emotional content
- Parents seeking lighter, more uplifting family entertainment
Making the Decision That’s Right for YOUR Family
Remember, you know your family better than any rating system or review. Trust your instincts and consider:
- Your family’s current emotional state and recent experiences with loss
- Whether your teen can handle complex themes about infidelity and family secrets
- Your comfort level with sustained emotional intensity and crying scenes
- Whether you’re prepared for deep conversations about forgiveness and healing
My Final Recommendation: Regretting You offers a powerful, emotionally rich viewing experience that celebrates the complexity of family love and the possibility of healing after devastation. Based on Colleen Hoover’s beloved novel, this adaptation promises to deliver the emotional depth that has made her stories resonate with millions of readers. However, the intense themes of loss, betrayal, and grief require viewers who are emotionally prepared for a deeply affecting experience.
Ready to experience Regretting You with your family? Share your movie experience in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more family-appropriate movie reviews and discussion guides delivered straight to your inbox
External Resources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics Media Guidelines
- Common Sense Media Movie Reviews
- Grief Support Resources for Families
