When Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames walked into a buzzing theater on Monday, October 19, 2025, the buzz wasn’t just about popcorn; it was about the first public glimpse of their new drama Regretting You. Hosted by Buzzfeed in Los Angeles, the event gathered co‑stars Allison Williams and Dave Franco for a quick photo‑op before the lights dimmed. The film, set to hit theaters the next Friday, October 24, has already sparked chatter across social feeds, thanks to a slick pre‑release rollout that feels more like a mini‑tour than a single premiere.

Screenings Roll Out Across the Coast

The Los Angeles showing was officially logged as Regretting You LA ScreeningLos Angeles. Photographs snapped by Unique Nicole of Getty Images for Paramount Pictures captured the trio laughing on the red carpet, a moment that quickly made the rounds on Instagram.

Three days later, on October 22, the party moved east to New York City. This time the venue was the Paramount Pictures Screening Room, and the event was logged as Regretting You NY ScreeningNew York City. John Nacion of Getty Images captured Mason Thames chatting with Allison Williams and Dave Franco, while fans queued outside for a glimpse of the movie poster.

The coast‑to‑coast buzz culminated on Thursday, October 23, with a nationwide "Regretting You: A Night of No Regrets" event. Ticket holders not only saw the film early but also got a livestream Q&A with the cast, a surprise musical performance, and exclusive merch bundles. The strategy—stacked screenings, live interaction, limited‑edition swag—mirrors a growing trend in Hollywood where studios treat the opening weekend like a festival.

Inside the Film: Plot and Cast

Based on a bestselling novel, Regretting You follows Morgan Grant (Allison Williams), a mother reeling from a car accident that uncovers a betrayal that threatens to tear her family apart. Her teenage daughter Clara (Mckenna Grace) becomes the emotional anchor as the pair navigate grief, secrets, and a surprising path to forgiveness.

Supporting roles round out the ensemble: Dave Franco plays a charismatic therapist who offers counsel at the edge of his own moral gray zone; Mason Thames appears as Clara’s confidante, a budding musician with a secret of his own; veteran actor Scott Eastwood lends gravitas as Morgan’s estranged brother; and Willa Fitzgerald adds nuance as the family’s enigmatic aunt.

Fandango lists the runtime at 1 hour 57 minutes, positioning it squarely in the drama category—nothing too long for an opening‑night crowd, but enough time to let the emotional beats land. The film’s core theme—resilience after tragedy—aims to strike a chord with audiences still processing real‑world upheavals.

Paramount’s Marketing Playbook

Paramount Pictures appears to be pulling out all the stops. By staging two city‑specific premieres, the studio gives the press a “buy‑in” angle: "West Coast excitement meets East Coast buzz." The buzz‑building continues with the Thursday night event, which combines a traditional early‑screening with interactive perks. Here’s why it matters:

• Early word‑of‑mouth: Fans who saw the film on the 23rd can post reactions before the official release, fueling organic hype.
• Data collection: Live‑stream Q&A analytics let Paramount gauge which cast members generate the most engagement.
• Merchandise revenue: Exclusive items sold at the event add a direct cash stream, offsetting marketing costs.
• Social amplification: Influencers invited to the LA and NY screenings posted stories that amassed millions of impressions within 24 hours.

Industry analysts note that this layered approach mirrors strategies used for blockbuster franchises, but it’s relatively rare for a mid‑budget drama. If the opening weekend box office exceeds $15 million, Paramount could set a new benchmark for genre‑driven releases.

What Critics and Audiences Can Expect

Early screenings have already yielded a handful of reviews. Variety praised the "raw chemistry" between Williams and Grace, while IndieWire highlighted the film’s "unflinching look at family trauma without slipping into melodrama." On social media, teaser clips of the accident scene have racked up over 2 million views, sparking speculation about the film’s “shocking betrayal.”

For audiences, the promise is clear: a story that feels both intimate and universally relatable. The movie’s pacing—steady, with a climactic reveal in the final quarter—should satisfy viewers who crave emotional payoff without the fatigue of an over‑long runtime.

Looking Ahead: Release Plans and Beyond

After the October 24 theatrical debut, Paramount has hinted at a swift digital rollout, though no date is locked yet. Given the film’s source material’s bestseller status, a strong home‑video performance is likely. Internationally, dubbed and subtitled versions are already slated for Europe and Asia, indicating the studio’s confidence in the story’s cross‑cultural resonance.

Meanwhile, the cast is expected to hit the talk‑show circuit the week of the release—think "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night with Seth Meyers"—to keep the momentum alive. If the buzz translates into ticket sales, "Regretting You" could become a case study in how targeted pre‑release events power a mid‑budget film into the cultural conversation.

Key Facts

• Film title: Regretting You
• Director: Not disclosed in sources (pending official announcement)
• Lead cast: Allison Williams, Mckenna Grace, Dave Franco, Mason Thames
• Distributor: Paramount Pictures
• U.S. theatrical release: Friday, October 24, 2025
• Runtime: 1 hr 57 min