When Mckenna Grace, a 19‑year‑old actress, plays Clara Grant, and Mason Thames, 18, who portrays Jonah Tyler, stepped onto the red carpet at the Zoo Palast theatre in Berlin on , the buzz was louder than the city’s famed traffic horns. The couple’s real‑life romance, sparked by a TikTok kiss trend earlier that year, added a layer of intrigue to what was already a high‑profile promotional push for the upcoming romantic drama Regretting You.
Berlin Premiere Highlights
The event, officially catalogued as the Berlin premiere of Regretting YouZoo Palast, Berlin, Germany, drew a crowd of journalists from Entertainment Tonight and iHollywoodTV. The two minutes and sixteen seconds interview on Entertainment Tonight featured Thames saying, “Getting to do this with Mckenna has been one of the best experiences of my life.” He added that the chemistry they display on‑screen “grounds us” amid a grueling press schedule.
After the interview, the pair posed for a series of photos that instantly lit up Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Fans noted how their smiles seemed genuine, a welcome contrast to the sometimes‑staged vibe of movie premieres. The night ended with a brief clip from the film’s trailer, a montage of a car crash, teary eyes, and a whispered promise – all hallmarks of Colleen Hoover’s trademark melodrama.
Plot and Cast Overview
The story, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestseller, follows the Grant family after a devastating accident shatters their lives. Allison Williams plays Morgan Grant, the grieving mother, while Grace’s Clara struggles to piece together the family’s secret past. Supporting roles include Dave Franco, Scott Eastwood, and Willa Fitzgerald. Clancy Brown lends gravitas as the grandfather of Thames’s character.
According to the promotional material, the film explores themes of grief, regret, and the difficult choices families make after tragedy. A three‑minute‑forty‑five‑second interview with Grace and Thames on iHollywoodTV revealed that “all of these characters are just trying to figure themselves out,” and that “the whole movie is about grief and regret and choices that we should or should not have made.”
Real‑Life Romance Off‑Screen
The romance between Grace and Thames began in earnest after they participated in a viral TikTok trend in April 2025, where couples posted a quick kiss to celebrate “spring love.” A follow‑up piece on Just Jared on October 13 confirmed that the kiss was not a stunt – the two were indeed dating. Their on‑screen pairing in Regretting You is the first major film project they have tackled together.
During the Entertainment Tonight sit‑down, Thames described Grace as “my favorite” and expressed hope that the collaboration would continue beyond this picture. Grace, smiling shyly, added, “We’re learning a lot from each other, both professionally and personally.” Their chemistry has become a selling point, especially as the movie’s marketing team pushes behind‑the‑scenes footage of the duo “capturing so much on social media together.”
Critical Reception and Media Push
Advance reviews have already started trickling in. The Guardian published a piece on October 22 titled “Regretting You review – sudsy Colleen Hoover adaptation is no *It Ends with Us*,” noting that while the film leans into melodrama, the performances—especially Grace’s nuanced portrayal of a grieving teenager—elevate the material.
Meanwhile, Deadline Film + TV ran Damon Wise’s review, “True Love Inevitably Prevails In A Ridiculous Romantic Drama,” which praised the supporting cast and called the cinematography “surprisingly lush for a straight‑to‑theater romance.” Both outlets agreed that the movie’s success will likely ride the wave of previous Hoover adaptations, such as the blockbuster “It Ends with Us.”
Television appearances are also on the docket. Allison Williams is slated for The Drew Barrymore Show (Season 6, Episode 67) on October 23, 2025, where she will discuss the film’s emotional core and her own experience working alongside Grace.
Looking Ahead: Tour and Future Projects
The Berlin stop kicks off an international press tour that will likely include key markets such as London, Sydney, and Tokyo, though exact dates remain unannounced. In the Entertainment Tonight interview, Thames hinted, “I hope we do more movies together,” suggesting that the two may be eyeing future collaborations, perhaps even a sequel if the box office rolls in their favor.
U.S. audiences can expect the theatrical release on Friday, October 24, 2025, with a simultaneous streaming window on Amazon devices via an ad‑free link provided by the film’s distributor. Early ticket sales indicate strong demand in major cities, a trend that mirrors the success of other Hoover‑based releases.
Background on Colleen Hoover Adaptations
Colleen Hoover has built a reputation for turning emotionally charged YA novels into cinematic events. Since the surprise hit of “It Ends with Us” in 2023, studios have raced to secure adaptation rights, betting on her built‑in fanbase. Regretting You follows that playbook, marrying a familiar narrative structure – a tragic accident, secret revelations, and eventual redemption – with a fresh cast that includes rising stars Grace and Thames.
- Premiere date: (Berlin)
- U.S. theatrical release:
- Source material: Regretting You by Colleen Hoover (2021 bestseller)
- Key cast: Mckenna Grace, Mason Thames, Allison Williams, Dave Franco, Scott Eastwood
- Director: John K. Murphy (first‑time feature director)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Berlin premiere affect the film’s U.S. release?
The Berlin event serves as a high‑visibility launch for the international press tour, generating buzz that feeds directly into U.S. marketing. Positive reactions from European media, combined with the couple’s social‑media reach, are expected to boost opening‑week ticket sales when the movie hits U.S. theaters on October 24.
What’s the significance of Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames’s real‑life relationship?
Their romance adds a layer of authenticity to on‑screen chemistry, which marketers are leveraging across interviews, Instagram stories, and TikTok clips. Fans of the TikTok trend are turning into potential moviegoers, expanding the film’s demographic beyond traditional romance audiences.
How does Regretting You compare to previous Colleen Hoover adaptations?
While it shares Hoover’s hallmark of intense emotional stakes, critics note that Regretting You leans more heavily on melodramatic set‑pieces than the grittier tone of It Ends with Us. However, strong performances from Grace and Thames may give it a unique edge in the franchise.
What other promotional events are planned after Berlin?
The tour will likely hit major media hubs—London’s West End, Sydney’s Opera House, and Tokyo’s Shinjuku district—where both stars will appear on local talk shows and conduct fan meet‑ups. Exact dates are pending, but the itinerary aims to keep momentum steady until the U.S. release.
Will Grace and Thames work together again after this film?
Thames hinted during the Entertainment Tonight interview that they hope to collaborate on future projects. While no official announcement has been made, both have expressed mutual admiration, making a sequel or a joint TV venture plausible.
