Step into the world of Colleen Hoover’s Regretting You as stars Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames reveal the candid truths behind their on-screen romance, from a terrifying jump-and-kiss scene to a cascade of improvised smooches and the palpable chemistry that blossomed between them, shaping one of the year’s most anticipated adaptations.
The highly anticipated adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2019 novel, Regretting You, brings a poignant story of love, loss, and family to the big screen. At its heart are the captivating performances of young stars Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames, whose on-screen chemistry as Clara Grant and Miller Adams has become a major talking point. While their characters navigate complicated grief and a budding romance, the actors themselves shared a unique bond that influenced many of the film’s most memorable moments, including a climactic jump-and-kiss scene and a series of delightful improvised smooches.
The Jump-and-Kiss That Terrified Mckenna Grace
One of the most anticipated scenes in Regretting You involved a dramatic jump and kiss between Grace’s character, Clara, and Thames’s Miller. For Mckenna Grace, this pivotal moment was a source of considerable anxiety, so much so that she insisted on rehearsing it with her costar the night before filming. Speaking with People, Grace, 19, confessed, “I was just so scared.”
The impromptu practice session took place in a hotel hallway, a detail Thames, 18, fondly recalled as Grace added, “So bad.” Her fear stemmed from a natural concern about the logistics of being lifted: “What if I run and jump at him and he just falls on me?” she wondered. She quickly clarified that it wasn’t a reflection on Thames’s strength, but rather a common apprehension for women. Despite her initial trepidation, Grace admitted the scene ultimately proved to be “really fun,” a sentiment likely shared by audiences watching the magical moment unfold.
The Unscripted Smooches: “A Lot of Kisses” Improvised
Beyond the rehearsed jump-and-kiss, Grace and Thames’s on-screen connection led to a surprising number of improvised romantic moments. During a particular prom-posal scene, the young actors felt their characters, Clara and Miller, would naturally smooch. “And so we did — like, every take,” Thames revealed in an interview with People, recalling only “maybe one take where we didn’t do it.”
While these spontaneous expressions of affection added authenticity to their performances, not all of them made it into the final cut of the Josh Boone-directed film. Grace found humor in the situation, laughing as she recounted watching the movie: “We’re watching the movie. And we did that and it didn’t make it!” The playful improvisations highlight the natural rapport between the costars, even if director Boone had to make some difficult editorial choices.
Beyond the Script: Real-Life Chemistry and Shared Projects
The undeniable chemistry between Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames extends beyond their roles in Regretting You. The pair first met in an Uber, where they “just clicked immediately,” as Thames described, making their first meeting anything but awkward. Their easy connection quickly became a foundation for their on-screen magic, with Thames noting their chemistry was “so easy.” Grace, ever the charmer, playfully quipped, “Chemistry? I hardly know her!” when asked about their rapport.
Their bond is so strong that it has fueled romance rumors among fans, especially after they were photographed holding hands and posted kissing videos on TikTok. This real-life connection has translated into further collaborations. Following Regretting You, fans can look forward to seeing them together again in New Year’s Rev, a comedy produced by Green Day, which premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Grace’s admiration for her costar is clear, as she gushed in an interview with Rachel Leishman, “There was nobody I would’ve rather done it with,” emphasizing the joy and comfort she found working alongside Thames.
‘Regretting You’: A Story of Love Amidst Grief
At its core, Regretting You is a poignant narrative based on Colleen Hoover’s 2019 novel. The film centers on Allison Williams’s character, Morgan Grant, a mother who has put her own ambitions aside to raise her daughter, Clara (Mckenna Grace). A devastating family tragedy further complicates their already strained relationship, forcing them to navigate life’s challenges and grief together.
The film masterfully balances intense drama with moments of blossoming romance. Grace noted the difficulty of this balance, questioning the director, “Josh, hey, everybody just died. What am I doing?” Yet, she understood that individuals process grief differently, sometimes focusing on distractions like a “fun little crush” before the full weight of their emotions hits. The ensemble cast also includes Dave Franco, Scott Eastwood, and Willa Fitzgerald, all contributing to the emotional depth of this compelling adaptation, which is currently in theaters.
The collaborative spirit and genuine connection between Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames undoubtedly brought a special magic to Regretting You. Their willingness to be vulnerable, both in their characters’ shoes and in their real-life interactions, has created a memorable on-screen romance that resonates deeply with audiences.
