History Main / PartingWordsRegret

* In the film adaptation of ''Literature/TheSpiderwickChronicles'', when it briefly appears that Jared will be trapped in the fairy realm, one of his regrets is that the last thing he ever told his mother was, "I hate you and I don't want to live with you!" Fortunately, he ends up being able to escape and gets a chance to fix it.

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** Jack admits he wasn't even able to say goodbye to Jouglat before he left for the warr, being too upset by the news, and eventually got used to the idea that his brother would die a soldier. By the time he returned, Jack was so wrapped up in his art show, he cared more about Jouglat's lack of interest in art than he did about the fact that his brother was actually home again.

** Parodied in "The Trouble with Ricky", where he blames Ricky for the burning of his garage and bemoans the "death" of his golf clubs, saying that the last words to his lucky putter were "I hate you".

* In the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'' fanfic ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/32567947 The Storms of War]]'', Steve refuses to let Sharon, who was recently injured during a mission and hasn't fully recovered yet, accompany him, Sam, and Wanda to Wakanda when they receive a distress signal, stating that it's too dangerous for her to go, upsetting her, [[AbandonmentInducedAnimosity which isn't helped by the fact that he had]] [[DeconstructionFic already basically left her behind]] [[Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar after she stole his shield for him]]. When Sharon is left alone at the team's safe house, she's attacked by mercenaries and the fight ends with her blowing the safe house up. By the time Steve, Sam, and Wanda get back, [[NoOneCouldSurviveThat they can't find Sharon in the wreckage]] which causes Steve to feel immense guilt for his decision to leave her behind. When Steve meets Sharon again, who was rescued by Natasha, [[BigDamnReunion the two share an intimate hug]].

* ''Fanfic/BreathOfTheWild'', as a fanmade novelized adaptation of the original game, features every memory seen in canon, with a few expansions. One of these includes the "Father and Daughter" memory, which features a much more adversarial confrontation between Zelda and King Rhoam where she [[CallingTheOldManOut calls her father out on not really being a father to her since her mother died]]. In the re-creation of the "Return of Calamity Ganon" memory, Zelda expresses to Link that she really regrets saying that to her father, and admits that she exaggerated the negative, and wishes to make amends with him when she returns to the castle. Needless to say, given the memory in question, Calamity Ganon awakens before that happens, killing him and preventing that. [[spoiler:She and her father make amends at the very end when King Rhoam's spirit visits her and he apologizes to her for being a distant father.]]

* In ''Series/BurnNotice'', Fiona and her sister had a fight before her sister was killed in a shooting and she's always regretted it. Her sister's death motivated her to join the IRA.

** Similarly in another episode, the VictimOfTheWeek's [[SportsDad father]] reveals that the last time he spoke to his daughter before she was killed he tried to convince her to drop out of college to focus full-time on tennis resulting in an argument between the two, he accused her of being unappreciative towards him and leaves.

* In ''Theatre/IntoTheWoods'', the Baker and his wife split up to search for Jack while the wife leaves their infant son with Little Red Riding Hood. The Baker, however wonders if that's a safe idea with a giant wandering through the kingdom (several people had died up to that point), and it leads to the two of them arguing. Shortly thereafter, the Baker's wife is also crushed by the giant.

* Played with in the grand finale of ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'' where it's the dead person who expresses regret post-mortem. Luz ends up being killed by Belos' MeatMoss after TakingTheBullet for the Collector (don't worry, [[DisneyDeath she gets better]]). She tries to say something emotionally impactful to Eda and King before she expires, but admits that she can't come up with the right words. It's only after she dies and her soul is sinking into the waters of [[VoidBetweenTheWorlds the In Between Realm]] that she realizes what she actually wanted to say was "thank you for everything".

* ''Film/SoClose'': After Sue gets into an argument with her older sister, Lynn, Sue apologizes to her sister by recording herself with her own camcorder and put it in front of Lynn's bedroom door. Sadly, it's the last time she saw Lynn as later [[spoiler:Lynn is murdered while desperately saving her from getting arrested by Kong and the other police]]. Cue, Sue regrets for refusing to believe and comply to her older sister's advice about the dangerous life as a criminal.

* ''Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1990'': Leonardo and Raphael get into an argument, and as Raph storms off, Leo yells "go ahead, we don't need you!" Raphael is subsequently ambushed and beaten half to death. The guilt of those last words drives Leo to sit by Raphael's bedside for days until he finally wakes up.

* ''Literature/ArtemisFowl'': In the eighth book ''The Last Guardian'', as Foaly is racing to save [[spoiler:his wife]], he tries desperately to remember his last words to her. He ''thinks'' it was "I love you", but he isn't sure. [[spoiler:Fortunately, he's able to save her.]]

** Aunt Petunia hates Harry so much, because, on top of her already being jealous of her Witch sister, her and Lily were not on speaking terms when she was killed by Voldemort. Petunia still harbors guilt over never reconciling with her, and sees Harry as a constant reminder of her actions.
* ''Literature/IfIStay'': Adam [[spoiler:broke up with Mia]] before the crash because she couldn't promise to spend New Year's the next year with him. When he finally talks to her in the hospital, he's in tears.

* ''Literature/InterviewWithTheVampire'': Louis' last words with his brother were a harsh argument -- the brother claimed to have had a religious vision that they should sell their possessions to become missionaries, and Louis mocked him as delusional. The brother [[DeathByFallingOver died in a fall]] immediately after, leaving Louis nearly suicidal with self-recrimination.

* ''Literature/NinaTanleven'': In ''The Ghost Let Go'', Dolores Smiley's last words to her mother were "I HATE YOU!", before [[spoiler:Mrs. Smiley and Dolores' boyfriend (the cause of the argument) were killed in a car crash, while Dolores was horribly disfigured]]. The regret at those words and the fact that ghosts can't communicate with the living (except the protagonists) is what is causing Mrs. Smiley to stay, hence the title.

* In ''Literature/TheShatteringPreludeToCataclysm'', Thrall, while leaving for Outland, finds his old friend [[spoiler:Cairne Bloodhoof]] waiting for him, who bitterly complains about his choice of Garrosh as Warchief. The two have an argument, and Thrall's last words are telling his friend that he has made his decision and it's up to him whether he helps Garrosh or undermines the Horde by being stubborn. Thrall considers apologizing, but the next thing he hears about [[spoiler:Cairne]] is his death, which is partly Garrosh's fault.

* ''Literature/TheSwordOfSaintFerdinand'': Subverted. Army captain Álvar Pérez tries to talk their soldiers into dropping their grudges and forgiving each other prior to the battle so that nobody has to regret their last words directed at each other. Pero Miguel pretends to agree to make peace with García de Vargas, but in reality is hoping for one chance to come closer to Diego and kill him.
* Creator/DaveBarry's novel ''Literature/TrickyBusiness'': Wally, the protagonist, is lost at sea with a wounded woman, trying to stay alive until help comes. He's kept it together reasonably well, until he remembers that the last thing he said to his mother as he left the house was to shrug off her offer of an umbrella (''"Mom, for God's sakes, it's purple"''), and then to drive away without saying goodbye. Then he starts sobbing like a baby.

** Carlos and Manolo [[spoiler:before the latter's death]] have an argument about Manolo refusing to kill a bull. By the time we cut back to the real world, Carlos is [[spoiler:mourning beside his son's grave]] and only mellows [[spoiler:when he also dies and witnesses his son taming the demonic bull with music]].
** The last thing Jaoquin says to Manolo before [[spoiler:the latter dies was that [[YouShouldHaveDiedInstead he should have died instead of Maria]]]]. It certainly starts his CharacterDevelopment in asking himself if a marriage to Maria was worth it, since she only will marry him so he will stay to protect San Angel.
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Coco}}'', Miguel tells his family that he wants nothing to do with them for hating music and runs away to be a musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. [[spoiler:Later, he breaks down crying into Hector's arms over what he said, having realized he abandoned the people he loves to follow [[BrokenPedestal a murderous phony]].]]

* A variation in ''Film/AprilShowers'' with the person dying being the regretful one. [[spoiler:As he lies dying, Mr. Blackwell regrets forgetting to say "I love you." to his wife on the morning of the shooting.]]

* ''Film/Freaks2018:'' Chloe is a seven year old girl who is fed up with spending her life hiding indoors. She has an argument with her ProperlyParanoid father and tells him "I hope you die," to which he replies "One day I'll be gone, and you'll regret saying that."

* ''Film/GrampsIsInTheResistance'': While Nazis are about to execute hostages, resistant Jacques Frémontel, among them, [[FaceDeathWithDignity is ready]]. His only regret is his last exchange with Mireille, the head of his resistance network, that was an argument. Thus, they'll stay angry at each other while Jacques wanted to patch things up.

** Both Kevin and his mother say hurtful things to each other in their last meeting. Kevin angrily said he never wanted to see her or any of their family ever again for the rest of his life. Kate essentially tells him he should ask Santa for a new family then since all he does is cause trouble. When they reunite, Kate apologizes to Kevin and understands if he doesn't forgive her as a minor family argument is no excuse to accidentally forget and leave your young child alone for a few days. Kevin quickly forgives her.

* ''Film/{{Jumanji}}'': In 1969, Alan Parrish gets into an argument with his father after being told that he wants to send him to a boarding school, with Alan saying to him "I'm never talking to you again!" Shortly afterwards, he starts the titular game with his schoolmate Sarah Whittle, however he gets sucked into the game and Sarah's too terrified to continue. It isn't until 1995 that he's finally freed by Judy and Peter, who'd found the game, and he's heartbroken to discover that not only have his parents since passed away, but that his father had spent the rest of his life and family fortune trying to find him after he disappeared. Thankfully, when the game is won, [[ResetButton time gets reset to 1969]], [[SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong and they're able to reconcile]], and in the improved timeline, Alan's parents are alive and well in the 1990s.

** ''Film/ThorTheDarkWorld'': [[spoiler:Loki tells Frigga that she's not really his mother. That is the last time he ever sees her. He doesn't even get an invitation to her funeral. It's slightly alleviated by the fact both of them know [[BlatantLies he doesn't mean any of it]], but it still clearly tears him apart and it shows when Thor comes for him -- Loki is a MessOfWoe and furniture in his room is torn to pieces]].

*** Pietro Maximoff {{Kill Steal}}s Clint's robots and casually insults him, calling him a slow old man while running off with Wanda. Clint half-heartedly draws his bow in his general direction, muttering sarcastically "[[UriahGambit Nobody would know. Nobody.]] 'Last I saw him, an Ultron was sitting on him. Yeah, he'll be missed, that quick little bastard. [[BlatantLies I miss him already!]]'" Then at the climax, Clint prepares to use his body as a human shield in order to save an innocent child as Ultron strafes the area with the Quinjet's gatling guns, only for Pietro to dive in front of both of them at the last second. The look in Clint's eyes says it all.

* ''Literature/ArtemisFowl'': In the eight book ''The Last Guardian'', as Foaly is racing to save [[spoiler:his wife]], he tries desperately to remember his last words to her. He ''thinks'' it was "I love you", but he isn't sure. [[spoiler:Fortunately, he's able to save her.]]

* In the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'' fanfic ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/32567947 The Storms of War]]'', Steve refuses to let Sharon, who was recently injured during a mission and hasn't fully recovered yet, accompany him, Sam, and Wanda to Wakanda when they receive a distress signal, stating that it's too dangerous for her to go, upsetting her, [[AbandonmentInducedAnimosity which isn't helped by the fact that he had]] [[DeconstructionFic already basically left her behind]] [[Film/CaptainAmericaCivilWar after she stole his shield for him]]. When Sharon is left alone at the team's safe house, she's attacked by mercenaries and the fight ends with her blowing the safe house up. By the time Steve, Sam, and Wanda get back, they can't find Sharon in the wreckage which causes Steve to feel immense guilt for his decision to leave her behind. When Steve meets Sharon again, who was rescued by Natasha, [[BigDamnReunion the two share an intimate hug]].

* In ''Film/{{Mowgli}}'', this is not outright said, but is heavily implied to go through Mowgli's mind when he finds out Bhoot, his albino wolf best friend got killed by [[EvilBrit John Lockwood]] some time after he had only said hurtful things to him.

* In ''Film/Mowgli'', this is not outright said, but is heavily implied to go through Mowgli's mind when he finds out Bhoot, his albino wolf best friend got killed by [[EvilBrit John Lockwood]] some time after he had only said hurtful things to him.

* The last thing Claire said to her mother before the latter's death in ''Literature/ImInLoveWithTheVillainess'' was ""I hate you!" after a petty argument. She deeply regrets having said that to her before her death, and in the immediate aftermath, locked herself in her bedroom for days crying her eyes out and wondering if she could see her mother again if she herself died.

* In the DarkerAndEdgier ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends web series [[WebAnimation/SodorDarkTimes Sodor: Dark Times]], James’ final interaction with Henry before the latter is killed by [[spoiler: Alfred]] is a cruel rebuttal onto Henry asking if James could take his train. [[https://youtu.be/OxAsthLLk6Y?si=ahk51EcjHBrbw8aB This deleted scene]] shows James apologising to Henry, [[TearJerker far, far too late]].

* In the DarkerAndEdgier ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends web series [[WebAnimation/SodorDarkTimes]], James’ final interaction with Henry before the latter is killed by [[spoiler: Alfred]] is a cruel rebuttal onto Henry asking if James could take his train. [[https://youtu.be/OxAsthLLk6Y?si=ahk51EcjHBrbw8aB This deleted scene]] shows James apologising to Henry, [[TearJerker far, far too late]].

* A variant, seeing as no one dies, but in ''WesternAnimation/TheWildThornberrysMovie'', Eliza laments that the last thing she said to Darwin before [[SpeaksFluentAnimal her ability to talk to animals]] was taken away was: "Darwin, for once in your life, just! ''[[BigShutUp Be]]! [[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor QUIET!!]]''"

* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:''

** ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron:''

* ''Franchise/SpiderMan'':

* ''Literature/AccidentalDetectives'': The last words Mike’s cousin Sarah ever said to her father (who died in a farming accident a couple hours later) were that she hated him for not letting her go to a party. Sarah is deeply upset about this and as a result has trouble believing that his dying message “Love” was meant for her instead of just her mother.

* In ''The Last Guardian'', book 8 of the ''Literature/ArtemisFowl'' series, as Foaly is racing to save [[spoiler:his wife]], he tries desperately to remember his last words to her. He ''thinks'' it was "I love you", but he isn't sure. [[spoiler:Fortunately, he's able to save her.]]

* In ''Literature/{{Divergent}}'', the last thing that Tris says to [[spoiler:Al]] is that [[spoiler:if he comes near her again, she'll kill him]]. He [[spoiler:commits suicide the evening after]], and Tris wonders if she was too hard on him. [[spoiler:To be fair, Al ''did'' try to kill her...]]

-->'''Song Lan''': When he [Xiao Xingchen] wakes, [I'll] say "I'm sorry, it wasn’t your fault".

** Part of the reason why Aunt Petunia hates Harry so much. On top of her already being jealous of her Witch sister, her and Lily were not on speaking terms when she was killed by Voldemort. Petunia still harbors guilt over never reconciling with her, and sees Harry as a constant reminder of her actions.
* ''[[Literature/BoyfriendMaterial Husband Material]]'': Subverted in the second book. Oliver doesn't regret that his final words to his father were "go fuck yourself", he sees their conflict as something that was a long time coming, from a lifetime of his father's judgmental and homophobic treatment of him and all of his partners, including Luc, who is his fiancé by that time. His regret much more comes from the fact that he hadn't done it sooner or that his father didn't live long enough for them to be able to work out said conflicts. In his eulogy, he says that he wonders whether a few more months would have his father admitting he had it coming.
* In ''Literature/IfIStay'', Adam [[spoiler:broke up with Mia]] before the crash because she couldn't promise to spend New Year's the next year with him. When he finally talks to her in the hospital, he's in tears.

* The businessman in ''Literature/StationEleven'' who didn't get to speak to his family at all before the outbreak; the last phone call he ever made was a meaningless business call full of corporate jargon.

* One ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' story had a flashback that showed 8-year-old Bruce getting angry at his parents for some reason and saying that he hated them. In an effort to cheer up Bruce, his parents took him to watch Zorro the very next night. Bruce was about to apologize to them on the way home right when they entered Crime Alley...
* ''ComicBook/{{Deathstroke}}'': In Pre-2011 continuity, the last words of Slade Wilson's oldest friend and BattleButler Wintergreen when Slade [[spoiler:who was possessed by a maddened Jericho at the time though Wintergreen didn't know that]] murdered him were [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness "well, I suppose it was only a matter of time."]] After being freed of Jericho, Slade was haunted by those words, realizing that his closest friend genuinely expected Slade to murder him someday.
* Victor Alvarez, the second Powerman after ComicBook/LukeCage gave up the name, has this in his origin story. Victor's parents were getting ready to divorce, and Victor was upset that his dad wasn't trying harder to make the marriage work. Victor accused his father of not being strong enough to fight for his own family. When Victor saw how much his words hurt his dad, he immediately tried to apologize... and that's when the bombs Bullseye set in Hell's Kitchen exploded. Victor survived [[spoiler:by somehow absorbing chi from the other victims, including one of Iron Fist's students]] but he could never forget his dad's wounded expression.
* ''ComicBook/ThePunisherMAX'' series (which puts a lot more emphasis on the Punisher's broken mental state than most incarnations) reveals that Frank Castle's last words to his wife were [[spoiler:"I'm leaving..."]]. The guilt of those parting words is partially why Castle launched his crusade, rather than just pure revenge; he wants to punish himself most of all.
* Inverted in ''ComicBook/{{Runaways}}'' with Gertrude Yorkes' death. Chase Stein was about to be sacrificed to the Gibborim by Geoffrey Wilder when Gert showed up and bluntly informed Wilder that Chase was a selfish, cheating bastard whose death was unlikely to earn Wilder any points with the Gibborim. So Wilder killed Gert instead, and Chase was left wondering if Gert truly meant what she'd said.
* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': In [[ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManJMichaelStraczynski J. Michael Straczynski's Spider-Man run]], during the course of Peter and May's talk after May discovers that he is Spider-Man, May tells him that the night his Uncle Ben was killed, she and he had been fighting - not over anything major, just one of any number of small, inconsequential disagreements that happen over the course of a long marriage, and nothing they weren't going to easily make up over. But Ben had stepped outside to clear his head... and the reconciliation would never happen. Peter, she explains, isn't the only one who's been carrying guilt since that fateful night.
* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'':
** Invoked in ''ComicBook/TheComingOfAtlas''. While she is watching Superman being savagely beaten down by Atlas, Lois Lane fears that her husband will die, and her last conversation with him will be a stupid argument over breakfast.
** ''ComicBook/TheStrangeRevengeOfLenaLuthor'': When she believes ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} has been killed off, Lena feels regret for their previous argument where she berated Kara and declared she could never forgive her for keeping secrets from her.
* Gideon Wilson of the Gamma Corps in ''ComicBook/WorldWarHulk''. His son, Jim, told him he was leaving school, they had an argument, it came to blows, Jim told him he was going to New Mexico and they'd never see each other again... and days later Gideon saw a news broadcast warning that the Hulk was rampaging through New Mexico.