Regret: Did this detail of the movie adapted from Colin Hoover’s book intrigue you? We will explain!

Josh Boone’s adaptation of Colin Hoover’s novel (Never Again), Regretting You, is currently in theaters.

Starring Allison Williams, McKenna Grace, Mason Thames, Dave Franco, Scott Eastwood, Willa Fitzgerald and Clancy Brown, the feature film follows the journey of Morgan and his daughter Clara. After the death, the fragile balance between mother and daughter will be disturbed. The two women learn to understand each other and rebuild themselves through new love stories.

Here we discuss the issue discussed at the end of the novel and the film. Therefore, the rest of this article contains spoilers.

At the end of Colin Hoover’s piece, Miller’s grandfather (played onscreen by Clancy Brown) leaves behind something unusual: air rights (“Air rights“in English).”I have a small block of air above Union Square Park. Last time I checked, it was worth over a million dollars.” He announces to his grandson in the novel. A legacy that leaves Miller and the audience confused…

Throughout the film/book, the grandfather tells the young man that he will give him some space. Miller thinks it’s just a joke. In fact, although not a tangible asset such as a house or land, air rights are specific property rights relating to the space above the ground.

What are air rights?

Air rights refer to the legal ability to use, sell or develop the space above real property. In other words, when you own land, you don’t just own the surface of the land: you also own, to some extent, the “air volume” above it.

This legal concept is based on an ancient principle of property law: “Cuius est solum, eius est usque ad coelum et ad inferos”In other words: “He who owns the earth also owns the sky and the underworld.”

But in modern practice, states have limited this right to the “sky” (especially due to air traffic). However, the owner retains partial control over the airspace immediately above his land.

What are air rights for?

Air rights are especially important in cities where land space is scarce and expensive, such as New York, London or Tokyo.

For example, they make it possible to build higher than what is normally allowed by regulations, by buying the air rights of a neighboring building, selling those rights to another developer who wants to build or even preserve the air space on the site (for example, a park or historic building) to prevent future construction. Air rights have an economic value independent of land.

A symbol of surrender and freedom in the film/book

In the novel, when Miller’s grandfather bequeaths him the air rights, it’s not just a technical detail: it’s a powerful symbol. It is a heritage that is not limited to the land, but literally opens to the future. Contrary to what he thought, Miller is not stuck in his small town needing to take care of his grandfather. He will be able to realize his dream by enrolling in film school with Clara and be free.

I regret you It’s currently in theaters.