MOVIE REVIEW
It Ends With Us


by Anwaya Mane
Cast: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Brandon Sklenar, Jenny Slate // Screenplay by: Christy Hall // Directed by: Justin Baldoni
The trouble with the Blake Lively/Justin Baldoni romantic-horror drama film (an adaptation of the eponymous Colleen Hoover book) is that very little sticks.
While watching the film for the second time last week, it was hard to separate my thoughts from the ongoing Blake Lively/Justin Baldoni lawsuit drama. Adapted from Colleen Hoover's 2016 bestselling novel, It Ends With Us tells the story of Lily Blossom Bloom (Lively), an aspiring florist and entrepreneur who, after an uncomfortable experience at her father's prayer meet, crosses paths with the charming and handsome neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni) on the rooftop of his apartment building.
Lily, still reeling from a whirlwind of emotions, feels an immediate attraction to Ryle. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and after some light flirting, they part ways, each knowing their paths will cross again—just like in the movies. True to form, they meet again a few months later at Lily's flower shop, a dream she’s worked hard to build. After a series of ups and downs, they begin a relationship. However, Lily can’t shake the memory of her first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), whom she had mentioned to Ryle during their first rooftop encounter.

The film shifts significantly between Lily's teenage years, portrayed by the brilliantly cast Isabela Ferrer, and her adult life. We see her strained and troubled relationship with her abusive father, her confusion over why her mother endures such violence, and the solace she found in her first love, Atlas. By chance, Lily reunites with Atlas at his restaurant, Root, where she realizes she still feels the same peace and comfort around him as she did when they were young.
As the story progresses, the darker side of Lily and Ryle’s seemingly perfect romance unfolds. Lily comes to terms with the truth: her relationship with Ryle is far from the fairytale it initially seemed. After narrowly escaping a horrific attempt at rape by Ryle, who accuses her of cheating with Atlas, Lily summons the courage to break free. She revisits the abuse and manipulation she endured, realizing how Ryle had gaslighted her into believing that his violent behavior was just an accident. As she confronts her demons, Lily must decide what kind of future she wants for herself.
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni deliver standout performances. Lively infuses her character with her signature humor in the lighter moments, while Baldoni portrays Ryle as a man who is both charming and unsettling, carrying his own hidden trauma. Brandon Sklenar also shines as Atlas, portraying him as kind and supportive—the complete opposite of Ryle.

The film has several interesting details, especially for those who watch it a second time. Lily’s true love is named Atlas—an apt choice, given that an atlas is a collection of maps, and 'atlas' in anatomy refers to the topmost vertebra, symbolizing strength and support. In many ways, it is Atlas who helps Lily find her way after she escapes her abusive relationship, guiding her back to stability and security. Atlas also runs a restaurant named Root, symbolizing the origin of growth and renewal, mirroring the role Lily has played in his life.
The film also touches on generational trauma, highlighting Lily's relationship with her mother, Jenny, who stayed in an abusive marriage for years. Through Lily’s journey, the film suggests a cycle of abuse, where Lily breaks free to protect her own daughter, while also showing empathy toward her mother, who perhaps was unable to leave due to the emotional and societal pressures she faced.
Ultimately, It Ends With Us has noble intentions, attempting to address intimate partner violence, abuse, sexual assault, gaslighting, and generational trauma. However, the film fails to delve deeply enough into these issues, offering only a surface-level portrayal of the true horrors that survivors endure. Instead of being a raw exploration of abuse, the movie disguises itself as a romantic drama, undermining the very survivors it aims to advocate for.

It feels as if the filmmakers were hesitant to explore the dark realities too deeply, perhaps out of concern for alienating the younger audience that might be drawn in by the appealing pairing of Lively and Baldoni.
Interestingly, on December 20, Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and claiming he orchestrated a public smear campaign against her—a situation that echoes the power dynamics in the film. As the legal drama continues to unfold, it’s impossible not to see the parallel between Lively's real-life situation and her portrayal of Lily—a woman breaking free from a toxic, controlling relationship and taking charge of her own narrative.
In this sense, both Lively and Lily are two peas in the same pod, or two petals on the same flower, setting an example for their respective daughters and showing them that, like the flower in the story, it’s possible to bloom after surviving trauma. In a way, Lively's very serious lawsuit against co-star Baldoni reflects what I had hoped the film would be.
It Ends With Us is now streaming on Netflix.
