Blake Lively on domestic violence

The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel, 'It Ends With Us', starring Blake Lively, has generated significant buzz and controversy due to its sensitive subject matter—domestic abuse. While Lively expresses a desire for the film to empower survivors, critics have raised concerns that the movie romanticizes domestic violence, with reviews describing it as a melodramatic rehash lacking depth and realism. The film's portrayal of Lily Bloom, who navigates a complicated love triangle with her abusive boyfriend Ryle Kincaid and her first love Atlas Corrigan, has drawn criticism for its clichéd narrative and unrealistic character decisions. Director Justin Baldoni's adaptation has been called out for its inability to handle the serious themes with the necessary gravity, leading some to compare it unfavorably to a Hallmark Channel production. Despite the mixed reception, the film aims to highlight the complexities of love and trauma, resonating with the original novel's themes of resilience and self-discovery.