Janelle Pantilon, Features Editor

The highly anticipated movie adaption of the novel “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover, has faced a lot of criticism since its release on August 9th, 2024. A rotten tomatoes score of 57% from the Tomatometer, representing the percentage of positive ratings from professional critics was received. Whether it was the lines, costume design or overall plot, the movie was messy.

Actress Blake Lively who stars as protagonist Lily Bloom, plays the role of a young woman who’s navigating life after moving to the big city of Boston  and opens a flower shop following the death of her estranged father. In the process she meets Ryle, played by the producer Justin Baldoni. The film follows the whirlwind of their relationship and uncovers similar patterns to the dynamic of Bloom’s parents as she recounts and  rekindles with first love and friend Atlas Corrigan.

The storyline revolves around the topic of domestic abuse and its cycle however specific advertising choices leading up to the release left an unclear and misleading  message.

Initial criticism came long before the release, starting with casting. The characters were originally  described to be young adults in their early twenties but the ages of those casted were older. Heavy disapproval laid on Lively’s role as the audience expected someone with Bloom’s infamous red hair.

And costume choices then sparked chaos after surfacing the media. While it was written in 2016 but made into a 2024 adaption, the fashion was stuck in the past, leaving viewers wanting an more updated look. Yet, the outfits did not complement each other, formed with endless colors and patterns upon patterns, earning constant hate through social media.

However, the backlash didn’t stop there, as another controversy continued. Viewers noted the glamorization of this film was not only problematic, but outwardly disrespectful towards victims of domestic abuse.

Not only was there turmoil among the fans but among the actors? During the ‘It Ends With Us’ press tour, fans began to speculate conflict between Lively and Baldoni after seeing Baldoni do his part of the press tour alone without fellow castmates and walking the premiere carpet with only his family.

People believe the issue lies right between Lively and Baldoni involving Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds’ huge involvement in the making of the movie such as writing scenes or making production decisions, possibly overstepping their boundaries. An interview hosted by Reynolds featuring Brandon Sklenar, actor of Corrigan, caused question why Reynolds is so involved if he was not a part of the production team. Lively also received heat from the media during the ‘It Ends With Us’ press tour as she’s simultaneously promoting her new haircare brand, “Blake Brown.” 

What’s angering viewers is that to them, Lively’s mannerisms and attitude towards the movie’s true message is somewhat dismissive and looks past the seriousness of the focus on domestic abuse despite love being involved.

Regardless of criticism, the passion to acknowledge domestic abuse and the effect it has on victims doesn’t go unnoticed.