Film Review – It Ends with Us

August 8th, 2024 | POSTED BY Sarah Ksiazek

Trigger Warnings- this film depicts physical and mental abuse as well as sexual assault.

Based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling book of the same name, It Ends with Us (2024) enters the theaters as faithful fans of Hoover’s decide if it is a worthy and faithful adaptation.  If the screening I attended is any indication, the opening weekend will be filled with women clamoring to see their favorite characters brought to life by other people’s versions.  Alas, I cannot comment on how well it translates the source material as I have not read the book.  Googling Colleen Hoover’s name leads to the generalization that she is a romance and young adult fiction writer, which is not exactly up my alley anymore. 

It Ends with Us follows Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) as she inhabits Boston and opens her dream of a high-end flower shop, Lily Bloom’s. Confused and in turmoil, but not necessarily mourning her father’s death (played in flashbacks by Kevin McKidd), she meets Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni—also the film’s director) on his less-than-secure apartment building’s rooftop. What ensues is a relationship that builds on lust, teasing, flirtatious remarks, and being enamored with each other, which is not necessarily the best way to start a great relationship. Ryle’s sister, Alyssa (Jenny Slate), happens to talk herself into a job at Lily Bloom’s and becomes Lily’s best friend. There is also the re-introduction of Lily’s first teenage love, Atlas (Brandon Sklenar), who becomes the protective boy-in-waiting.  The backstory to Atlas and Lily’s relationship is another portion of the film.

There are heavy themes to It Ends with Us. It is not just a love triangle in a pretty flower shop. The flashbacks to her teen years reveal that her father was abusive to her mother (the older version played by Amy Morton) and the ways his abusive tendencies created havoc in Lily’s life.  When Ryle enters Lily’s life, there are warning signs that he may too have anger issues, but the constant love bombing tends to overshadow Ryle’s negatives for Lily, even with Alyssa’s warnings.  How these instances of abuse are depicted is careful and thoughtful, especially concerning Ryle and Lily’s relationship.  How director Justin Baldoni framed the depictions came full circle at the film’s end; he is careful enough to allow the audience to experience these aggressive instances through Lily and Ryle’s view and packs a wallop when the audience sees it in an unbiased version of what actually occurred. Even with Lily’s effort to protect herself and not repeat history, she somehow falls victim to it.

There is a heavy focus on Blake Lively in the film, not just because she is the main character and the camera loves her, but because there is an overabundance of lingering shots of Lively and her somehow heavenly strawberry blonde wig.  It begs the question if Lily is as much an effortless fashionista with a penchant and a budget for Louboutins.  I could probably stare at Lively all day as Lily, but it didn’t do much for the film’s plot or moving along the story.  Along with an effortless look, Lily also appears not to have any problem with budgeting.  Is it nit-picking? It is not central to the story, but it did pop into my head how she affords everything a few times.

If it had not been for the actors and the film’s direction, It Ends with Us would have been a high-end Lifetime film.  The story, while thoughtful, has its fair share of what you see in many romance films: love triangles, falling for the guy with the questionable past, cringey lines, and leading with your heart and not your head.  However, the film should be appreciated for addressing domestic abuse and reiterating the strong woman theme.  Jenny Slate’s character is the best thing in the film, the comedic relief, and has one of the most impactful lines.  I went into it not expecting to be impressed by any means, but the film has the potential to resonate with its intended audience, and I have to admit that it touched my heart at moments.  It is probably not the best film to debut this month, but it might be worth the ticket price to bring along your gaggle of girlfriends for a night with It Ends with Us.

Amy Morton, Blake Lively, Brandon Sklenar, Colleen Hoover, It Ends with Us, Jenny Slate, Justin Baldoni, Kevin McKidd, Sony Pictures