It Ends With Us Movie Review: The movie It Ends With Us (2024), based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, is a drama about love, pain, and difficult choices. Directed by Justin Baldoni, the film stars Blake Lively as Lily Bloom and Justin Baldoni as Ryle Kincaid.
It tackles heavy topics like domestic violence and generational trauma. While the story is emotional, it also highlights courage and self-respect. Here’s a detailed review of the movie’s plot, acting, themes, and audience reactions.
Plot Summary: A Love Story With Dark Secrets
Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) is a young woman who moves to Boston to start her own flower shop. They fall in love quickly, but Ryle’s temper scares Lily. He often yells or breaks things during arguments, then apologizes afterward. Lily struggles to leave him because she believes he can change.
Meanwhile, Lily reconnects with Atlas (Brandon Sklenar), her first love from high school. Flashbacks show Lily’s childhood. Her father abused her mother, Ellen (Jenny Slate), which left deep scars. Atlas, who was homeless as a teen, lived in a shed behind Lily’s house. They supported each other through tough times. When Atlas reappears in Lily’s life, she feels torn between her past and present.
The story reaches a breaking point when Ryle hurts Lily during a fight. She realizes she’s repeating her mother’s cycle of abuse. Lily must decide: stay with Ryle and risk her safety, or leave and protect herself and her future.
Acting and Characters: Strong Performances
Blake Lively delivers her best performance yet as Lily. She shows Lily’s vulnerability and strength perfectly. Her scenes of fear and anger feel real. Justin Baldoni is convincing as Ryle. He makes the character charming but also scary when angry. You can see Ryle’s internal battle between love and rage.
Brandon Sklenar’s Atlas is a fan favorite. He portrays Atlas as kind and patient, making viewers root for him. Jenny Slate breaks hearts as Ellen. Her quiet suffering shows the pain of staying in an abusive marriage. Even small roles, like Lily’s outspoken friend Alyssa (Hasan Minhaj), add humor and warmth to the heavy story.
Direction and Cinematography: Simple but Effective
Justin Baldoni’s direction focuses on emotions. Close-up shots of Lily’s face capture her fear or hope. Flashbacks are shown in softer, faded colors to contrast with the bright present-day scenes. The flower shop scenes use lots of light and flowers to symbolize Lily’s dreams.
Some critics say the movie feels too much like a “book adaptation.” Scenes transition quickly, which works in novels but feels rushed on screen. For example, Lily and Ryle’s relationship moves fast. Viewers might question why Lily stays with him early on. However, the intense scenes between Lily and Ryle are filmed raw, without background music. This makes the fights feel more shocking.
Themes and Messages: Breaking the Cycle
The main theme is breaking cycles of abuse. Lily’s mother tells her, “It ends with us,” meaning Lily can stop the pattern by walking away. The movie shows how hard this decision is, especially when you love someone. It also highlights how abusers can seem loving one moment and cruel the next.
Another theme is self-respect. Lily’s flower shop represents her independence. When Ryle damages it during an argument, it mirrors how he harms her self-worth. Atlas, on the other hand, supports her dreams. The movie suggests that true love should never require sacrifice of your safety or happiness.
Emotional Impact: A Tearjerker With Hope
It Ends With Us movie is not an easy watch. Scenes of abuse are intense. Lily’s flashbacks of her father hitting her mother are upsetting. The movie doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of domestic violence. However, it balances sadness with hope. Lily’s courage to leave inspires viewers. The ending, where she holds her newborn daughter and says, “It ends here,” is powerful.
Some viewers criticize the film for being too dramatic. The arguments between Lily and Ryle are loud and frequent. Others say the story glamorizes toxic relationships. But most agree it raises awareness about abuse in a meaningful way.
Critic Reviews: Mixed Reactions
Critics praise Blake Lively’s acting and the bold storytelling. The Hollywood Reporter calls it “a brave film that doesn’t shy away from tough truths.” Variety says, “Lively and Baldoni make the complicated relationship feel painfully real.”
Negative reviews mention the rushed pacing. Important moments, like Lily reconnecting with Atlas, needed more screen time. Some feel Ryle’s character isn’t explored deeply enough. His anger issues are explained briefly, but the movie doesn’t dive into why he struggles with control.
Audience Reactions: Emotional and Divisive
Fans of the book are mostly happy with the adaptation. They love the casting and emotional scenes. Many share on social media that the movie made them cry or hug their loved ones.
Some viewers are upset the film didn’t include certain book scenes, like Lily’s letters to Ellen. Others wanted more focus on Atlas’s backstory. A few found the abuse scenes too triggering. However, most agree it’s a must-watch for its important message.
Conclusion: It Ends With Us Movie Review
It Ends With Us is a powerful film with standout performances. It handles sensitive topics with care, urging viewers to recognize toxic relationships and prioritize self-love. While the pacing and some character arcs could be better, the movie’s message stays with you long after the credits roll.
Blake Lively proves she’s more than a rom-com star. Justin Baldoni balances charm and menace perfectly. The film isn’t perfect, but it’s a conversation starter about abuse and healing. Whether you read the book or not, this movie will make you think—and maybe shed a few tears.
FAQs About It Ends With Us
1. Where can I watch it?
It’s in theaters now. It will likely stream on Netflix or Amazon Prime later this year.
2. Does the movie romanticize abuse?
No. It shows abuse as painful and unromantic. Lily’s struggle to leave is portrayed as difficult but necessary.
3. Who should avoid this movie?
Survivors of domestic abuse might find it triggering. The scenes are realistic and intense.
4. Is there a sequel planned?
Yes! A sequel, It Starts With Us (based on Hoover’s follow-up book), is in early talks. It would focus on Lily and Atlas’s future.
5. How long is the movie?
The runtime is 2 hours and 5 minutes.