Blake Lively’s New Film: A Complex Portrayal of Domestic Abuse

The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel It Ends With Us has generated significant buzz, particularly among young women and book enthusiasts. Hoover’s book, which achieved viral success on TikTok and sold 20 million copies, became a New York Times bestseller. The story is not just a romantic tale but delves into darker themes surrounding domestic abuse.

Blake Lively, best known for her role in Gossip Girl, stars as Lily Bloom, the protagonist who experiences a troubling cycle of domestic abuse. The film, directed by Justin Baldoni, portrays Lily’s journey from witnessing abuse in her childhood to encountering a similar situation as an adult. As a florist in Boston, Lily is caught in a love triangle involving her charming but abusive boyfriend, Ryle Kincaid (played by Justin Baldoni), and her caring former lover, Atlas Corrigan (portrayed by Brandon Sklenar).

At the film’s premiere, Lively spoke about the responsibility she felt to honor the novel’s devoted fanbase. She emphasized that the film aims to capture the full spectrum of emotions—ranging from fun and funny to painful and tragic—reflecting the complex nature of life. Lively, who is also a producer on the film, is proud of how the project balances emotional depth with empathy.

Despite Lively’s positive outlook, the film has faced criticism. Some reviews, such as one from The Telegraph, argue that the movie might romanticize domestic abuse by blending it with elements of glamorous romance. The review describes the film as a “queasy drama” and criticizes it for combining abuse with a glossy portrayal of courtship, suggesting that this could be misleading.

Rebecca Goshawk from the charity Solace, which supports victims of gender-based violence, shares concerns about the film’s potential impact. She stresses the importance of accurately depicting domestic abuse in media to educate viewers about healthy relationships. Goshawk worries that if the portrayal is not handled sensitively, it could unintentionally glamorize unhealthy relationships for young audiences.

On the other hand, some fans who attended the premiere feel that the film does justice to the book’s portrayal of abuse. Taylor Lopez, 19, and her friends Phoebe and Celina believe that the film effectively presents the struggles of a victim who is torn between love and the need to leave an abusive relationship. They praise the film’s depiction of Lily’s emotional journey and find Lively’s casting as a fitting choice despite some criticism about her age relative to the book’s protagonist.

Lively, who gained fame for her role as Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl, has received positive feedback from fans who think her performance captures the essence of Lily Bloom. They argue that Lively’s portrayal is both empathetic and powerful, aligning well with the character’s complex experiences.

In summary, while It Ends With Us is generating strong reactions, its portrayal of domestic abuse remains a point of contention. Critics worry about the romanticization of abuse, while supporters argue that the film sensitively addresses the complexities of such relationships. With Lively’s involvement both as an actress and a producer, the film aims to offer a nuanced and emotionally rich experience, reflecting the multifaceted nature of life and personal struggle.