Verdict: 3.5/5
After much anticipation, Colleen Hoover’s iconic novel It Ends With Us has finally received its film adaptation, starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, and I must say, it’s better than I expected.
Despite what promotion around the movie may lead you to believe, ‘It Ends With Us’ is not a rom com, but rather a graphic and mind-twisting depiction of domestic violence and abuse in a multitude of forms.
The film tells the story of Lily Bloom (Lively) who, shortly after beginning a romantic relationship with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni), begins to see a dangerous side to him, reminiscent of the dynamic between her own parents which led to trauma in her adolescence.
I will admit, I haven’t read the book due to a personal aversion to Colleen Hoover’s writing style, so I can’t speak to the accuracy or quality of the film as an adaptation.
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As a stand-alone film, however, I think it was quite good.
In addition to starring in the film, Baldoni also directed it, and I think he did a phenomenal job.
The way that domestic abuse is pictured, coupled with the way he’s been speaking about the film in the press following its release, shows that ‘It Ends With Us’ was made with a high level of care and respect for victims and survivors.
It also allows for viewers to step into Lily’s shoes, answering the common question of, “Why did you stay?” through changing perspectives and unique editing.
Whilst the film isn’t necessarily Oscar-worthy, and I wouldn’t say it’s for everyone given its subject matter, ‘It Ends With Us’ is an interesting and emotional watch that I would recommend regardless of your thoughts on the book.
See this movie at Hoyts Penrith.
Cassidy Pearce
Cassidy Pearce is a news and entertainment journalist with The Western Weekender. A graduate of the University of Technology Sydney, she has previously worked with Good Morning Macarthur and joined the Weekender in 2022.