Blake Lively in It Ends with Us: Exploring The Role

Colleen Hoover in twenty sixteen published the novel It Ends With Us capturing the story of its three main characters; Lily Bloom, Ryle Kincaid & Atlas Corrigan. However, Since the novel's worldwide success, the book is now capturing a new audience’s attention with the movie adaptation starring the one and only Serena van der Woodson as the lead, Blake Lively. 

Blake Lively is famously known for her “messy girl hair” and her role in Stephanie Savage & Josh Schwartz’s Gossip Girl. Lively accepted the role of Hoover’s character Lily Bloom under the pretext that she would be made producer for the film while co-star Justin Baldoni staring as Ryle Kincaid would direct. The movie debuted August 9th, 2024 in theaters worldwide and fans instantly had thoughts. 

First, It Ends With Us was a highly controversial book due to its heavy theme of domestic violence. However, The film made headlines because of Lively’s “shallow” or “out of touch” views on the film's message. During one of the many ad promotions for the film, Lively & Hoover are seen sitting together in floral clothing with Lively exclaiming “It Ends With Us is in theaters now! So grab your friends, wear your florals and head out to see it!” Social media instantly called this remark “tone deaf” saying that Lively's promo didn't have anything to do with speaking out about the films heavier theme. Due to the release of Marvel’s Deadpool And Wolverine staring Lively's husband Ryan Reynolds, many have thought that Lively wanted for a repeat of last summer's “Barbenheimer” but with It Ends With Us & Deadpool and Wolverine. This was said due to her husband's creative involvement in one of the film's pivotal scenes & his appearances with co-star Hugh Jackman at the film's premieres & promo. Because of the promotion from Lively's part, Many users commented that they weren't aware of the film's actual message and potentially triggering scenes depicting abuse. 

Secondly, It Ends With Us is Directed by Justin Baldoni who also plays Ryle Kincaid, Lily’s initial love interest. Baldoni first received mainstream attention when it seemed as if he wasn't involved in any promo or cast appearances for the film, despite his role as Director and main male lead. Baldoni has so far been the only one in the cast who seems to have been speaking out about the theme of domestic violence & attaching help hotlines and resources on domestic abuse on his social media. According to People magazine, Lively & Baldoni suffered from some “creative differences” when it came to the film. An revealed initial film poster of Baldoni's cut portrays both leads on the same cover with both names attached. The films release poster only portrays Lively in the background of florals with Baldoni's name attached in the cast list on the bottom. Baldoni has come out with a statement amidst the speculation In an interview with ELLE U.K saying; “There are all these things that happen every day on set, there’s always friction that happens when you make a movie like this," he said. "Then at the end of the day, it’s that friction, I believe, that creates the beautiful art. Everything in life needs friction to grow.” With these words it was speculated that Lively took over most of the creative control regardless of Baldoni's role as Director. 

Lively’s take on the films heavy themes have been the center controversies due to her repeated answer of “Lily Bloom being a multitude of emotions” Is Blake Lively in the wrong or is the media simply trying to jump on yet another problematic celebrity hate train? as the weeks progress we'll see if this really “Ends With Us.”

By Pooja Bhatt