It Ends with Us (2024)

The Romantic Journey That Uncovers the Dark Side of Love

Director: Justin Baldoni
Starring: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Amy Morton, Brandon Sklenar
Based on the best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover

About the Film

It Ends With Us (2024) is an emotionally charged drama that begins as a passionate rom-com and gradually unfolds into a poignant cautionary tale about the complexities of love, generational trauma, and toxic relationships. Directed by Justin Baldoni, the film adapts Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel and dives deep into the realities of domestic abuse, shedding light on how love can sometimes morph into something darker.

Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), a young woman with a painful past, finds herself drawn to the charming neurosurgeon, Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni), after a chance encounter atop a Boston rooftop. What begins as an idyllic romance quickly spirals when an old flame, Atlas (Brandon Sklenar), reappears, challenging the seemingly perfect relationship between Lily and Ryle.

Set against the backdrop of Lily’s journey from trauma to self-realization, It Ends With Us explores the delicate balance between love and self-respect. The film addresses the cyclical nature of abuse and its profound effects, demonstrating how seemingly accidental moments of aggression can escalate and become a dangerous pattern.

Plot Overview

The story begins with Lily returning to her hometown of Plethora, Maine, for her father’s funeral. Despite the loss, Lily remains emotionally distant, struggling to process her feelings about her father’s legacy. It is during this time that she meets Ryle, a charismatic neurosurgeon who’s dealing with his own emotional pain after losing a patient. Their instant connection ignites a whirlwind romance, but Lily’s past is never too far behind.

Through flashbacks, we learn about Lily’s teenage years, marked by an abusive father and her bond with Atlas, a kind-hearted homeless teen. The film seamlessly weaves together past and present, showing how Lily’s traumatic upbringing influences her decisions and her relationship with Ryle. As their romance intensifies, Lily begins to question whether she can break free from the shadows of her past.

The film doesn’t shy away from the tough conversations about domestic violence. Through a slow and deliberate narrative, It Ends With Us exposes the insidious nature of abuse, how it often begins subtly and escalates over time, catching the victim in a web of fear, guilt, and confusion.

A Cautionary Tale of Love and Abuse

What sets It Ends With Us apart from other romantic films is its unflinching portrayal of an abusive relationship. As Lily and Ryle’s love story develops, Baldoni allows the tension to build gradually, using cinematography and pacing to draw the audience into Lily’s emotional turmoil. Close-ups of Lily (Blake Lively) and Ryle (Justin Baldoni) in the film’s early flirtation scenes convey the intensity of their chemistry, while later moments of conflict reveal the growing darkness in their relationship.

The film’s realism is grounded in Lively’s powerhouse performance, which delicately balances fear, hurt, and trauma. The emotional depth of her character is brought to life through her interactions with Ryle, whose charm eventually gives way to unsettling jealousy and aggression. It Ends With Us is a story about navigating the complexities of love, power, and survival.

The Cast

• Blake Lively as Lily Bloom
• Justin Baldoni as Ryle Kincaid
• Jenny Slate as Allysa
• Hasan Minhaj as Marshall
• Amy Morton as Jenny (Lily’s mother)
• Brandon Sklenar as Atlas (adult)
• Isabela Ferrer as young Lily
• Alex Neustaedter as young Atlas

The ensemble cast brings this heart-wrenching story to life, with Blake Lively’s portrayal of Lily at the heart of the film’s emotional impact. Justin Baldoni’s direction guides the cast through both tender and tense moments, ensuring each character’s arc adds layers to this multifaceted narrative.

Themes & Takeaways

It Ends With Us is not just a romantic drama—it’s a powerful commentary on love, loss, and the lasting effects of generational trauma. As Lily’s story unfolds, the film challenges audiences to reflect on the dynamics of healthy relationships, the importance of boundaries, and the courage it takes to break free from toxic cycles.

This is a film that speaks to the reality that love does not always mean happiness. It asks difficult questions about how far one should go for love, and what sacrifices are worth making for the sake of one’s own well-being.

Music & Soundtrack

The soundtrack of It Ends With Us is integral to its emotional storytelling. Featuring poignant tracks like Birdie’s cover of Skinny Love, Taylor Swift’s My Tears Ricochet, and Fatboy Slim’s Praise You, the music underscores the film’s shifting moods—from romance to heartbreak and everything in between. The carefully chosen songs help to set the tone and draw viewers deeper into the characters’ emotional journeys.

Production Details

• Production Companies: Wayfarer Studios, Sony Pictures Television, Saks Picture Company
• Worldwide Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing
• Producers: Alex Saks, Jamey Heath, Blake Lively, Christy Hall
• Screenplay: Christy Hall
• Cinematography: Barry Peterson
• Music: Duncan Blickenstaff, Rob Simonsen
• Editing: Oona Flaherty, Robb Sullivan

Release & Reception

It Ends With Us premiered in U.S. and U.K. theaters on August 9, 2024, and has already garnered a devoted following from fans of Colleen Hoover’s novel. The film’s emotionally charged themes and compelling performances are expected to resonate with both younger audiences familiar with Hoover’s work and older viewers drawn to romantic dramas. The movie will likely enjoy a strong post-theatrical life through video-on-demand platforms.