It Ends With Us (2024) – Movie Review (Written)
Blake Lively stars in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s hit novel, which focuses on a woman with a traumatic childhood who is trying to secure her purpose, reciprocate love, and break generational trauma.
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Plot Summary
“It Ends With Us” is split into two time periods. There is the lead character, Lily, as a teenager, when she meets her first love, Atlas, while he is homeless. Lily is dealing with the trauma of her father being abusive to her mom, and then there is the modern day. In modern times, her father has recently died, Lily is opening a flower shop, and she has just met Allysa. Also, though they have previously met, she officially meets Ryle.
Now, Lily is a bit of a flirt, but Ryle has game from being committed to not being in a relationship and using his background as a neurosurgeon mixed with diamond-cutting abs. Lily, to a point, is charmed but also takes note of Ryle’s warnings that he isn’t a relationship guy. But, in time, he finds himself wanting to be in a relationship with Lily.
However, as Ryle learns about Atlas and learns that Atlas is in Boston, where the present day is set, Lily starts to see signs of her father in Ryle and wonders, if not fears, about potentially repeating her mother’s mistake.
Noted Cast and Characters Of “It Ends With Us”
Blake Lively As Lily (Adult)
At this point in Lily’s life, she hasn’t forgiven nor forgotten what her dad did to her mom, but it isn’t at the forefront of her mind. She is focused on opening her flower shop, and that’s it. She isn’t looking or longing for love, just trying to take a shop that seemingly has seen better days and, create the vision she has had for years, and get people to see the beauty of flowers, despite the short lifespan of those that have been cut from their root.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Café Society.”
Isabela Ferrer As Lily (Teen)
Not much is known about Lily’s life as a teenager outside of her witnessing her mom’s abuse at home and her relationship with Atlas. Also, she loves plants in general, with a special focus on flowers.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Turtles All the Way Down.”
Brandon Sklenar As Atlas (Adult)
As an adult, Atlas owns a restaurant, is a veteran, and still very much has feelings for Lily despite how things ended with her as a teenager.
Alex Neustaedter As Atlas (Teen)
Homeless, mainly due to a challenging home life, Atlas’ life was going downhill fast till he saw Lily in her window, and she redirected his trajectory to a positive direction.
Jenny Slate As Allysa
Allysa is Ryle’s younger sister who, thanks to a help-wanted sign, wanders into Lily’s shop before it is even ready for customers and becomes not only her first employee but her closest, and perhaps only, friend.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Obvious Child.”
Justin Baldoni As Ryle
A neurosurgeon with the looks of a supermodel, Ryle claims to not be the relationship type when he meets Lily but realizes she is not the type you let get away.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Five Feet Apart.”
Review
Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing)
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Highlights
People Are Speaking Top-Level Game
While when and how Ryle is going to hurt Lily looms over “It Ends With Us,” admittedly if you didn’t know he would end up abusive, you would appreciate his game. Actually, in general, everyone has a gift with words from Ryle to Atlas, and Lily as well. The way they flirt with one another ranges from cute to maybe needing to fan yourself a little bit, and when it comes to Atlas, it makes you like him even more than you would strictly based on his backstory and with Ryle? Honestly, it will make you wish he had his act together.
Lily’s Fashion
I’ve never seen a full episode of “Sex and The City,” but I did watch the original “Gossip Girl,” and let me just say, the outfits they have Blake Lively in will make you look up who chose or made the clothing for this film.
Atlas & Lily’s Relationship
Ryle never really had a chance. Beyond his moments of abuse with Lily, the film also shows Lily and Atlas’ relationship as teenagers, and Isabela Ferrer and Alex Neustadter set things up for their older counterparts to knock down. Heck, I’d even say, at times, you can imagine the younger counterparts being strong enough to warrant their story being a singular focus, if not, if this was a series instead of a movie, an extended amount of time dedicated to the younger versions.
Similar to “My Brilliant Friend,” an expanded “It Ends With Us” could allow their full story to play out for a season before jumping to when Blake Lively and Brandon Sklenar take the baton.
Its Handling of Domestic Abuse
Certain topics require a careful hand and performances to execute well. Regarding domestic abuse, “It Ends With Us” does its best. It shows how it can easily become generational, despite what the younger person says they’ll never end up with, even when romanced by someone who shows all the signs. The film also shows you how someone can be so in love they let the abuser change the narrative and alter the truth just because they so badly want it to be true.
But the best thing about “It Ends With Us” is that it doesn’t humanize or push the abusers to be utter monsters or explain away why they do the things they do. Ryle may have unresolved childhood trauma, but this doesn’t mean Lily is willing to absorb each and every outburst because Ryle is a decent guy 80% of the time. Also, when it comes to Lily’s dad or even her mom, the dad might be shown to be a hard-working and beloved public servant, but he still did what he did, and in terms of Lily’s mom, grace is given.
Mind you, we don’t get to know Lily’s parents beyond her perspective and the few questions she asks her mom regarding why she stayed with her dad, but you can see the level of complication in each relationship. Especially since Lily’s dad was abusive to her mom but never laid a hand on her. But, I wouldn’t say he ever pursued being close with his daughter since the film barely shows her younger self and the dad interact in a meaningful way.
Jenny Slate as Allysa
I feel like Jenny Slate is an underrated actress. Yes, her character plays something akin to comic relief in “It Ends With Us” as she plays what could be seen as an obnoxious rich woman looking for something to do and a friend. However, the character evolves beyond that, and like any good comic relief, when things get real, Slate sets aside the clown’s makeup and wardrobe and gets serious.
In those moments, Allysa is pushed to be real, and it seems neither weird nor unfortunate that the comedic character has to act out of place. Instead, we’re reminded they are human. Yes, one who is eccentric to the point they could be seen as divisive to some, but nonetheless able to set aside their view of the world to embrace the reality of someone like Lily, even if their reality presents a dark take on people they love.
On The Fence
This Does Feel Like Two Hours
The only issue we had with “It Ends With Us” is that it seemingly wants to pack as much that is in the book as possible. This is understandable and appreciated, especially considering the book has a sequel, so a lot would need to be set up. With that said, the movie can still feel long in the tooth, and while I wouldn’t say you ever get bored, you will still wonder how much time is left?
I found this especially true whenever you get the sense Ryle is about to hurt Lily, and the film takes its time to build towards his action in a way that can feel excruciating. Granted, the goal could be to put you into Lily’s mind and find time slowing down, you feeling the need to analyze with precision, and get that out of body, “What is happening right now?” experience. But while there is a lot to praise regarding the film, I can’t say it is perfect.
Who Is This For?
Alongside fans of the book, I think those who like love stories with a level of complication beyond bad timing might appreciate what goes on in “It Ends With Us.” Yes, it can be challenging to watch at times, but the resilience shown can be a lighthouse for those who are or have gone through what Lily has and remind them that they can experience joy again, find love, and even face the person who tried to control their happiness and tell them they are taking the reins back.
General Information
Film Length
2 Hours 10 Minutes
Date Released
August 7, 2024
How To Watch “It Ends With Us”
In Theaters
Where To Watch
Distributor
Sony Pictures Releasing
Director(s)
Justin Baldoni
Writer(s)
Christy Hall
Based On Work By
Colleen Hoover
Genre(s)
Content Rating
Content Information
- Dialog: Nothing Notable
- Violence: Family Violence, Blood
- Sexual Content: Sexual Situations (Implied)
- Miscellaneous: Drinking
Why Is The Movie Named “It Ends With Us?”
It can be taken two ways; the main way is Lily ending the cycle of abuse that she and her mom have gone through. The other way to look at it is that, regarding what could be with Atlas, it ends with them. However, it is more likely the former than the latter.
Is There A Mid-Credit or Post-Credit Scene For “It Ends With Us?”
Nope
