‘It Ends with Us’ Review: Blake Lively's riveting and raw performance would have Deadpool applauding
Contains mild spoilers for ‘It Ends With Us’
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS: ‘It Ends with Us,’ directed by Justin Baldoni and starring Blake Lively, is a film that combines the allure of a glossy romance with the harsh realities of emotional and physical abuse. Adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, this romantic drama is at once beautiful, unsettling, and profoundly moving, though it occasionally stumbles under the weight of its ambitions.
‘It Ends with Us’ follows Lily Blossom Bloom (Lively), a woman with a passion for gardening and a past filled with pain. With a name straight out of a fairy tale, Lily seems to be living the life of a modern influencer— effortlessly chic, deeply introspective, and hardy. Yet, under all the sun-kissed visuals and lush cinematography lies a story of tough choices, toxic relationships, and the hard-won road to self-acceptance.
Blake Lively nails it as Lily, but her romance with Brandon Sklenar leaves us wanting more
‘It Ends with Us’ opens with Lily relocating to Boston, where she dreams of opening her own floral shop. It’s here that she meets Ryle Kincaid (played by Baldoni), a neurosurgeon with the looks of a Calvin Klein model and the charm to match. Their romance blooms quickly, but not without warning signs, more like red flags — Ryle doesn't make much efforts to hide his dark, creepy side, which soon turns Lily’s seemingly picture-perfect life upside down. As she struggles with her confusing, yet growing feelings for Ryle, Lily also reconnects with her first love, Atlas (Brandon Sklenar), pushing her to confront her not-so-sweet past.
Blake Lively absolutely nails it as Lily, who captures the push-and-pull of loving someone who's toxic for you, and the struggle to break free. The silence in some scenes is deafening, and Lively's expressions speak volumes. Her chemistry with Justin Baldoni is undeniable, but I couldn't help feeling like the relationship between Lily and Atlas was a bit short-changed. I craved more of their story, more of their heartache, something that left me so invested, even when the credits rolled.
Justin Baldoni takes a risk that works quite well for ‘It Ends with Us’
Coming to the direction, Baldoni's work in ‘It Ends with Us’ is undeniably stylish, but it's a double-edged sword. On one hand, the film's visuals are stunning – think upscale lifestyle ads come to life. On the other hand, this relentless need for perfection sometimes side lines the story's emotional grit. Lily's character arc, with all its messy complex plotlines, gets slightly lost in the shiny aesthetics. It's like watching a superficially curated Instagram feed, only to realize you're not really seeing the real story.
Despite its flaws, ‘It Ends with Us’ delivers a raw and honest look at abusive relationships, showing how they can destroy a person's sense of self. The best part about the film? It doesn't shy away from the dark side of love, revealing how control and fear can break even the most beautiful connections.
Despite its flaws, ‘It Ends with Us’ is worth the watch
While melodrama and clichés creep in, Christy Hall's sharp writing keeps the story grounded. Those flashbacks to Lily's past? They add depth, even if they sometimes disrupt the flow of the story. We see the roots of her vulnerabilities, making her character feel more relatable.
However, the most remarkable thing about ‘It Ends with Us’ is its ability to tug at your heartstrings. The message is clear: ending the cycle of violence requires strength and support. ‘It Ends with Us’ gets a bit sentimental towards the end, but the impact is long-lasting. While it may not be perfect, it is a bold and moving story that is well worth the watch.
‘It Ends with Us’ is available in theaters near you from August 9
