Devastating. Inspiring. Unforgettable. 

“It Ends with Us” was released on Aug 9, 2024. This movie, based on the book of the same name by Colleen Hoover, was the first that I have seen in a while which I actually enjoyed. The director, Justin Baldoni, did a fantastic job shining light on the important topic of domestic violence while also creating an optimistic and heartwarming movie. 

The movie tells the story of Lily Bloom, played by actress Blake Lively, going back and forth between her childhood and adulthood. While it does not go into as much detail as the book and leaves out parts of the story that were highly developed in the book, the movie does a great job hitting on the key themes. 

One aspect that the movie beautifully brought to life was Lily’s relationship with Ryle, her husband, played by director Baldoni. At the same time, Baldoni showcased the deep bond between Lily and Atlas, young Lily’s boyfriend, played by Brandon Skelnar. Overall, this excellent movie made me feel the complex emotions drawn out by Lily’s experiences, which is why I enjoyed it so much. 

I thought this movie was powerful because each scene had a purpose that linked to the overall themes in the movie: domestic violence, family, love, self-determination, and bravery. These themes, which were beautifully intertwined throughout the movie, added to the characters’ complexity and helped viewers see more than just a simple love story.

One scene that I thought did a fantastic job of creating a lot of emotion and bringing out these themes was when Lily asked Ryle for a divorce. The scene was part of an amazing ending to “It Ends with Us” because it left the viewer with a sense of sadness, yet also empowerment. Initially, you can truly see Lively’s dedication to bringing Lily to life, and her character’s defiance when she asks for a divorce may be inspiring to other women in similar situations. 

Ryle’s reaction, which Baldoni nailed, was a tearjerker. He did a remarkable job portraying the raw emotions involved with being accountable for his actions and, ultimately, agreeing to a divorce. 

Overall, it is the actor’s ability to bring out intense emotions within this story that makes the movie so good. Scenes full of light and joy are paired with scenes filled with darkness and sadness, which establish the many themes of this complex movie. I highly recommend you go see this movie. If you do, prepare to feel a wide range of intense emotions. 

4/5 paws