After its New York premiere on Tuesday, It Ends With Us has received a range of reactions from critics, with reviews being quite mixed. Directed by Justin Baldoni, the film adapts Colleen Hoover’s 2016 bestseller, centering on Lily (Blake Lively) as she navigates life after a challenging upbringing.
Her romance with neurosurgeon Ryle (Baldoni) turns troubling as it mirrors the abusive relationship of her parents, while the reappearance of her old flame, Atlas (Brandon Sklenar), adds further complications.
Critics have voiced concerns that the film’s depiction of domestic violence might risk romanticizing the subject. However, many agree that the adaptation handles the sensitive issue thoughtfully, even if the storyline lacks depth.
As of Wednesday, It Ends With Us held a 60 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 44 reviews and a 52 percent score on Metacritic from 21 reviews. The movie, distributed by Sony Pictures and set to hit theaters on Friday, also stars Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Isabela Ferrer, and Alex Neustaedter.
Various critics have shared their perspectives: The Hollywood Reporter’s Lovia Gyarkye noted that the film’s simplistic approach to its characters undermines its more profound themes. Benjamin Lee from The Guardian acknowledged the plot’s reliance on clichés but appreciated its more nuanced portrayal of abuse.
The Washington Post’s Amy Nicholson highlighted Blake Lively’s compelling performance within a glossy love triangle. Meanwhile, Mark Kennedy from the Associated Press criticized the film for straying into melodrama, and Stephanie Zacharek from Time felt that, despite an accurate depiction of abuse, the film struggles to truly connect on an emotional level. IndieWire’s Proma Khosla and Rolling Stone’s Esther Zuckerman echoed these sentiments, noting the film’s mix of sensitivity and melodrama, with varying degrees of success.