If there’s one thing we relish more than a glorious movie, it’s a glorious movie with a juicy backstory. Enter the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s lackluster yet bestselling novel It Ends With Us, starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni (who’s juggling roles as actor and director). As anticipation builds, fans are buzzing with speculation about the film’s promotional antics.
Social media detectives have pointed out something fishy: most of the cast members, including Lively, have unfollowed Baldoni on Instagram and dodged press questions about him. What’s cooking behind the walls?
Also, the actress’ choice to pair her film’s promotion with Ryan Reynolds’ high-profile Deadpool & Wolverine has led some fans to accuse Lively of riding the coattails of the Barbie trend to boost her own movie’s visibility.
In a recent BBC interview, Lively seems to have addressed these swirling rumors, aiming to shift the narrative and highlight a stronger, more empowering message about overcoming domestic abuse.
What It Ends With Us Means for ‘Victims’: Insights from Blake Lively
When it comes to Hollywood drama, it seems like there’s a new beef sizzling on the grill every week. The latest tidbit? Blake Lively’s supposed feud with her It Ends With Us co-star, Justin Baldoni.
The promotional campaign—highlighted by Lively’s seemingly lighthearted interviews—has been criticized as “tone deaf” and “shallow” by some fans (see Daily Mail). But the actress, in a bid to clear the air, has come forward to explain her approach and reaffirm her commitment to the film’s core message.
In a heartfelt statement shared on her Instagram Story, she acknowledged the criticism but defended her approach. The mother of four also dropped a link to a BBC interview where she pulled back the curtain on how the film addresses domestic violence, giving viewers a peek at its serious themes.
It Ends With Us is a story of the female experience. All the highest highs, and lowest lows. And we are so proud of it.
She said, underscoring her belief that It Ends With Us is a significant portrayal of the female experience. The film portrays Lively as Lily Bloom—a woman trapped in an abusive relationship with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid.
Despite its heavy theme, the film’s early promotional push leaned heavily into its romantic side, which led to some critics dismissing it as superficial. Lively further emphasized the character’s strength and self-definition:
This movie covers domestic violence, but what’s important about this film is that she is not just a survivor and she’s not just a victim. And while those are huge things to be, they’re not her identity.
Moreover, Lively shared a powerful message alongside a public service announcement on violence against women. She accentuated it with a link to the National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1 in 4 women aged 18 and older in the US alone have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Lively’s subsequent post and statement aim to steer the conversation back to the film’s serious themes.
What’s Behind the Justin Baldoni & Blake Lively Feud Rumors?
Sony Pictures’ latest cinematic gem, It Ends With Us, has not only captured hearts but has also made headlines for all the right—and wrong—reasons. The film has already amassed a whopping $86 million worldwide on a $25 million budget (The Numbers). The box office bonanza proves that, sometimes, the best marketing strategy is a cocktail of behind-the-scenes drama, star power, and a touch of celebrity pizzazz.
The film’s tale of love gone awry, featuring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, is as engaging as it is provocative. Rumors of a rift between these actors have stirred the pot, making fans wonder if their on-screen chemistry was a mere façade for a simmering off-screen feud.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Ryan Reynolds, who’s become something of a cinematic Swiss Army knife, has somehow shaken things up as well. At the New York City premiere on August 6, Lively let slip that her husband penned the memorable rooftop scene between Lily and Ryle (see E! News). To quote the actress:
He works on everything I do. I work on everything he does.
Yet, Reynolds’ involvement hasn’t been without its fair share of shadows. Screenwriter and co-producer Christy Hall admitted she was caught off guard by Reynolds’ script alterations (via SheKnows).
The plot thickens further with rumors of creative disagreements between Lively and Baldoni leading to two distinct cuts of the film (see The Hollywood Reporter).
Well, as audiences dive into the film’s emotional journey, they’re also treated to backstage drama, proving Hollywood is as much about off-screen intrigue as it is about on-screen stories!
It Ends with Us is currently running in theaters.
