User reviews

In a few words: great message, stunning visuals, and impressive videography. However, the plot feels one-dimensional, as does the character of Lily, who lacks the depth needed to make her truly relatable or memorable. Sure, we're shown her trauma and backstory, but it doesn't fully draw you in or create a genuine emotional connection. It feels like there's a disconnect, as if her struggles are presented more as a narrative requirement than as a lived experience, making it hard to truly immerse yourself in her journey.

The narrative structure also falls flat at times, creating a sense of frustration as it hints at greater potential that it never fully explores.

Another actress should have been casted as Lily. A costume director was required to style Lily. Ryle was great. Lily's mother needed more space in the movie, as well as the story between young Lily and Atlas. Should have inserted more content from the book and presented the characters as the book. Lastly, should have been marketed properly. The story is about domestic violence, and viewers should have been informed as such. Some viewers were surprised during the movie and not in a good way. I want to see the director's version of the movie, since we were shown the producer's version. I hope they release it.

I normally don't take to reading IMDb reviews and when I do I rarely agree with them, with that being said I wholeheartedly agree with every review that is giving the film the same score as I am if not a tad bit lower. Having grown up in an abusive household, the film did hit pretty close to home. Ryle Kincaid (Jason Baldoni) gave a stellar performance which genuinely encapsulates how unpredictable an abuser can be and how manipulative an abuser can be in a dv (domestic violence) relationship. With that being said that's where the entire score for my review comes from; baldoni's performance and direction.

Blake Lively (Lily Bloom) went ahead and gave us basically nothing. There were moments during her performance I thought she had something, and then she lost it as simple as that. It felt like we as the audience were there more so for her outfits and hair than we were for her performance. Reading up on articles that state people have noticed two different films mixed into one, I couldn't help but agree with that. Baldoni's direction was centered around portraying an accurate picture of dv, and actually showing us the viewers this depiction, whereas Blake's version of the movie (as per sources) comes in through her one dimensional performance, weird placement of music in scenes that didn't require the music and if they did the music was just off and again showing us her outfits and luscious hair.

I sincerely hope that if there is a baldoni cut of this film that it gets the light of day as the film I watched just didn't quite do it for me.

This film was good but my god it could have been so much better, the messy hair weird clothes & style is a total miss for me the casting of Lilly in no way portrayed the book and really let down what could have been a an amazing movie such a shame. Justine plays a fantastic part with passion and young Lilly is absolutely outstanding she is everything I wanted her to be.

Since the movie the press tour has really missed the message that should have been driven from this book this is a topic that has touched the lives of so many women and the light hearted buy this nail polish wear your florals is very disrespectful and at times hurtful to survivors & victims it's 2024 come on do better.

Been waiting for the movie ever since the trailer came out. Also Have been reading a lot on the internet, how people, specifically the book readers, not liking the cast selection as they are older than what you could perceive from the book.

After watching the movie i feel completely opposite. I think the cast was selected perfectly from movie point of view. Blake has done an amazing job and so did the others. The characters were imperfectly perfect. The songs in the movie made the moments more enjoyable. Overall it was amazing, a complete emotional ride. I thoroughly enjoyed it (there wasn't a single dull moment).

Totally recommended.

Justin Baldoni did an incredible job as Ryle Kincaid, I had never seen any of his acting roles before and I was blown away. He really aligned well with the character from the book! His portrayal of Ryle was incredibly balanced, you loved him at times, you were shocked by him at times.

That said the fashion in this movie was very distracting, I love Carhartt as much as the next person, but it was beginning to feel like a paid sponsorship! It's been said that Ryan Reynolds always plays Ryan Reynolds in his films, so it was of no surprise that he wrote the roof top scene because it felt very much like Blake Lively playing Blake Lively.

All in all, very comparable to the book!

It's a slow-paced romantic drama. The story was fine but not much happend. As the movie went by; I was kind of thinking «where is this going?» I found a lot of the plot to be driven forward by coincidences which I dont think is a quality sign.

On the plus side, I didnt find the movie boring. It was emotionally engaging, sometimes more succesfull than other times. A lot of the characters were likeable with clear flaws and strengths. The movie was visually pleasing.

I think the movie was well made but the phasing and the story will not be everyone's cup of tea. It relies heavily the characters and less on the bigger picture.

"It Ends With Us," the first Colleen Hoover novel to be adapted for the big screen, tells the poignant and deeply emotional story of Lily Bloom. A woman who has managed to overcome a traumatic childhood and is now chasing her dreams in Boston, including opening her own business. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she meets Ryle Kincaid, a charming neurosurgeon. Their intense connection quickly blossoms into a passionate relationship. However, as Lily delves deeper into her relationship with Ryle, she begins to see troubling similarities to her parents' tumultuous relationship. The plot thickens when Lily's first love, Atlas Corrigan, reenters her life, forcing her to make challenging decisions about her future and her own strength.

As a film reviewer who has not read the source material due to a personal vendetta against the author, I took it upon myself to evaluate the film on its own merits. So, if you're expecting a comparison to the book, you won't find that here. This review is purely based on the film itself and my personal impressions. Any remarks saying "the book is better" won't resonate with me.

The film has three standout aspects: Blake Lively's performance, the soundtrack, and the cinematography. Firstly, Blake Lively's portrayal of Lily Bloom is commendable. She brings a sense of authenticity and depth to the character that is both endearing and convincing. Lively manages to capture the nuances of a woman who has endured trauma and abuse without resorting to melodrama. Her subtle expressions and mannerisms effectively convey Lily's complex emotional landscape, making her performance the film's strongest suit. Without resorting to melodrama, Lively's portrayal feels both raw and genuine, which is crucial for a character with such a disturbing background.

Secondly, the soundtrack is a significant highlight. Featuring songs by Lana Del Rey and Ethel Cain, the music adds a layer of emotional depth to the narrative. The soundtrack is so compelling that it occasionally overshadows the dialogue, but this is a forgivable flaw. In many instances, the music is more engaging than the actual conversations between characters, it kinda sucks but it enhances the overall experience for audiences like me who enjoy pop music.

Lastly, Justin Baldoni's direction and use of handheld camerawork add a raw, realistic edge to the film. The naturalistic lighting and intimate camera angles make the film feel more grounded and relatable, which is crucial for a story that deals with heavy themes like trauma and abuse.

Despite these strengths, the film has several notable weaknesses that detract from its overall impact. The narrative devices used in the film are glaringly obvious, and the dialogues often come across as pretentious. This pretentiousness, at times, borders on the ridiculous, making it difficult to take the characters seriously. While the film aims to address important issues such as trauma and generational curses, the execution is far from seamless. The blend of these themes feels forced, and the film struggles to do justice to the weighty subject matter of the source material.

One of the most evident issues is the film's runtime. At two hours, the film feels unnecessarily long and repetitive. The pacing is inconsistent, with a drawn-out opening sequence that takes up the first ten minutes, followed by a rushed progression through key points in Lily and Ryle's relationship. This hurried pace leaves little room for character development, making it hard for the audience to fully grasp Lily's trauma or the depth of her connection with Ryle. The lack of chemistry between the two leads further undermines the film's romantic subplot. The characterization is another weak point. The film barely allows the audience to process Lily's traumatic past before plunging her into a whirlwind romance with Ryle. This rushed approach makes their "deep" love for each other seem superficial and unconvincing. The reintroduction of Atlas Corrigan into Lily's life, while intended to create conflict, feels more like a plot device than a meaningful part of the story. After all, the film does revolve around the story of Lily, so it's understandable that all characters, aside from Lily, are just background characters with little to no impact on the film. The film could have benefited from being 30 minutes shorter. With its 2-hour runtime, it felt overly long and repetitive, often going in circles without adding much to the story.

In conclusion, "It Ends With Us" is a film that falls short of its potential. While it has its redeeming qualities-primarily Blake Lively's performance, the soundtrack, and cinematography-it is ultimately a forgettable and predictable story. The film's length and pacing issues, combined with its pretentious dialogues and lack of character development, make it a shallow and, at times, boring experience. For those who have not read the book and are looking for a film that tackles heavy themes with emotional depth, "It Ends With Us" may still offer some emotional resonance. It has the potential to pull at the heartstrings and take the audience on an emotional rollercoaster. However, for viewers seeking substance and a more nuanced portrayal of trauma and relationships, the film is likely to disappoint.

"It Ends With Us" can be seen as part of the "once beloved book turned into a film disaster" club. It serves as a reminder that not all popular novels translate well to the big screen. While the film does honor the heaviness and relevance of the theme to some extent, it ultimately lacks the depth and coherence needed to make it a truly memorable cinematic experience.

Lot of potential here but as someone who lived through A LOT of domestic violence situations, watching Hollywood make it artsy so mainstream audiences can "handle it" to me really misses the mark of helping people understand what it feels like. I really enjoyed what this film tried to do but do not feel like it translated well to the big screen. Sure they were attempting to show gaslighting and whatnot, but I think you, the audience should have felt more powerful emotional response to what you were witnessing. I think we needed to hear more of the pain vs the silent flashbacks. Perhaps this could of been a part 1 and part 2 where in part 1 we stay in lillys high school years and learn more about her unstable home life and get a chance to bond with the character. Just wanted more than the film gave. At least it's creating an important narrative that isn't option talked about. Its a start...

I went into this movie with no real expectations, I was just excited to catch a romcom in theaters. However, this turned out to be more of a romantic drama than a comedy. The story kicks off with a funeral, not the greatest vibes.

The movie, though, was pretty nice. It reminded me of the romances from a while ago. I liked the underlying message, especially the scene where the title is referenced. The film could easily have felt sappy or trite, especially at that moment, but it managed to avoid that. It had many charming moments, particularly in the first half, even as it delved into the characters' traumas.

The narrative feels like a journey of breaking family trauma, framed as a romance, particularly for the main character. The other two characters have their own issues to work through, but the focus remains on the protagonist. The movie provides just enough context to understand each character's background without overwhelming the story.

Initially, I felt bad seeing two potential love interests, anticipating the usual heartbreak for one. However, the film subverted my expectations and shifted from a romantic comedy to a drama, avoiding typical clichés. The story ended up being more than just a love triangle, which I thought was nice.

While the story wasn't groundbreaking and had its surface-level moments, it was emotionally impactful at times. All the characters had unresolved issues from their pasts, and by the end, we see the main character finally starting to heal. It felt like we watched her journey for two hours, and only at the end did she actually begin to take the right steps forward.

Overall, it wasn't a must-see romance/drama, but it was still decent and worth watching if you have the time. My reaction at the end was more of a subdued "good for her" rather than being deeply moved. It's like being a cat person, watching a video of an injured dog taking its first steps; you feel happy for it and then just move on.

I also think I was the only guy at that screening, felt like I wasn't meant to be there lol. Usually, you at least see a few guys who were dragged there by their girlfriends.

(No spoilers) I've of course heard of the book but had no idea what it was about and didn't even watch the trailer to be honest. I just know it's a good book from friends and I like Blake Lively and I had time to kill today. Wow. What a good movie. Like really good. It's shot very well. The cinematography reads like a book and it just flows so well. The acting is really good too. It wasn't cheesy or trying to be a book to movie adaptation. You ride the waves of emotions and root for these characters too. It makes me want to read the book now which I'll probably do! I went to a matinee showing and it was pretty full. I overheard someone say they enjoyed the second half better but I thought the beginning was strong too lol. Definitely watch! You find out why it's called It Ends With Us and it's a beautiful yet heartbreaking story.

Could so easily have been on the wrong side of contrived, but this adaptation was well done. Casting was spot on. Chemistry worked well between the 2 sets of leads.

One significant aspect which was conveyed well was that there is a story that underlies the behaviour of a perpetrator of violence. And whilst our initial reaction is to simply judge the action -- and there must absolutely be punishment -- we dont make progress without understanding why this happens and addressing root causes. The movie doesnt get into this but it doesnt need to. Violence is complicated and the movie does depict this.

The most significant theme is the movie provides a model for how females should handle being in such situations. Easier said than done of course.

And this leads to the only bit which was a bit unrealistic; how the situation was resolved. Seemed a bit swift and quite neat with a happy ending. Reality as most victims will know is things arent this neat.

I don't understand what's the FUD about this movie but boy I just got irate after the first hour. There is no character development, no concrete story line, no real love story. You don't feel anything for the characters.

I mean this whole movie could have been a 10 liner script. The movie tries to be appealing in some sort of a sexual way but no, it doesn't work out.

Definitely won't recommend to watch in theatres. I guess there are fans of the book who might see a deeper meaning in the plot but for the rest of us, it is utter waste of time.

Please save your time and don't watch even if someone offers to show it to you for free.

Not a love story, not a romantic movie, doesn't hit home.

Hello reader, I read the book first, just a few weeks before seeing the film. Hands down, this is one of the best, if not the best, book-to-movie adaptation I have ever seen.

Wonderful acting, lovely soundtrack, and it just slammed you in the face with emotion. As someone who loved the book, imo, it hit all the right notes and important scenes. Ignoring the book, this was just a great movie in it of itself; a touching film with an important story.

While there were a few scenes that I wish had been included, the story flowed well and, unless you read the book, it tied together wonderfully and you didn't feel like you were missing anything.

I watched this movie with my mom, who also read the book several years ago. It was a great way to spend the evening with her, and I loved hearing the other audience members going through the feels with us. All in all, great movie, great book.

Now, I hope whoever read this has a great day/night and finds a lucky penny somewhere.

I was one of four dudes in the theatre watching this, having been taken by my wife. Honestly, I totally get the appeal of this movie. It tells a very compelling story with a meaningful message. It's actually a movie that had me wanting more, which is also part of the problem. For the positives, I think when this movie acts as a standard(ish) romantic drama, it works pretty well. As I mentioned before, I think it captures aspects of a very difficult subject really well; namely, confusion. It's hard not to be at least somewhat emotionally affected by this movie; it succeeds in doing this, at least in the moment. (Think of Saltburn)

But..the movie falls flat on a couple of levels. I think one is tone. It bounces around between Lifestyle channel rom com to serious drama like a ping pong ball, and while that can work, I don't think it does here. Especially when these characters - Jenny Slate and Hasan Minhaj's - feels like parodies of comic relief in these movies.

The film also spends way too much time on the romance, and not the relationships that would actually matter. We get frustratingly little of Lily's relationship with her Mom and Dad, and too much about a guy she liked back when she was 18. (Blake Lively). Isabella Ferrer looks EXACTLY like a young Lively and was really underutilized here. The sort of "love triangle" angle just fell flat for me as it genuinely felt as if the "other man" Atlas (terrible name), just sort of existed in the confines of Lily's attention. When she thinks about it or the plot needs him, he's there. Anytime else, he might as well not exist. It feels like his life was put on hold (and yet, he managed to open up a successful restaurant) ever since she left their small town.

Speaking of Lively...man. Her acting range is so limited; this movie really could've used a more expressive and talented actress in this role to really drive the emotions home, and it's a bit of a shame they didn't. (There is some controversy regarding her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds' meddling with this film, but it doesn't really impact the story - let's just say, Deadpool & Wolverine had more to do with this film's marketing strategy than you'd think). Another thing I noticed, but normally would comment on, were the costumes. I actually whispered to my wife during the movie that "Lily really loves crop tops, eh?" because it's weird how many times we see this specific outfit in the movie. (Call it sexist, but a lot of women have commented on the costuming as well online, so it's not just me).

I also feel like the way this movie is filmed makes it feel extremely small, despite the constant references to Boston. Movies that reference a place a lot should give you a SENSE of this place, but honestly, the world of this movie feels like it comprises of ten people. We get a couple of establishing shots here and there, but there's really no life to this world. Hell, not a single character interaction UNRELATED to the main plot that I can think of.

Look, this movie seemed to be received well by my audience and myself. But I also heard a lot of people talk about what it's missing from Colleen Hoover's book, a lot of which sounded relevant. And, I can't help but say it feels like the case.

With the rise of domestic violence to a crisis level in our society, it is great to see a movie on our screens that deals with this issue. It Ends With Us, which has been adapted from the Colleen Hoover novel, is a poignant drama that explores the complexities of love, trauma, and resilience. We follow Lily Bloom after she moves to Boston to start a new life in the florist business. She meets a charming neurosurgeon, Ryle Kincaid, and quickly becomes romantically involved. As their relationship develops, Lily must deal with reminders of her troubled past and the possibility that her new relationship will lead to toxic patterns in the future.

There are some strong performances in It Ends With Us. Blake Lively (The Age of Adeline and The Shadows), along with the rest of the cast, give us characters who are complex and emotionally charged. For me, Lively stands out and I particularly warmed to the character of Allysa, a friend and colleague who works with Lily in the florist shop, played by Jenny Slate. She brought some much-needed vitality and humour to the story.

I do think that there could have been more development of Ryle's background. Lily's complex portrayal of a survivor grappling with trust issues is very good, but Ryle's character arc feels somewhat underdeveloped. I think this is a shame given that there has been little focus in our society on the motivations and histories of males who perpetrate violence. It Ends With Us does, though, provide some insight into an event in Ryle's history, which I will let you discover if you watch the movie.

It Ends With Us tackles some very universal issues: love, loss, the search for identity, and, of course, domestic violence. The domestic violence issue is dealt with much more gently than it might have been, which may be okay given that there will probably be audience members who have, or are experiencing, domestic violence in their own lives. The cinematography visually reflects the emotional intensity of the story without being gratuitous in its portrayal of violence.

If you regularly watch romantic dramas, you may find that some of the plot elements are very familiar. At over two hours, the movie does feel a bit too long, and a tighter narrative focus would have created a more intense experience, in my view. The emotional intensity sometimes borders on excessive melodrama, which may alienate some viewers.

It Ends With Us is, in some ways, constrained by its rating, which recommends a lower-aged audience. But at least this allows for younger teens to be able to see a movie that is focused on an issue that is important for the age group in terms of their current and future relationships. It is a well-intentioned film that raises important issues, but its shortcomings prevent it from reaching its full potential. Nonetheless, it serves as a starting point for conversations about domestic violence and its devastating consequences. While It Ends With Us effectively addresses the pressing issue of domestic violence, its melodramatic tendencies and familiar plot hinder its potential to be a truly impactful film.