I thought I Would Hate This Film, But I Surprisingly Liked It | My Thoughts On It Ends With Us
Columbia Pictures
So, while on my first Virgin Voyages cruise, I wanted to take advantage of the included movies on demand, and the selection was vast. I rewatched Rise of Skywalker (2019) and realized how much I missed Ben Solo. I sat through Borderlands (2024) for Cate Blanchett and Cate Blanchett only (that movie aged me 10 years). Right after that film, I wanted to keep with the theme of bad movies, so I put on It Ends With Us (2024).
Surprisingly enough, I actually liked the movie and even gave it four stars on Lettertboxd.
About It Ends With Us
Columbia Pictures
IT ENDS WITH US, the first Colleen Hoover novel adapted for the big screen, tells the compelling story of Lily Bloom, a woman who overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life in Boston and chase a lifelong dream of opening her own business. A chance meeting with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid sparks an intense connection, but as the two fall deeply in love, Lily begins to see sides of Ryle that remind her of her parents' relationship. When Lily's first love, Atlas Corrigan, suddenly reenters her life, her relationship with Ryle is upended, and Lily realizes she must learn to rely on her own strength to make an impossible choice for her future. - Summary from Columbia Pictures
The Depiction of Trauma - Lily
Columbia Pictures
I haven't read the book, and as much as I liked the movie, I still don't plan on reading the book or any of Collen Hoover’s other books. It’s not my preferred genre of books as I am a dark romantasy lover.
Lilly was in denial that what happened to her mother was happening to her. All of the love bombing Ryle did at first, and the spontaneous marriage made her feel like she was living in a fairy tale until the abuse started to happen.
When the abuse started, I think she gave him some leeway because he said that he was never a relationship person. So she gaslit herself into believing it’s okay and he could and will change. He didn’t hit her when he reached into the oven without mits ( like an idiot, btw), and he didn’t throw her down the stairs when he found Atlas’s number in her phone case. She wasn’t becoming like her mother because this relationship was perfect. But it wasn’t.
I was fooled. I went into this movie blind and admittedly did not question all of the instances of abuse. I thought the movie was going in a different direction. The usage of flashbacks reveals to the audience that Ryle was abusing Lilly this entire time; she was having a tough time coming to terms with it.
The Depiction of Trauma - Ryle ( and my issue with it)
Columbia Pictures
After it is revealed that Ryle has been an absolute monster and did heinous things to Lilly, we find out towards the end that his personality may have stemmed from an early childhood trauma event of him accidentally killing his brother with an unsecured gun that was in the house.
It doesn’t excuse his behavior; the movie could have better reiterated this. I understand why they revealed it when they did, but it also gave off the vibe of, ‘This is why he did these terrible things to you, and now that you know, you should forgive him!’ I wonder if it was more fleshed out in the book.
a tiny detail
Columbia Pictures
When Lily was talking to Atlas at his restaurant, at that point in the movie, I assumed he was just a sever, not the owner. But then I noticed a picture of Dory from the film Finding Nemo (2003) on the wall and knew it had to be his restaurant because earlier in the movie when we first see Lilly as a child, she has a Finding Nemo (2003) poster in her room. I guess that was one of her favorite movies, and she probably talked about it a lot with Atlas, and he made sure to add some touches of her in the restaurant. I thought that was a nice little detail.
Final thoughts
Columbia Pictures
I enjoyed the film, and it sucks that there may never be a sequel made due to all of the drama surrounding the production of this movie and the actors.
But I find it ironic.
In the film, after the plot twist reveals that Ryle was abusing Lilly and none of those instances were accidents, you feel stupid. You feel like you should have seen it coming or known better.
People felt the same way during the press tour and when the New York Times article came out.
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Hi! I’m Andrea, the creator of Cinematic Excursions.
I am a video editor, photographer, travel and events vlogger, and blogger who likes to write movie analyses and yap about fandom. I also have a useless film degree.
I have been creating videos since 2018. In 2023, I started Cinematic Excursions to share my unfiltered experiences traveling, cruising, going on excursions, and using city cards that are supposed to save money.
I also use my platform to document my experience attending events like New York Comic-Con, MCM Comic-Con London, and the Food Network New York City Wine and Food Festival, advising others and covering news from these events.