It Ends with Us (2024)

It Ends with Us (2024), directed by Justin Baldoni and based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, is a deeply emotional romantic drama that explores the complexities of love, trauma, and breaking cycles of abuse. With a powerful cast led by Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, the film adapts the raw narrative of the novel to the big screen, attempting to balance romantic tension with heavy emotional themes.

Detailed Summary

Lily’s New Beginning

Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) is a young woman who has just moved to Boston after her father’s death. She’s looking for a fresh start, both personally and professionally, and begins chasing her dream of opening a floral shop. It’s clear from the start that Lily carries emotional baggage from her childhood, especially memories of witnessing domestic abuse between her parents.

The Chance Encounter with Ryle

One night, Lily meets Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni), a handsome, charming neurosurgeon. There’s instant chemistry between them, but Ryle is emotionally unavailable and insists he doesn’t do relationships. Still, their connection grows, and after a series of flirty encounters and emotional conversations, Ryle lets down his guard, and they fall in love.

As their relationship deepens, Ryle seems to be everything Lily could want—successful, passionate, intelligent. However, cracks begin to appear. Ryle’s temper flares in unsettling ways, and after a few red flags, a shocking act of violence changes everything.

Atlas Returns

Just as Lily starts questioning her relationship with Ryle, her past collides with her present: Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), her first love and protector during her troubled teenage years, reappears. Atlas, now a successful chef, brings back memories of a purer, more supportive kind of love. His presence complicates things, especially as Lily begins to understand how deeply her relationship with Ryle mirrors her mother’s past.

Atlas’s return acts as a mirror, forcing Lily to confront how far she has strayed from her values—and what she truly wants in life.

The Escalation

Ryle’s abuse intensifies. After another violent episode, Lily ends up in the hospital. The scene is emotionally jarring and pivotal—she’s pregnant, scared, and finally forced to make a decision not just for herself, but for her unborn child. Her internal conflict is heartbreaking: she still loves Ryle, but love is no longer enough.

She seeks help from her mother, who offers support in a way she never could during Lily’s childhood. The generational cycle of abuse becomes the central theme here—Lily realizes the power in breaking it, no matter how much pain it causes.

Movie Ending

The movie ends with Lily giving birth to a daughter. Ryle, though apologetic and desperate to be part of their lives, cannot undo the damage he’s done. In a deeply emotional scene, Lily tells Ryle she wants a divorce. The moment is quiet but resolute. She says, “It ends with us,” making it clear that the cycle of abuse that haunted her childhood will not continue with her daughter.

The final scenes show Lily co-parenting with Ryle from a distance while beginning to open her heart again to Atlas. The door to their future together is left slightly open, but the film doesn’t frame it as a fairytale ending—rather, it emphasizes healing, strength, and self-respect.

It’s a raw, honest finale that reflects the tone of the novel and offers closure without fantasy.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, It Ends with Us does not include any post-credits scenes. The story concludes with emotional final scenes that stand on their own, and there are no teasers or extra content after the credits.

Type of Movie

It Ends with Us is a romantic drama with strong themes of domestic abuse, personal empowerment, and trauma healing. It leans more into character development and emotional arcs than plot twists or melodrama.

Cast

• Blake Lively as Lily Bloom
• Justin Baldoni as Ryle Kincaid
• Brandon Sklenar as Atlas Corrigan
• Jenny Slate as Allysa
• Hasan Minhaj as Marshall
• Isabela Ferrer as young Lily

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score is composed by Duncan Blickenstaff and Rob Simonsen, blending emotional piano motifs and subtle orchestral swells to underline the film’s delicate tone. Songs from artists like Taylor Swift and Florence + the Machine are used during key emotional moments, complementing Lily’s internal journey.

Filming Locations

Principal photography took place in Hoboken, New Jersey, and Jersey City, though the story is set in Boston. The film’s urban backdrop contrasts with the emotional intimacy of the story. Some scenes of Lily’s childhood are shown in more rural, small-town settings to highlight her journey from a troubled past to self-determined adulthood.

Awards and Nominations

As of now (mid-2024), the film has yet to go through the major awards season circuit. However, it is expected to be a contender in categories like Best Actress (for Blake Lively) at upcoming drama-focused awards like the Golden Globes or Critics Choice Awards.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Blake Lively helped redesign her character’s wardrobe to reflect Lily’s emotional growth.
• Director Justin Baldoni collaborated closely with Colleen Hoover to preserve the emotional accuracy of the book.
• Some scenes had to be reshot after test screenings revealed audience discomfort with a certain portrayal of abuse that lacked proper narrative context.
• A few TikTok influencers who helped the book go viral had cameos in the floral shop scenes.

Inspirations and References

The film is directly adapted from Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel It Ends with Us, which was inspired by Hoover’s own family experiences with domestic abuse. The quote “It ends with us” comes from a letter Hoover wrote to her mother, signaling a breaking of the generational trauma cycle.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There were a few scenes shot that were ultimately cut:

• A longer flashback involving Lily and Atlas as teens, showing more of their bond.
• A scene showing Ryle attending therapy, which was cut to keep the focus on Lily’s journey.
• An alternate ending where Lily and Atlas reunite more explicitly was filmed but replaced with a more subtle, hopeful final moment instead.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film follows the novel quite closely but makes a few notable changes:

• Ryle’s moments of violence are toned down slightly in terms of on-screen intensity, likely to maintain a PG-13 rating.
• The book’s journal entries to Ellen DeGeneres are omitted, replaced with narration and conversations.
• The timeline is condensed, especially the early part of Lily’s life in Boston.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Lily and Ryle’s rooftop encounter, where they make their “naked truths” pact.
• Atlas and Lily’s restaurant scene where he tells her: “You’re still my favorite chapter.”
• The hospital scene where Lily discovers she’s pregnant.
• The final confrontation where Lily tells Ryle she wants a divorce.

Iconic Quotes

• “It stops here. With me and you. It ends with us.”
• “Just because someone hurts you doesn’t mean you can simply stop loving them.”
• “You can stop swimming. I’ll be your anchor now.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The floral shop is named “Bib’s Blooms,” a nod to Lily’s childhood nickname from her father.
• A book titled Verity by Colleen Hoover can be seen in the background of one scene.
• Atlas’s restaurant is named “Corrigan’s,” mirroring the book but also referencing Colleen Hoover’s original surname for the character in early drafts.

Trivia

• The novel became a TikTok sensation, with over 1 billion views under #ItEndsWithUs.
• This is Blake Lively’s first lead role since The Rhythm Section (2020).
• Colleen Hoover appears briefly as a wedding guest in a background shot.
• Justin Baldoni previously directed another book adaptation, Five Feet Apart.

Why Watch?

Watch It Ends with Us if you appreciate emotionally honest storytelling, layered characters, and complex romantic dynamics. It’s not a feel-good romance, but rather a story about survival, healing, and choosing self-worth over sentiment. The film tackles difficult subject matter with compassion and care, offering catharsis rather than fairy-tale resolutions.

Director’s Other Movies

• Five Feet Apart (2019)
• Clouds (2020)

Recommended Films for Fans

• The Notebook (2004)
• A Star is Born (2018)
• Marriage Story (2019)
• Safe Haven (2013)
• Blue Valentine (2010)