When searching for new movies on Prime Video, I often don't expect to find titles dismissed by many as failures. The current top 10 list from the Amazon streamer is a curious mix, but one film stands out for all the wrong reasons.
I'm referring to It Ends With Us, the 2024 adaptation of Coleen Hoover's novel, featuring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The story follows florist Lily Bloom (Lively) as she navigates life in Boston and falls for charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni).
When Lily's first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), reappears, she must confront the cycle of abuse in her life and make tough choices for her future and her daughter's safety. It's certainly not a light-hearted film.
However, you'd think otherwise given the absurd storyline choices, a bizarre press tour, and ongoing production controversies that have persisted since its release. Watching It Ends With Us now offers a completely different perspective.
It Ends With Us: An Unhinged Experience
To start, the film's narrative requires a healthy dose of skepticism. A florist named Lily Bloom? A chance encounter with a neurosurgeon? All set to a soundtrack featuring Taylor Swift? It's hard to take seriously.
The film blurs the line between whimsical fiction and sheer implausibility, often leaving viewers laughing at it rather than with it—until the serious domestic abuse theme is introduced, which complicates the emotional response.
I recall watching this at a press screening, growing increasingly perplexed as the film progressed. The second half left a sobering impression, despite its narrative flaws.
Then came the press tour leading up to its theatrical release. The creators marketed it as a fun girls' night out movie, which sparked backlash from fans online. Additionally, Lively and Baldoni were notably absent from each other's side during the global premieres, amidst ongoing legal disputes extending into 2025.
Culture shapes our perceptions, and streaming It Ends With Us now feels like uncovering an Easter egg—an experience that continually reveals new layers of chaos.