It Ends With Us Director Honors Domestic Violence Survivors Despite the High-Profile Drama Surrounding the Movie
Justin Baldoni, star and director of It Ends With Us, shared a heartfelt message with domestic violence survivors through a post on Instagram, dubbed "#survivorloveletter." Collaborating with the nonprofit organization No More and continuing their association with Wayfarer Studios, his message aimed to uplift survivors by highlighting their resilience and courage. "You embody resilience and courage, qualities that shine bright even on the darkest days," he affirmed, underscoring their relentless spirit as an unwavering source of inspiration. This is prepared by SSP.
Baldoni, already praised for addressing domestic violence during the promotion of the film, emphasized the emotional toll of portraying an abusive husband. Still, he felt it critical to speak directly to survivors and acknowledge their enduring struggle. In his Instagram post dated August 30, he penned: "While I can never fully understand your pain and all you have endured, I want you to know that you are never alone in this fight. We are with you." He added, "You are not just surviving; you are thriving, and in your thriving, you inspire us all."
The film, based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, touches on the cyclical nature of domestic abuse through its main characters Lily Bloom (played by Blake Lively) and Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni). Lily escapes her traumatic past only to find herself entangled in a turbulent romance. The movie, endorsed with a 91% positive audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, spurred considerable media attention during its press tour. However, Lively faced criticism for her promotional efforts, drawing scrutiny from social media.
Furthermore, rumors emerged alleging that Baldoni exhibited borderline abusive behaviors on set, and there were speculations about discord among the cast, including Brandon Sklenar and Jenny Slate. Reacting to the controversies, Baldoni employed crisis PR expert Melissa Nathan to manage the fallout. Brandon Sklenar addressed the discontent, stating that "Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves."
Despite the challenges, Baldoni's ongoing focus remains aligned with the film’s original intent: to spread awareness about domestic violence, encourage dialogue, and inspire actionable change through his company’s partnership with No More. "Together, we are committed to using IT ENDS WITH US as a catalyst to increase dialogue, raise awareness, and inspire actions to help end domestic and sexual violence while promoting healthy relationships," the charity reiterated on its website.