Blake Lively has been relentlessly promoting her latest film, It Ends With Us, with a simple and consistent message: “Grab your friends, wear your florals, head out to see it!” In her extensive media interactions, she has stuck to this theme, seemingly reducing the movie’s essence to flowers and friendship.
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For weeks, Blake has been in the headlines for her floral fashion choices, reflecting her character, Lily Bloom, a florist in the film directed by Justin Baldoni. Her commitment to florals in every public appearance has kept the conversation around the movie lively. However, the film’s release has left many fans and viewers feeling misled, as it turns out the movie is far from a light-hearted story about flowers.
It Ends with Us is a stark portrayal of domestic violence, not merely a subplot but the film’s entire premise. Despite this, there was no significant effort to prepare the audience for the heavy themes they would encounter. While the trailer did hint at domestic violence, those unfamiliar with Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel, on which the film is based, might have expected a different story.
The most troubling aspect is Blake’s apparent refusal to acknowledge the serious subject matter. Her promotional strategy, which heavily focuses on the “cutesy” aspects of the film, has drawn criticism for being tone-deaf and dismissive of the film’s core issue.
Blake Lively, who rose to fame as Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl and transitioned smoothly into a beloved movie star, now finds her public image under scrutiny. Known for her warm personality and her seemingly perfect relationship with Ryan Reynolds, Blake has built a fanbase that adores her candidness and charm.
However, in promoting It Ends With Us, Blake has sidestepped critical conversations about domestic violence. In one instance, when asked about the “sensitive themes” of the film, she deflected with a joke about sharing her address, followed by a trivial discussion about her zodiac sign.
Adding to the backlash are Blake’s frequent plugs for her newly launched hair care brand during interviews, often overshadowing more pressing discussions about the movie’s themes. This has sparked a social media trend where creators parody Blake’s promotional style, humorously summarizing emotionally intense films with misleadingly light-hearted descriptions.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are known for their close-knit relationship, often appearing together in the public eye. However, this time, Ryan’s involvement in It Ends With Us has sparked controversy. At the New York premiere, Blake shared that Ryan had a significant role in shaping the film, particularly in writing a key rooftop scene. While she intended to create an “aww” moment, it backfired.
The film’s screenwriter, Christy Hall, was reportedly unaware of Ryan’s contribution. She speculated that any unrecognized dialogue might have been on-the-spot improvisation but maintained that the core script was her work. This revelation raises concerns about Ryan potentially crossing the picket line during the 2023 Hollywood strikes, as the film was shot during this period when scripts were supposed to be locked.
There has been a noticeable difference in how Blake and Justin Baldoni, the film’s director, have approached the promotion of It Ends With Us. While Blake’s messaging has focused on a light-hearted, floral theme, Justin has taken a more measured and advocacy-oriented approach.
The drama around It Ends With Us is kinda nuts bc allegedly Blake Lively & the author wanted to make a movie that was fun and lighthearted but it’s about DV. Justin Baldoni (ol fine self) who bought the rights & directed it, wanted to keep it as close to the book as possible
— Dear Ashley… (@asj519) August 12, 2024
Reports suggest tensions between the two during earlier promotional efforts. Blake allegedly recounted instances of being fat-shamed by Justin and feeling uncomfortable during certain intimate scenes. Additionally, Justin appeared disconnected from the rest of the cast at the New York premiere, walking the red carpet only with his wife.
The ongoing drama has overshadowed the film itself, with Justin hiring veteran PR crisis manager Melissa Nathan, known for handling high-profile clients like Johnny Depp. Meanwhile, Blake has yet to address the controversy publicly.
