After a whole lot of controversy surrounding the promotion of the film that helped more than hampered its Box Office result, “It Ends with Us” (2024), directed and co-starring Justin Baldoni, is finally out of demand now. Prior to its release in theatres on 9th August, which was only weeks after the big Marvel release of the year, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” the Blake Lively starrer was shrouded in a lot of bad-mouthing and blame thrown at the female star. From TikTokers to big media outlets, everyone blamed Lively for taking away the movie’s core theme of domestic abuse and selling it as a sweet romantic comedy.
Now that we’ve all seen the film, we can attest that all the controversy was true, but it’s not just Lively who has to be blamed here. Part of the problem lies in how co-writers Christy Hall and novelist Colleen Hoover have shaped the narrative and how director Baldoni has tried to hide away the central conceit until the very end. Talking about the ending of “It Ends with Us,” after two acts of cheesy proceedings, it dives headfirst into what the title actually means and brings the much-needed theme to the surface.
If you are someone who is confused at how the ending of the film joins the various narrative threads that were plotted before it, the following article is meant for you. Please be aware that the article contains major spoilers and can be triggering for some readers. Please proceed with caution.
It Ends with Us (2024) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
Our first introduction to Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) is when she drives to her hometown for her father’s funeral. Her mother Jenny (Amy Morton) wants Lily to give a eulogy – five points that she really liked about her father at the service, but we can see that she is unable to. It is hinted that whoever her father was, or whatever he did, wasn’t particularly a happy feeling for Lily, who couldn’t conjure up five good things to say about him.
After failing to do so, she rushes out of the service and drives to Boston, where she plans to make her life now.
Who is Lily Bloom?
Lily Bloom is a florist who moves to Boston to pursue her dream of opening her own flower shop. She is a strong and determined woman who harbors painful memories of her childhood, specifically witnessing her father’s abuse of her mother. These experiences shape her life and relationships as she vows never to follow the same path. However, despite her determination, Lily finds herself entangled in a complex and emotionally intense relationship with Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni), a neurosurgeon.
What happens to Lily after she meets Ryle?
After driving away from her father’s funeral service, Lily meets Ryle on a totally random terrace in the city. She is swept off her feet by his charm and good looks, and their whirlwind romance makes her feel giddy with excitement. However, bearing in mind that she comes from a household where she has seen abuse firsthand, she remains on her toes before sliding into a relationship too soon. She keeps pushing Ryle away from her, telling him that she wants to focus on the flower shop that she so earnestly sets up Ryle’s sister Allysa (Jenny Slate), although she is unable to keep her hands away from him either.
The romance quickly turns serious, and they eventually get married. However, Lily soon discovers that Ryle has a darker side—his temper, insecurities, and controlling behavior begin to surface. Incidents where Lily is physically harmed by Ryle are initially explained away as accidents both to us and to Lily herself, but over time, it becomes clear that these are part of a pattern of abuse. Lily is torn between her feelings for Ryle and the realization that she is experiencing the same kind of domestic abuse her mother endured.
Who is Atlas, and what happened when Lily was a teenager?
Another narrative thread in the film also introduces us to a younger Lily (played by Isabela Ferrer) and her first meeting with Atlas (Alex Neustaedter), a homeless kid who she helped as a teenager by offering him food and shelter.
Atlas was Lily’s first love – someone who played a significant role in her teenage years. Even though Atlas was homeless and was often looked at with disgusted looks by the other kids at school, Lily developed a liking towards him, which helped them form a deep emotional connection. Atlas was Lily’s confidant during her troubled home life, while Lily helped Atlas find some kind of semblance in human connection after he had lost all hope, being neglected by his own mother and abused by her boyfriend. Atlas eventually moves away because Lily’s father finds out that Lily has allowed him to come into their home, but their bond is never forgotten.
As an adult, Atlas reenters Lily’s life, this time as a successful restaurateur (now played by Brandon Sklenar). Their connection reignites when they cross paths in Boston, and it becomes clear that Atlas is still deeply concerned for Lily’s well-being.
Was Ryle really abusive towards Lily, or was it a bunch of accidents?
The film keeps playing this game where you are not aware if all the bruises on Lily’s body are because of her sudden falls or anything other than that. But the implications and the awareness of Lily’s father’s narrative thread is enough for a smart viewer to understand what’s really happening even though the romance feels flowery (pun intended). While Ryle attempts to explain away his violent actions as accidents, it becomes increasingly evident that these are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader pattern of abusive behavior. Lily tries to believe that Ryle is fundamentally good and that his violent outbursts are not representative of who he really is. However, after a particularly brutal attack, Lily can no longer deny the reality of the abuse. With time, she begins to reframe Ryle’s past actions and recognizes them for what they truly were—abuse, not accidents.
It Ends with Us (2024) Movie Ending Explained:
After a series of violent encounters, including Ryle sexually assaulting her, Lily finally reaches a breaking point. She contacts Atlas for help, and he supports her through the trauma. Shortly after, she finds out that she is pregnant with Ryle’s child. This revelation forces Lily to take a hard look at her life and her future.
What decision does Lily take after realizing that she is pregnant?
Upon discovering her pregnancy, Lily decides to leave Ryle for good. She chooses to raise her child, a daughter named Emerson (nicknamed “Emmy” after Ryle’s brother, who died because of him when they were young), on her own. While Ryle expresses a desire to reconcile and promises to change, Lily stands firm in her decision to separate from him. She does, however, allow Ryle to be a part of their daughter’s life, but only as a co-parent, not as a partner. With the support of Atlas and her friend Allysa, she takes her power back, deciding to focus on her baby and herself. She refuses to let Ryle’s abuse continue and takes control of her future, ultimately choosing to raise her child, Emmy, on her own.
Does Lily end up with Ryle or Atlas?
Lily ends her relationship with Ryle after enduring his abuse, choosing to divorce him after their daughter, Emmy, is born. She prioritizes her well-being and her child’s safety, standing firm on her decision to break the cycle of violence.
The ending of “It Ends with Us” shows us a brief encounter between Lily and Atlas. While it does not definitively show them rekindling their romance, it implies the possibility of them reconnecting.
How is the ending of “It Ends with Us” different from the book?
The ending of It Ends with Us differs from the book primarily in how it portrays Lily’s relationship with Atlas and Ryle. In the book, it is made explicit that Lily and Atlas rekindle their romance after she leaves Ryle. They confess their love, and Atlas reassures Lily that she can stop struggling and find peace in their relationship.
The movie, however, leaves this reunion more ambiguous, focusing instead on Lily reclaiming her independence and raising her daughter alone. The movie emphasizes Lily’s personal growth and the decision to break the cycle of abuse, whereas the book provides a more romantic closure with Atlas. Additionally, the book features Lily and Ryle co-parenting Emmy, but the movie downplays this dynamic to highlight Lily’s strength in moving on.
