The summer of 2024 was a successful time for the movie industry, with two major films hitting the big screen. It was also a period of great success for the celebrity power couple, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, as they starred in the motion pictures that were dominating the box office. Ryan Reynolds returned for the third Deadpool movie, “Deadpool and Wolverine”, while Blake Lively hit the screens by starring and producing a movie adaption of the novel, “It Ends With Us,” by Colleen Hoover.
Theaters were filled with marvel fans and bookworms for these two vastly different films, as they were labeled the movies of the summer. In “Deadpool and Wolverine”, Reynolds delivered a sarcastic yet warming performance that sparked waves of nostalgia and reignited Marvel fans’ excitement. Many of the fans cosplayed and embraced being back together as a community for another marvel universe film. Other fans could be seen with their copies of “It Ends With Us” and their tote bags as they entered the theater, eagerly waiting to see their favorite book brought to life. However, unlike Reynolds who was immersed in love, attention and gratitude for his work while promoting his film, his wife, Lively, found herself facing backlash, upset moviegoers and caught in the midst of a controversy.
“It Ends With Us” is a novel about a florist who, after growing up with an abusive father, finds herself trapped in an abusive relationship with a doctor while reconnecting with her first love from her youth.
The movie adaption doesn’t steer from the difficult and potentially triggering themes of abusive relationships that are encompassed within the book. However, the movie trailer highlights key moments that will only resonate with readers, while newcomers may mistake it for a typical rom-com. This misrepresentation is misleading and risky, as the film deals with sensitive content that could be triggering for some viewers.
In addition to the bad advertisements by Wayfarer Studios, Lively continued to match the oddly detached, inauthentic energy in a promotion of the movie by encouraging viewers to, “grab your friends and wear your florals”, according to the British Broadcasting Corporation and the video on TikTok.
Many fans expressed their outrage over Blake Lively’s promotion of “It Ends With Us”, which was met with criticism from domestic violence survivors. Lively displayed a brazen insensitivity to domestic violence victims and the community she aimed to represent in the film. One fan described seeing the promotion as heartbreaking and rude, as Lively talks about this film as if it’s another normal rom-com, according to the BBC.
Moreover, nearly 85% of DV victims are women and one in four women in the U.S. will experience DV from their partner at some time in their life, according to DomesticShelters.org.
The movie itself doesn’t fail to spread awareness of the pain that women experience, nor to the injustice and turmoil that transpires on women’s daily lives. Lively, however, failed the victims by clearly lacking any semblance of empathy for those who have suffered. She insinuated that the movie was lighthearted, fun and for a night out with friends, while failing to speak up for those without a voice. According to Forbes, nearly 40% of women do not seek help in DV relationships.
Additionally, along with her insensitivity and lack of empathy for DV victims across the globe, Lively used her moment in the spotlight to market her hair care products. During press tours and interviews for her movie about domestic abuse and violence, Lively drew attention to the launch of her new brand “Blake Brown”, according to MSN.
Despite Lively’s inexcusable actions and utter lack of accountability, the movie still grossed $350 million worldwide and has a rating of 6.5/10. It was also the second highest grossing movie this summer.
Fans are still hoping for an apology from Lively and a true sense of compassion for the women who are affected by DV. Lively has demonstrated a lack of maturity, understanding, and self-awareness, leaving the unfortunate impression of being a female celebrity who does not advocate for or support other women.
“It Ends With Us” is a difficult film to watch, regardless of whether or not you’ve experienced DV. The movie contains violence, rape, manipulation and anger, while also portraying a journey of self-empowerment, resilience and the reclaiming of self-respect. Many fans have stated that the movie should have included a trigger warning at the start, given that DV is alive and well in our society.
Viewers and fans deserve an apology for the joke that Lively made of the film. She should be continually held accountable for her narcissism and belittling of individuals in DV situations. As a woman, I cannot support Lively or her career if she fails to support the women who have been traumatized and taken advantage of, all because men refuse to respect the word “no”.
