**‘It Ends with Us’ (2024): The Controversial Romantic Drama Stirring Debate**
The 2024 romantic drama *It Ends with Us* has recently become a streaming sensation, particularly after the film’s title became unavailable to Netflix users on the ad-supported tier. Based on Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel of the same name, the book surged in popularity in 2021 thanks to TikTok, leading to this much-anticipated film adaptation.
### Plot Overview
*It Ends with Us* follows Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), who meets a charming neurosurgeon, Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni). As their romance blossoms, Lily unexpectedly reunites with her former boyfriend, Atlas (Brandon Sklenar), now a restaurant owner, which sparks jealousy and tension. Meanwhile, troubling signs emerge as Ryle’s violent outbursts begin to surface, adding complexity to their relationship.
### Box Office and Reception
Since its theatrical release, the film has earned over $351 million globally and currently ranks #5 on Prime Video’s Top Movie charts worldwide as of January 12, 2026—positioned between *Black Site* and Jason Statham’s *A Working Man*. While critics have given *It Ends with Us* a mixed reception with a 55% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences have responded more positively, awarding an 87% Verified Hot audience score.
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### Why Is *It Ends with Us* So Controversial?
Despite its commercial success, *It Ends with Us* has been mired in controversy, stirring heated discussion both online and offline.
#### Tone-Deaf Marketing
The film’s marketing campaign was widely criticized for being tone-deaf. Many felt it glossed over the serious themes of domestic violence and abuse, instead promoting the movie as a lighthearted romance. Blake Lively’s invitation to “grab your friends and wear your florals” was seen by some as insensitive given the film’s heavy subject matter. Contrastingly, Justin Baldoni used his platform to openly support victims and address the issue of abuse during interviews.
#### Behind-the-Scenes Drama
Just days after the movie premiere on August 13, 2024, Baldoni hired a crisis PR manager, notably someone who had worked with Johnny Depp during his trial against Amber Heard, amid growing public speculation about off-screen tensions.
Rumors swirled that Lively and Baldoni had a conflict during the film’s promotional period, fueled by their absence together in press photos. Social media speculated that Ryan Reynolds, Lively’s husband, might have “helped take over creative control” of the project.
#### Allegations and Lawsuits
In a bombshell report by *The New York Times*, Blake Lively accused the film’s director of sexual harassment, fostering a toxic work environment, and orchestrating a smear campaign against her. Justin Baldoni denied these claims, but Lively received backing from Colleen Hoover, SAG-AFTRA, and Sony Pictures.
Following these developments, Baldoni was reportedly dropped by his talent agency. On December 31, 2024, Baldoni filed a lawsuit against *The New York Times*, and on the same day, Lively filed a separate lawsuit against Baldoni.
Adding to the legal battles, Baldoni filed a third lawsuit on January 16, 2025, this time against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and her PR company, accusing them of defamation. However, a judge dismissed this lawsuit along with Baldoni’s suit against *The New York Times* in June 2025. Baldoni has also made evidence public via a dedicated website to present his side of the story.
According to *People*, a trial for Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni is scheduled for May 18, 2026.
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### Where to Watch
*It Ends with Us* is currently available to stream on Prime Video and Netflix.
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**Stay Tuned**
Follow Collider for the latest news and updates on *It Ends with Us* and the ongoing developments surrounding this controversial film.
https://collider.com/brandon-sklenar-romantic-thriller-it-ends-with-us-streaming-success-prime-video-january-2026/