The Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Controversy: Unpacking the Domestic Violence Debate in It Ends with Us
What is domestic violence? What does it look like? And did It Ends with Us fairly portray abusive relationships or did it inadvertently create sensitivity towards abusers?
What is domestic violence? What does it look like? And did It Ends with Us fairly portray abusive relationships or did it inadvertently create sensitivity towards abusers? The recent film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel It Ends With Us has sparked controversy and heated criticism for its portrayal of domestic violence. At the heart of this controversy are the lead actors who are casted in the film: Blake Lively as Lily Bloom and Justin Baldoni as Ryle Kincaid. More recently, the controversy behind the film has escalated even further, with lawsuits filed between the actors: Lively suing Baldoni and accusing him of sexual harassment, and Baldoni suing Lively, among others, and claiming defamation.
Before diving into the controversy as it relates to the criticism for the film’s portrayal of domestic violence, let’s discuss the plot and message behind the novel. The novel follows Lily Bloom, a 23-year-old college graduate who grew up in an environment where she saw her father physically abuse her mother. Lily moves to Boston, with hopes to open her own floral shop, and falls in love with Ryle Kincaid, a charming neurosurgeon who has a dark side. While in Boston, Lily reconnects with her childhood love, Atlas Corrigan.
The novel is centered around an emotionally and physically abusive relationship, and touches sensitive topics including attempted rape. Collen Hoover’s novel seeks to raise awareness for the complexities of domestic violence, the complexities of abusive relationships, and the damaging cycle of emotional and physical abuse.
Given the deeply personal nature of Colleen Hoover’s inspiration for the story, the film adaptation has the responsibility to depict abuse in a way that educates and empowers its audience. It also has the potential to open a dialogue about domestic violence, its impact, and how society can often turn a blind eye to it.
Controversy with Blake Lively's Casting: Glamour vs. Grief
When it was announced that Blake Lively would play Lily Bloom, many fans of the book had mixed feelings. Lively has built a career on playing stylish, confident characters. While she is a talented actress, some critics questioned whether she could effectively embody a character like Lily —someone caught in a toxic, abusive relationship.
During the promotion of the film, Lively faced even more criticism when her messages seemed to lack sensitivity or seriousness for domestic violence awareness. As a fashion icon and businesswoman, Lively promoted her various ventures, including her hair care brand, beauty products, and even her beverage brands – Betty Buzz and Betty Booze. Critics felt that Lively’s marketing strategies were tone deaf, given that domestic abuse and substance abuse issues often correlate.
Lively faced even more backlash during promotional interviews for the film when she encouraged the audience to “grab your friends, wear your florals and head out to see it.” Many commenters felt that this marketing approach betrayed one of the intended messages of the novel – refusing to turn a blind eye to domestic violence and abusive relationships. Instead of focusing on raising awareness, educating the audience on the cycles of abuse, and empowering victims, Lively’s marketing techniques attempted to promote this film as a lighthearted love story and even seemed to romanticize abuse. Critics also viewed that Lively’s wardrobe choices for Lily again failed to focus on the novel’s character or seriousness of the subject matter of the film, and instead, focused on her personal fashion interests.
Justin Baldoni’s Casting: Risk of Mixed Messaging
In contrast to Lively, Justin Baldoni has been known for his advocacy work surrounding mental health and toxic masculinity. He has spoken openly about the importance of portraying abusers with nuance, and his promotional strategy for the film has been geared towards raising awareness for domestic violence issues.
Given Baldoni’s advocacy for positive masculinity, however, his casting as Ryle led some to question whether his performance could make viewers more sympathetic toward Ryle. Could the film risk blurring the lines between understanding an abuser’s psychology and justifying their actions?
Seriousness of Domestic Violence – Victim’s Rights
For those who have lived through domestic abuse, the controversy behind the marketing techniques boils down to this: fear that the film could inadvertently romanticize the trauma of victims and downplay the horrific realities of abuse. Viewers may be distracted by the glamour and romance of the story rather than acknowledging the psychological manipulation, isolation, and physical abuse that Lily suffers at the hands of Ryle.
Florida law defines domestic violence as “any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member.”
Victims of domestic violence and any person who has reasonable cause to believe he or she is in imminent danger of becoming the victim of any act of domestic violence can seek an injunction for protection. It is also important to address gender stereotypes when it comes to domestic violence issues. Although society often focuses on women as victims of domestic violence, it is important to note that men are often victims of abuse as well.
If you are a victim of domestic violence or believe you are in imminent danger of becoming a victim, it is important to speak with an attorney to protect your rights. In filing a petition for injunction, there are specific facts that must be included to prevent a denial of either a temporary or final judgment of injunction. Here at Winter Law, we aim to empower our clients, gather the necessary details, information, and evidence to build a strong case for our clients, and fight for client’s rights for protection against domestic violence.
To schedule a consultation with Winter Law today, call (407) 567-0827 or email cathleen@cwinterlaw.com to coordinate a safe and secure time to talk.
*Warning: Your abuser may monitor your phone, internet, or computer. If you have reason to believe your electronics are not secure, it may be best to use electronic sources that your abuser cannot have access to. You may also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) or the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-500-1119) for further resources and safehouses.