If you thought Hollywood drama peaked with Don’t Worry Darling, let me introduce you to the emotional rollercoaster known as It Ends With Us: The Movie. Spoiler: the drama started before the film even hit Netflix — and no, it’s not because of the plot (though that’s a whole other trauma saga).
It all began when Colleen Hoover’s mega-hit novel got tapped for a big-screen adaptation. Fans screamed. Tears were shed. TikToks were made. Then came the casting announcement: Justin Baldoni as Ryle (also directing) and Blake Lively as Lily. Two beloved names — one massive internet meltdown.
The main issue? The age. Not their age in general — we love a seasoned Hollywood star — but fans were quick to point out that Lily and Ryle are supposed to be in their early twenties. Meanwhile, Blake and Justin… aren’t. It sparked a lot of “Did anyone even read the book?” energy online. But in Hollywood’s defense, when has accurate age casting ever been a priority?
Then came The Wardrobe Saga of 2023. Early set pics showed Blake rocking flannels, baggy cargo pants, and boots that screamed hardware store manager, not “florist finding her freedom.” Fans were shook. TikTok lit up with side-by-sides, fashion critiques, and enough memes to fill Lily’s entire flower shop. Blake eventually responded in true Blake fashion — a little sass, a little sarcasm — and we moved on (barely).
Production then hit pause due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes, giving everyone time to reset, rework, and maybe rethink the entire vibe. And when filming resumed? Things started looking… better. Blake’s wardrobe got a glow-up, Justin toned down the serious stare into the void, and the on-set photos started sparking cautious optimism instead of pure chaos.
And THEN came the real kicker: reports of behind-the-scenes tension between Blake and Justin. Yep — the kind of drama you can’t script. Legal disputes, accusations of inappropriate on-set behavior, and enough PR statements to keep Reddit lawyers busy for weeks. Even amid the tension, the film powered through and — plot twist — did surprisingly well at the box office.
So, where do we stand now? Somewhere between “This is going to ruin the book forever” and “Okay fine, I’ll watch it… but only to rage-text my group chat.”
And guess what? You can watch it — like, right now. It Ends With Us is officially streaming on Netflix as of December 9, 2024. So grab your popcorn, emotional support snack, and maybe a journal to unpack all those unresolved book feelings. Whether it’s a five-star tearjerker or a beautifully dressed hot mess, one thing’s for sure: this adaptation gave us content on and off screen.
Stay tuned, stay nosy, and remember — in the world of book-to-screen drama, the tea is eternal and the rewatches are purely for research.
Written by Penelope Cross
Celebrity drama without the guilt trip.
Whisper Train 