It Ends with Us

What’s it about?

Lily Bloom is a budding florist who recently moved to Boston and who is dealing with the death of her father. She meets and begins a complicated relationship with Ryle, a neurosurgeon. As their relationship progresses, Ryle’s abusive behaviour slowly comes to light, but when a former boyfriend comes back into Lily’s life, Ryle’s jealousy really takes control.

The facts

• Directed by Justin Baldoni (Five feet Apart and Jane the Virgin)
• Stars Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni
• English language
• Runtime: 130 minutes
• Based on the 2016 novel It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

Why did it get this rating?

This film game was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.

Domestic violence

Domestic violence is a central theme in the film. There are flashbacks and scenes of domestic violence which includes a character hitting another, pinning them down and biting them. Injuries include bruising, a black eye, bleeding wounds and a bite mark. In a particularly strong scene, a man pushes his partner down a flight of stairs.

Sexual violence references

A man pins a woman to a couch and tries to rape her. While this scene doesn’t show nudity or explicit actions and the woman is able to get away, it is very drawn out. She begs for him to stop but he doesn’t listen. This scene could be very upsetting for people who have gone through or know someone who has experienced sexual violence.

Violence

There are two physical altercations in the film. A man beats up a teenage boy after finding him in his daughter’s bed. The scene quickly cuts to the boy being taken away on a stretcher and in an ambulance covered in blood.

Two men get into a physical altercation in a restaurant. They get a couple of punches in before the fight is broken up and one of them storms out.

Helplines:

The domestic and sexual violence themes could be upsetting for some viewers, especially for those who have gone through similar experiences. If you are struggling with what you have seen on-screen please reach out for help. If you or someone you know needs to talk:

• Women’s refuge
• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?
• It Ends with Us – Detailed Impact Guide
• When trauma is involved, there are no spoilers - Blog
• Why do people hate Colleen Hoover? We explain as It Ends With Us drops - RNZ