The romantic drama “It Ends With Us” has been successful at the box office, but behind-the-scenes issues have threatened to overshadow the film’s exploration of domestic abuse. Despite controversy, actor Brandon Sklenar believes the movie’s themes of abuse will resonate strongly with audiences.
Some tensions reportedly developed between lead actress Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni during filming. Their lack of interaction at promotional events fueled rumors of problems. However, Sklenar defended Lively and author Colleen Hoover in an Instagram post, saying criticism of the women seemed “counterproductive.”
Though doubts exist about Baldoni and Lively’s relationship, Sklenar feels focusing on gossip takes away from the film. With a budget of $25 million, “It Ends With Us” has made over $100 million domestic and $180 million worldwide. According to Sklenar, this shows audiences connect strongly with the story of overcoming abuse.
Sklenar condemned “vilifying” the female stars and Hoover, noting their depiction of abuse is what matters most. Some fans investigated old interviews looking for reasons to criticize Lively, but Sklenar said this behavior adds “negativity” and distracts from the film’s message. Baldoni’s absence from premieres and Lively not mentioning him in interviews raised questions, along with claims of tensions starting during filming. However, Sklenar urged focusing on how the film addresses abuse rather than rumors.
