It Ends with Us (2024)

Clunky dialogue is the first thing you’ll notice in It Ends with Us, and the glossy, romantic look can feel too light for the story underneath. That matters, because the story is a serious one. Blake Lively plays Lily Bloom, who grew up in Maine and is opening a flower shop in Boston. She hires Allysa, who turns out to be the sister of Ryle, the charming neurosurgeon Lily has started dating. Then Atlas Corrigan, her first love from back home, opens a restaurant in town. Beneath the romance, this is a story about a relationship that turns dangerous, and about the courage it takes to see it clearly and choose yourself. Lively is the reason to watch. She gives Lily warmth and backbone and plays the hardest moments with real care. Critics landed at 55% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it made $351 million worldwide on a reported $25M. A 5.4 because Lively deserves a sharper script. $244.49 says you walk past a flower shop this week and stop to pick something out for someone who deserves it.

What works: Blake Lively gives Lily warmth and quiet strength, and the film treats its most serious moments with real care.

What doesn’t: The dialogue is clunky, and the glossy, romantic tone often feels too light for the serious story underneath.

Who it’s for: Readers of the novel, and grown-ups ready for a romance that turns into something much more serious.