Get ready for a whirlwind of emotions as Colleen Hoover’s #1 New York Times bestselling novel, It Ends With Us, comes to life on the big screen. This captivating story follows Lily Bloom’s journey to a new life in the bustling city of Boston, where she encounters opportunities for love and self-discovery.

The Charismatic Ryle Kincaid

Enter Ryle Kincaid, a charismatic neurosurgeon who immediately captivates Lily. Actor Justin Baldoni, renowned for his role as Rafael Solano in Jane the Virgin, takes on the challenge of portraying Ryle while also directing the film. Interestingly, it was Hoover herself who suggested Baldoni for the role.

“Ryle may not be exactly what viewers expect,” Baldoni explains. “I wanted to portray him as a complex, smart man who has never dealt with old traumas. There is absolutely no excuse for what he does in the film. We wanted to show an example of a complex and seemingly impossible situation that so many people live through. Showing that there may be real love while not running away from that fact that there is also real harm.”

The Return of Atlas Corrigan

As Lily and Ryle’s relationship unfolds, her childhood sweetheart, Atlas Corrigan, reenters her life. Brandon Sklenar, who plays Atlas, describes him as the antithesis of Ryle. “Atlas and Ryle are polar opposites,” Sklenar notes. “Ryle has a manipulative, toxic presence. Atlas is strong and sturdy, an example of what masculinity can be in a calm, present, and open way. Unlike Ryle, he has no need for validation. When he’s with Lily, he’s just purely there for her.”

A Tale of Contrast and Growth

Hoover highlights the contrast between these two pivotal characters and praises Sklenar’s portrayal of Atlas. “Atlas is who Ryle wishes he could be: someone who doesn’t blame his past for his present,” Hoover shares. “Atlas has learned and grown from his hardships, rather than shrinking because of them. I needed to see an openness and tenderness in Atlas that we wish wasn’t missing in Ryle, and Brandon portrays that beautifully.”

Adapting the Novel for the Screen

Baldoni and the team took creative liberties with the adaptation, with the blessing of Hoover’s fans, to gradually unveil the abusive nature of Lily and Ryle’s relationship. “We decided to bring that realization out slowly, like a recovered memory,” Baldoni explains, ensuring a powerful and impactful narrative experience.

A Cathartic Journey

Prepare to embark on a cathartic and emotional journey with It Ends With Us, arriving in Philippine cinemas on August 7. The film, directed by Justin Baldoni and produced by Alex Saks, Jamey Heath, Blake Lively, and Christy Hall, stars Blake Lively, Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Amy Morton, and Brandon Sklenar. The screenplay, written by Christy Hall, is based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel.

About It Ends With Us

It Ends With Us is a poignant tale of resilience, love, and self-discovery. It follows Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) as she rises above a traumatic childhood to start anew in Boston and pursue her dream of opening a business. Her chance meeting with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) leads to an intense connection, but as the layers of their relationship unfold, Lily begins to recognize patterns reminiscent of her parents’ tumultuous relationship. When her first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), reappears, Lily is faced with an impossible choice that tests her strength and resilience.

Connect with It Ends With Us

Distributed by Columbia Pictures, a local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International, It Ends With Us hits cinemas in the Philippines on August 7. Join the conversation and connect with the film using the hashtag #ItEndsWithUsMovie on social media @columbiapicph.

_{Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”}