Love isn’t always a fairytale, and no story has shown this better this year than It Ends With Us. While there is plenty of romance in the film, the dominant narrative here looks at controlling and abusive behaviours, and how women can find themselves rationalising away dangerous situations.

Lily, Ryle and Atlas, Lily’s childhood friend, all battle with these shadows, whether from their past or in the present day, and the film deftly shows the long-term harm this can do. Not only that, Colleen Hoover’s story takes things a step further, looking at the reasons why people may or may not walk away. What can seem simple from the outside is a lot more complicated once you’re in it. 

With a cast of characters including Lily’s best friend Allysa (played by Jenny Slate) and Lily’s mother Jenny (Amy Morton), this story doesn’t solely centre on romantic love. Just like in real life, the film shines a light on the importance of familial relationships and friendships, highlighting how necessary these connections are when we’re most in need of help. Our friends can often see things we’re unable to, whether that’s because of our rose-tinted glasses or unwillingness to see the bad in the people we love. That’s why their opinions are so important, even if it hurts to hear them.

Unlike your friends, you can’t choose your family and you definitely can’t control what other people do. However, sometimes it takes time to understand why people acted the way they did. That’s never more true than in It Ends With Us, where Lily is finally able to understand some of the decisions her mum made when she was younger.  

Weakness is not failure – sometimes we end up in situations we never thought we’d see ourselves in. What’s crucial to know is that help is available, even in the most unexpected of places and that hope is always worth holding on to.

Lily’s inspirational journey is an essential reminder that even the women we see as the strongest can struggle. Situations like Lily’s are a vital reminder for viewers that this is nothing to be ashamed of and that there is a way out. We’re not going to give you any spoilers – you’ll have to watch It Ends With Us for yourself! – but trust us when we say that the final scenes will leave you in your feels. 

The film represents a diverse range of familial scenarios, including parenthood and pregnancy. While some couples have a typical family set-up (a mum, dad and children), others end up with something less traditional.

It Ends With Us is a nuanced portrayal of making motherhood work for you. So many viewers will feel seen by these storylines and inspired by the film’s characters.