It Ends With Us star Brandon Sklenar is urging the internet to be kind in a statement addressing “all this stuff swirling online.”
In case you missed it, there’s been a lot swirling since the film’s release – from headlines about a rift between cast members, to viewers saying they feel disappointed with the film being marketed as a rom-com rather than raising awareness about domestic violence. No official statements have been made about any of the “stuff swirling online” until now, and steering clear of gossip, it’s hard to know what exactly is going on behind the scenes.
But the internet is doing what it does best: piling on with opinions, judgment and hatred, without knowing all the facts.
Taking to Instagram, Brandon writes:
“Colleen (Hoover) and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves. Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about. It is, in fact, the opposite of the point.”
Blake Lively at the world premiere of It Ends With Us (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)
The film, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s hugely successful novel of the same name, follows the story of Lily Bloom (played by Blake Lively), a young woman who grew up in a violent home and is in the midst of starting her own business. She falls for handsome neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (played by Justin Baldoni) while also crossing paths with her first love, Atlas Corrigan (played by Brandon Sklenar). There are strong themes of domestic violence, jealousy, and toxic masculinity, but also, of independence, hope and creating change.
“What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film,” Brandon’s message continued.
“It’s been disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online.”
Author/executive producer Colleen Hoover at the world premiere of It Ends With Us (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)
He also shared that someone close to him has been “struggling with a relationship that has mirrored Lily’s closely”:
“Prior to my involvement in this film, she had not heard of the book. It was only then that she read it. She credits Colleen’s book and subsequently this film with saving her life.”
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Brandon explained how “there isn’t a single person involved in the making of this film that was not aware of the responsibility we had in making this. A responsibility to all the women who have experienced generational trauma – domestic abuse – or struggle with looking in the mirror and loving who they see.”
He also described the film as a “harsh reality check for the men who need to get their sh** together and take responsibility for themselves and their actions.”
“Ultimately it’s meant to spread love and awareness. It is not meant to, once again, make the women the ‘bad guy’, let’s move beyond that together.”
Brandon ended his message, “All I ask is that before you spread hate on the internet, ask yourself who it’s helping, Ask yourself if your opinions are based in any fact. Or if you simply want to be a part of something. Let’s be a part of something better together. A part of a new story being written for women and all people everywhere. Lead with love and please be kind.”
It Ends With Us is in cinemas now.
(Feature Image Credit: Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)
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