Jamais Plus (Film): It Ends with Us Controversy Guide

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, co-stars of the 2024 film It Ends with Us, are now antagonists in a $400 million federal lawsuit. What began as on-set tensions over intimacy coordination escalated into multiple cross-suits and a March 2026 trial.

Director: Justin Baldoni · Lead Actress: Blake Lively · Based On: 2016 novel by Colleen Hoover · Release Year: 2024 · French Title: Jamais plus

What is the controversy around It Ends With Us?

The off-screen drama surrounding It Ends with Us became as compelling as the film itself. On December 20, 2024, Blake Lively filed a legal complaint with the California Civil Rights Department accusing director Justin Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath, and Wayfarer Studios of creating a hostile work environment. The complaint alleged unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate conversations about Baldoni’s sex life, and repeated uninvited entry into Lively’s trailer while she was undressed—including times when she was breastfeeding, according to Wikipedia’s documented account.

The tensions reportedly began during production in 2023. Lively had requested protective measures including an intimacy coordinator and explicit prohibition on adding unscripted sex scenes as early as November 2023. A meeting held in January 2024—with Lively, Baldoni, and her husband Ryan Reynolds in attendance—attempted to address her concerns, but the relationship apparently continued to deteriorate.

Lively’s complaint detailed 30 protective rules she had demanded, including prohibition on showing videos or images of nude women and discussing pornography addiction. She specified in the filing: “no more adding of sex scenes, oral sex, or on-camera climaxing by [Lively] outside the scope of the script [Lively] approved when signing onto the project,” according to Wikipedia.

The legal battle escalated in February 2025 when Lively sought a gag order against Baldoni, alleging an ongoing smear campaign. The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York denied the request in February 2025, allowing both parties to continue making public statements about the dispute, according to Wikipedia.

In May 2025, Baldoni sought to subpoena Taylor Swift after Lively included her on a list of potential witnesses. Baldoni alleged that Lively and Reynolds used Swift’s influence to coerce him into accepting Lively’s rewrite of a scene. He further alleged that Lively blackmailed Swift with leaking private text messages to garner her public support—though this specific allegation carries medium confidence, per Wikipedia.

Baldoni’s attorney Bryan Freedman described Lively’s accusations as “false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt” him, and accused her of “threatening to not show up to set, threatening to not promote the film, ultimately leading to its demise during release,” according to Wikipedia.

The PR dimension of this case proved notable. Baldoni engaged Melissa Nathan, a public relations representative previously known for working with Johnny Depp in his trial against Amber Heard, to defend against Lively’s accusations, per Diverto. On January 31, 2025, Baldoni filed an amended complaint accusing Blake Lively and the New York Times of coordinating a defamation campaign, according to Wikipedia (French).

Not all production staff sided with the allegations. A storyboard artist who worked on It Ends with Us described Baldoni as “one of the few directors I’ve worked for that was very kind and respectful,” per a YouTube interview documenting crew member perspectives.

During the film’s press tour, fans also criticized Lively’s lighthearted tone in interviews when discussing the story’s themes of domestic violence and emotional abuse, adding another layer to the public perception of the production, according to Wikipedia.

Is It Ends With Us based on a true story?

No. It Ends with Us is adapted from the 2016 novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover. The fictional story follows Lily Bloom, a young woman who moves to Boston and begins a relationship with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid before reconnecting with her first love, Atlas Corrigan.

While the novel draws inspiration from Colleen Hoover’s personal experiences with domestic violence, the events and characters are fictional. The film adaptation preserves the story’s core narrative while adapting it for the screen, with Blake Lively starring as Lily, Justin Baldoni as Ryle, and Brandon Sklenar as Atlas, according to Wikipedia.

The irony: A film about recognizing and escaping abusive relationships became the subject of its own allegations about behavior on set—though these remain legally disputed and unproven in court.

Is Ends with Us on Netflix?

It Ends with Us is not currently available on Netflix. The film was released theatrically in August 2024 and has since become available for streaming on Prime Video, where it can be rented or purchased digitally.

Movies leave Netflix for various reasons including licensing agreements expiring, content rotation strategies, and deals with other streaming platforms. Currently, It Ends with Us remains on Prime Video rather than Netflix, making it unavailable through the streaming giant regardless of the ongoing controversy.

The pattern: Major theatrical releases often take months or years to reach Netflix, if they do at all. For viewers seeking to watch the film, Prime Video remains the primary digital option.

What is the age gap between Lily and Ryle?

In the novel, Lily Bloom is described as being in her early twenties when she begins her relationship with Ryle Kincaid, who is portrayed as a successful neurosurgeon in his thirties. The age difference becomes relevant to the story’s themes, as Lily reflects on power dynamics and independence in relationships.

The film adaptation maintains the essential characterization while making subtle adjustments to the portrayal. The relationship dynamics—including questions about when Lily loses her virginity and to whom (Atlas in the book)—remain part of the story’s more mature elements, according to IMDb reviews.

Why this matters: These character details factor into viewer discussions and contribute to the film’s rating and banned status in certain regions, including Qatar, due to kissing scenes.

Is “It Ends With Us” worth watching?

Viewer opinions split across several dimensions. The film received generally positive reviews for its emotional core and Lively’s performance, though critics noted the storytelling challenges inherent in adapting a novel with such a devoted fanbase. One reviewer described it as “worth watching even amid the lawsuits,” according to IMDb community feedback.

The controversy itself has influenced reception. Some viewers feel the off-screen drama distracts from appreciating the film on its own terms; others argue that understanding the production context enriches their interpretation of the domestic violence themes.

What to watch: Viewers should decide whether separating art from artist matters to them. The film stands on its narrative merits for those who can engage with it independently of the production controversy.