Comparing Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us: Book vs. Movie
As someone who read and thoroughly enjoyed Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us in November of 2022, followed by its sequel It Starts With Us the following month, I was excited to see the story brought to life on the big screen. I even made sure to see the movie on the day it came out, August 9. The novel had such an emotional impact on me, particularly with its delicate handling of sensitive topics like domestic violence and the complexities of relationships. While I’m glad I saw the movie, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed by how it portrayed some of the most crucial elements of the story.
The Novel’s Approach to Domestic Violence
One of the most powerful aspects of It Ends With Us is its raw and honest depiction of domestic violence. Hoover doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh realities that Lily faces, both in her relationship with Ryle and in her past with her father. The book paints a vivid picture of Lily’s internal struggle as she navigates the cycle of abuse, the guilt, the love, and the fear that come with it. It’s this depth of detail that makes Lily’s journey toward finding the strength to leave so poignant and inspiring.
The Movie’s Approach: A Missed Opportunity
The movie, however, takes a much lighter approach to this subject matter. The scenes depicting domestic violence were either toned down or completely omitted, which, in my opinion, significantly weakened the impact of the story. Domestic violence is a sensitive topic, but it’s also central to Lily’s character development and the overall message of the book. By dodging these scenes, the movie fails to capture the intensity and importance of Lily’s struggle to break free from an abusive relationship.
This decision to downplay the violence not only diminishes the gravity of Lily’s situation but also risks minimizing the experience of those who have gone through similar circumstances. The book’s emphasis on the difficulty of leaving an abusive partner and the courage it takes to do so is what made it resonate with so many readers, and the movie’s failure to fully portray this aspect felt like a disservice to the story.
Lily’s Past: The Missing Context
Another area where the movie falls short is in its exploration of Lily’s past. In the book, we learn about Lily’s childhood and how growing up in a household where her father physically abused her mother shaped her understanding of love and relationships. This backstory is crucial because it helps the reader understand why Lily finds herself in a similar situation as an adult and why it’s so difficult for her to leave.
The movie, however, glosses over this significant part of Lily’s history. Without this context, her actions and emotions in the present day lose some of their meaning. The lack of focus on her past also downplays the generational aspect of domestic violence, which is a key theme in the novel. By not fully exploring Lily’s background, the movie misses an opportunity to delve deeper into the psychological impact of witnessing abuse as a child and how it affects one’s future relationships.
Small Details, Big Impact
In addition to the broader issues, the movie also overlooks some small but meaningful details that added depth to the book. For example, in the novel, Lily and Atlas bond over watching The Ellen DeGeneres Show together as kids. This may seem like a minor detail, but it’s moments like these that build the foundation of their relationship and highlight the comfort and escape they found in each other during difficult times.
The movie doesn’t stress this aspect of their relationship, which, in turn, lessens the emotional connection between the characters for the audience. These small details may seem insignificant, but they play a big role in making the characters and their relationships feel real and relatable.
Overall, while I appreciated seeing It Ends With Us adapted into a movie, I couldn’t help but feel let down by the lack of focus on the very elements that made the book so powerful. The decision to downplay domestic violence, overlook Lily’s impactful past, and omit small but significant details resulted in a film that, for me, didn’t quite capture the heart of the story. That being said, if you loved the book, it’s still worth seeing the movie to experience the story in a new way—just don’t expect it to carry the same emotional weight.e capture the heart of the story. That being said, if you loved the book, it’s still worth seeing the movie to experience the story in a new way—just don’t expect it to carry the same emotional weight.
For a deeper dive into my thoughts on both It Ends With Us and its sequel It Starts With Us, check out my blog post, “Book Review: Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us and It Starts With Us.”
