I'm not pretending to be an expert, but I have extensively written about domestic violence and sexual abuse in pop culture, interviewed licensed therapists on the matter, and have my own personal experiences. Part of what drew me to It Ends with Us is knowing how badly our culture understands intimate partner violence — we're still within spitting distance of the catastrophe of misinformation that was the Depp/Heard trial. Conversely, I know that meaningful depictions of trauma can literally change lives — I’ve felt it myself.

Director Baldoni said he made this movie for the real-life Lily Blooms. While he isn’t in charge of how the movie is marketed, is a film with no content warnings or helpline information best serving this?

I was reminded of when I spoke to Matt Lundquist, a psychotherapist and founder and clinical director of Tribeca Therapy, who told me, “The only responsible question to ask as a therapist, when somebody comes in and they're recently out of a bad relationship, or they've had a string of bad relationships, the relevant question is, 'What is it about these individuals that was compelling to you? How did you find yourself in these relationships?'” To me, this movie answers that question.

Personally, I felt that the relationship between Lily and her father needed a few extra scenes. How did she react after first seeing the violence? Did her father attempt to gaslight her about the experience, or did she just keep it to herself? I love much of the relationship between Lily and her mother, and I feel like it would have been insightful to gain more of a family picture.

I also don’t like how Allysa, depicted as the ultimate BFF, threatens to "never speak" to Lily (leaving her essentially friendless) if she doesn’t cut contact with Ryle. This moment is portrayed as a great moment of friendship, but it could actually risk the victim being totally isolated.

It’s not that I’m opposed to Atlas’ inclusion in this movie, far from it. There is something to be said about the trauma bond and friendship of two kids alone surviving through the years. I think it’s pretty obvious who Lily will end up with in the movie, and I wish the last shot had been one of her own emancipation instead. My coworker, who has read the book, told me that his depiction is more fleshed out and trustworthy there.