The It Ends With Us drama may be dominating the internet, but for Brandon Sklenar, it ends now.
Sklenar, who stars as Lily Bloom’s (Blake Lively) first love Atlas Corrigan in the buzzy film adaptation of Colleen Hoover‘s best-selling romance novel, took to Instagram on Tuesday to “address all this stuff swirling online,” per the New York Post.
“Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves,” Sklenar wrote. “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. 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. It’s been disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online.”
Sklenar proceeded to share that “someone very close” to him has been “struggling with a relationship that has mirrored Lily’s closely,” which sparked a feeling of “responsibility to bring this to life and help spread that message further.”
“Prior to my involvement in this film, she had not heard of the book,” he wrote. “It was only then that she read it. She credits Colleen’s book and subsequently this film with saving her life.”
The 1923 star’s statement arrives in the midst of drama rumors and condemnation clouding the film’s release, including that Lively has not comprehensively addressed the themes of domestic violence while promoting the film, as noted by outlets such as the New York Post and Variety.
Sklenar then assured fans that “there isn’t a single person involved in the making of this film that was not aware of the responsibility [they] had in making this” — the responsibility he specified as being “to all the women who have experienced generational trauma – domestic abuse – or struggle with looking in the mirror and loving who they see.”
Deeming the film “a harsh reality check for the men who need to get their shit together and take responsibility for themselves and their actions,” he ultimately argued that the film is “meant to inspire,” as well as “validate and recognize” and “instill hope.”
He concluded by urging fans to “be a part of something better together.”
It Ends With Us is in theaters now. Read Sklenar’s statement above.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788.