Netflix has added a new movie to its popular streaming service. It Ends with Us was one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year for many. Starring Blake Lively and based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover, the romantic drama seemed destined for success.

By some measures, it was an absolute success. The film grossed $350 million at the box office, making it one of the biggest hits of 2024. From another perspective, however, the film may have missed the mark. That is, many people did not like the film. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a critics' score of 58%. There was also criticism of the film's treatment of the sensitive subject matter on which its plot centers.

Now that it has made the Top 10 and is Netflix's No. 1 movie, let's delve into what “It Ends with Us” is all about and whether we should watch this polarizing film.

“It Ends with Us” is based on the popular novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover. Starring Blake Lively as Lily Bloom, who meets neurosurgeon Lyle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni), he has to dash off before the two hit it off completely, but the woman Lily hires to work at the flower shop, Alisa (Jenny Slate ), whom he meets again at a birthday party and learns that she is Lyle's sister.

Unfortunately, this is not a happily-ever-after love story. Lyle is abusive, and Lily suffers emotionally and physically because of it. Further complicating matters is Lily's reunion with her high school sweetheart, Atlas (Brandon Sklenner). Atlas is the head chef at the restaurant where Lily and Lyle first dated. Atlas knows of Lily's history of abuse by men, and when he finds signs of Lyle's abuse, he pleads with her to leave him.

OK, the elephant in the room is a big one. If you have experienced abuse yourself, you may want to skip this movie.

Granted, it can be a cathartic and healing experience. In a review in Time Out, Phil de Semulien wrote a generally favorable review, saying, “This smart, sensitive film version will more than satisfy the millions of people who have picked up the film and found it a sort of bible for those who have been abused.”

However, some felt that the treatment of domestic abuse missed the mark. In a review for The Blu Spot, Jeff Beck ridiculed the film's depiction of domestic violence, saying that it was “clumsily handled in a story buried in a pile of clichéd and extreme coincidences, resulting in a romantic drama that lacks the necessary elements to engage an audience.”

Aside from that, critics in general were divided on the film. Audiences, however, were not. While some critics criticized the film for its poor dialogue and failure to delve into the depths of the original story, most audiences were satisfied with the adaptation. It currently holds a 90% “Popcornmeter” audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is no mean feat.

The bottom line is that anyone who has personally suffered from domestic violence or feels that the subject matter is triggering should be cautious about this film. In general, however, this romantic drama seems to be exactly what fans of the genre want, even if it is not what the critics expected. So check out five of the best movies like “It Ends With Us” that you can easily watch and stream right now.

Stream “It Ends With Us” on Netflix now.