Justin Baldoni’s Film Adaptation of ‘It Ends With Us’ Takes Shape

Justin Baldoni has been busy bringing the beloved novel ‘It Ends With Us’ to the big screen. When his production company, Wayfarer Studios, optioned the book back in 2019, he had a special person in mind to write the screenplay: the author herself, Hoover.

Baldoni explained that he told Hoover, ‘If anybody should write this, it should be you. This is a story that you made in honor of your mom.’ However, Hoover took some time to think it over before deciding she was too close to the story to adapt it herself.

Hoover’s past plays a significant role in the novel. Her own mother faced domestic violence, which was a key inspiration for writing ‘It Ends With Us’ back in 2016. The author has described this book as the hardest she’s ever written, revealing how she struggled with the complexity of the characters, particularly the abuser.

In her notes, Hoover mentioned wanting to show the deep, often conflicting emotions involved in loving someone who can hurt you. She reflected on her mother’s journey, expressing a newfound respect for her after finishing the book.

In an emotional tribute, Hoover said, ‘Before I wrote this book, I had a lot of respect for my mother. Now that I’ve finished it… I want to be you when I grow up.’ It’s clear that her mother’s resilience had a profound impact on her.

Hoover also extended her thoughts to her father in the book’s acknowledgements, choosing to remember him for the good times instead of the bad. Her words showcased a complicated relationship with someone who taught her valuable lessons despite his flaws.

However, not everyone has welcomed the book with open arms. There have been critics who claim that Hoover romanticizes domestic violence. The controversy intensified when she teased a coloring book based on the novel in 2023, which faced backlash and was eventually scrapped.

Hoover clarified her intentions, stating, “By no means do I intend for Ryle and Lily’s situation to define domestic abuse.” Instead, she wanted to narrate her own family’s experience with it.

For the film adaptation, Baldoni ultimately turned to Christy Hall, known for her work on ‘Daddio’, to help bring the story to life on screen. Fans are now excited to see how this powerful narrative translates into a movie.

‘It Ends With Us’ is set to hit theaters this Friday, and the anticipation is building for what is sure to be an emotional journey.