Warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence which some readers may find distressing.
It Ends With Us star Brandon Sklenar has addressed those who are 'spreading hate on the internet' and 'vilifying' those involved in the film.
The movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel has received extremely mixed reviews online - with some accusing it of glamorizing domestic abuse.
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Whether it be the film itself, or star Blake Lively's response to one interviewer's question about the movie's sensitive themes and how she's promoted the film, social media users have wasted no time taking to their keyboards to weigh in, but co-star Sklenar has a message for them.
It Ends With Us focuses on the story of aspirational florist Lily Bloom (Lively) who moves to Boston and ends up in a relationship with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni).
However, almost as quickly as their relationship blossoms, it begins to start emulating Lily's parents' relationship - a very toxic and abusive one.
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The promotion of the film has been condemned as centring around fun florals and being mismatched to the movie's dark subject matter and Lively's joking response to a journalist's question about the topic of abuse has come under fire too.
The original novel has also been called out for being marketed as a 'romance' book when it deals with such potentially triggering themes, Glamour reports.
Oh and it's also been slightly overshadowed by the alleged drama behind-the-scenes too.
However, Sklenar - who plays the role of Lily's childhood best friend and later love interest Atlas Corrigan - has since released a statement in support of Hoover and 'the women of this cast' and addressing all the controversy in one fell swoop.
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In a post to Instagram yesterday (August 20), Sklenar wrote: "Hi everyone, I wanted to take a minute and address all of this stuff swirling online.
"Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perserverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves. Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and their 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 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."
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Sklenar added that 'someone very close' to him has experienced a relationship which 'mirrored' Lily's and he felt 'a responsibility to bring this to life and help spread that message further,' noting his friend 'credits Colleen's book and subsequently this film with saving her life'.
The actor explained every 'single person' involved in the film was 'aware of the responsibility' they had in making it and the film is meant to be 'a harsh reality check for the men who need to get their s**t together and take responsibility for themselves and their actions'.
He argued the film is 'meant to inspire' alongside 'validate and recognize,' 'to instill hope' and 'build courage and help people feel less alone' and most of all 'spread love and awareness'.
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Sklenar said before people 'spread hate on the internet' that they 'ask [themselves] who it's helping'.
He resolved: "Ask yourself if your opinions are based in any fact. Or if you simply want to be a part of something. Let's be a part of something better together. A part of a new story being written for women and all people everywhere. Lead with love and please be kind."
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence 24 hours a day to the national domestic violence helpline on 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 24/7. You can find a list of local resources here.
Topics: Books, Film and TV, Sex and Relationships, Instagram, Social Media
Poppy Bilderbeck