Blake Lively addresses domestic violence in 'It Ends With Us' after backlash over 'tone deaf' promotion

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Blake Lively has broken her silence on the controversy surrounding her new film 'It Ends With Us', following backlash from fans who labeled the promotional campaign as "tone deaf" and "shallow" in light of the film's serious subject matter.

The movie, adapted from Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel, centers on the harrowing experience of domestic violence, a theme that many felt was downplayed during the film's marketing efforts.

Blake Lively breaks silence on domestic violence in 'It Ends With Us'

Lively, who stars as Lily Bloom, a woman caught in an abusive relationship with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (played by Justin Baldoni), addressed the criticism on her Instagram Story.

In a statement accompanied by a public service announcement about violence against women, Lively expressed her gratitude to those who supported the film while emphasizing its deeper message, as per Daily Mail.

"Thank you to everyone who came out to show that people WANT to see films about women and the multitudes we hold. 'It Ends With Us' is a story of the female experience. All the highest highs, and lowest lows. And we are so proud of it," Lively wrote.

She acknowledged the film's serious undertones, stating, "We have been in celebration of this film and of getting a message so important out there to the masses."

In the same post, Lively shared an interview clip from the London premiere, where she discussed her character's resilience and strength.

"This movie covers domestic violence, but what's important about this film is that she is not just a survivor and she's not just a victim," Lively told BBC News. "She defines herself, and I think that's deeply empowering to remind people that no one else can define you. No experience can define you, you define you."

Lively also used her platform to raise awareness about domestic violence, sharing statistics and providing resources for those in need. In a follow-up Instagram Story, she highlighted that "1 in 4 women aged 18 and older in the US alone have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime."

She encouraged those seeking help to reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Blake Lively faces backlash for failing to address domestic violence in 'It Ends With Us' promotion

Blake Lively is under fire from fans and critics for what many are calling a "tone deaf" promotional campaign for her latest film, 'It Ends With Us'. The film, which tackles the heavy subject of domestic violence, has been criticized for its lighthearted marketing approach, focusing more on fashion and friendships than on the movie's serious message.

Lively recently shared a video from an interview with co-stars Jenny Slate, Isabela Ferrer, and author Colleen Hoover, praising the friendships she formed during the making of the film.

"Becoming friends with (Jenny Slate) and all of these women (Colleen Hoover and Isabela Ferrer) is the best thing to come out of (It Ends With Us) for me," Lively wrote in the caption.

She added, "I'm gonna be sad when marketing is over and I don't have excuses to sit on my couch dressed up with you ladies."

This post quickly sparked outrage, with fans flocking to the comment section to express their disappointment. "I'm very confused. You missed the entire purpose of the movie. I'm sad and disappointed," wrote one user. Another questioned, "This is a movie about abuse, can you promote it appropriately?"

The criticism largely centered on Lively's perceived failure to address the film's core theme—domestic violence. Comments ranged from disappointment to outright anger, with one user stating, "Blake is only here for the fashion and that's all. She ain't interested in the message this movie brings. Shallow."

Another comment read, "This is the most tone deaf thing I've ever seen. This movie is about domestic violence, why are you promoting it like it's a Barbie movie?"

Others emphasized the missed opportunity to use the film's platform to raise awareness about domestic violence. "You are being tone deaf about domestic violence. This could have been a huge opportunity to bring awareness to DV, and you choose to blatantly ignore it," one critic noted.

The film's promotional strategy has left many fans disappointed, with some even vowing to boycott Lively's future projects. "Very disappointed in the way you are promoting this movie. I loved you as an actress but won't be watching any of your movies anymore," said one user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.