It Ends with Us (film)

Lily Bloom delivers a eulogy at her father, Andrew's, funeral. From the podium, she announces that she will list five of her favorite things about him. After standing in silence for several seconds, she walks off.

Back home in Boston, she meets neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. They flirt until he is called away for emergency surgery. While renovating the building that will become her flower shop, Lily meets Allysa. She hires Allysa and learns that she is Ryle's sister.

At Allysa's birthday party, Ryle tells Lily that he is infatuated with her. They kiss, but she declines to sleep with him, saying that he is only interested in casual sex, whereas she wants a relationship. She spends the night at his apartment and accepts his invitation to date him the next morning. Ryle convinces her to introduce him to her mother, Jenny, at a new restaurant called Root. There, Lily discovers that the owner and head chef is her former boyfriend, Atlas Corrigan.

Flashbacks reveal that Andrew had physically abused Jenny and that Lily had found Atlas living in an empty house next door after he had run away from his mother's abusive boyfriend. They fell in love, and upon finding them in bed together, Andrew severely beat Atlas. Atlas joined the Marines.

One morning, Ryle burns his hand while cooking breakfast for Lily. When she tries to help, he slaps her, but he immediately apologizes, insisting that it was an accident. While Ryle, Lily, Allysa and her husband Marshall are dining at Root, Atlas notices Lily's bruised eye and Ryle's bandaged hand. He confronts Lily, imploring her to leave Ryle. When Ryle finds them together, he assumes the worst and a physical altercation breaks out, culminating in Atlas ejecting Ryle.

Atlas visits Lily's shop, gives her his phone number and tells her to call him if she ever needs to. Lily confides in Ryle that her father abused her mother. While visiting Allysa and Marshall in a hospital after the birth of their daughter, Lily accepts Ryle's proposal of marriage. Soon after, they elope. Ryle later finds Atlas's phone number hidden in Lily's phone case. During an ensuing argument, Ryle pushes Lily down the stairs. He later claims that she fell and that he tried to catch her.

Atlas is interviewed by a local magazine, telling them that he named his restaurant in Lily's honor. In a jealous rage, Ryle tries to rape Lily. She escapes and seeks out Atlas, who takes her to a hospital, where she discovers that she is pregnant. Lily stays with Atlas for a few days, during which time he reveals that he had planned to kill himself on the night she found him, but that she had inspired him to carry on living.

When Lily opens up to Allysa about Ryle's treatment of her, Allysa reveals that, as a child, Ryle had accidentally shot and killed their brother, Emerson, which led to unresolved trauma manifesting as uncontrollable bouts of rage. She insists that Lily does not take Ryle back. Lily moves out, but Ryle implores her to return, promising to seek help and stop the abuse.

Lily gives birth to a daughter, whom they name Emerson. She tells Ryle that she wants a divorce, and he initially resists, but eventually agrees when she asks him how he would react if their daughter were to be abused by a partner. Lily hopes that she has broken the cycle of abuse in her family and tells her daughter, 'It ends with us.'

Months later, Lily and Jenny take Emerson to visit Andrew's grave, where Lily leaves a blank eulogy on his headstone. She meets Atlas at the farmers' market. She tells him that she is no longer with Ryle, and they smile at each other.

• Blake Lively as Lily Bloom
• Isabela Ferrer as young Lily
• Justin Baldoni as Ryle Kincaid
• Jenny Slate as Allysa
• Brandon Sklenar as Atlas Corrigan
• Alex Neustaedter as young Atlas
• Hasan Minhaj as Marshall
• Kevin McKidd{{Cite news |last=Nicholson |first=Amy |date=August 7, 2024 |title='It Ends With Us' is glittery and traumatic. And, oh, those abs. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/2024/08/07/it-ends-with-us-movie-hoover/ |access-date=August 7, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-date=August 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811192535/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/2024/08/07/it-ends-with-us-movie-hoover/ |url-status=live}} as Andrew Bloom
• Amy Morton{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Phillips (critic) |date=July 18, 2023 |title=Column: Chicago mainstay Amy Morton on the actors' strike: 'We're mad. And we're fed up.' |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2023/07/18/column-chicago-mainstay-amy-morton-on-the-actors-strike-were-mad-and-were-fed-up/ |access-date=June 26, 2024 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |archive-date=June 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626033339/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2023/07/18/column-chicago-mainstay-amy-morton-on-the-actors-strike-were-mad-and-were-fed-up/ |url-status=live}} as Jenny Bloom
• Robert Clohessy as the Sheriff
• Robyn Lively as Ms. Byland
• Emily Baldoni as Dr. Julie

In July 2019, Justin Baldoni optioned the novel for a film adaptation, to be produced through his Wayfarer Studios company.{{Cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=July 15, 2019|title=Justin Baldoni Developing 'It Ends With Us' Romance Movie|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-movie-jane-the-virgin-1203268293/|access-date=February 11, 2022|website=Variety|archive-date=September 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905013609/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-movie-jane-the-virgin-1203268293/|url-status=live}} In January 2023, Blake Lively was cast in the role of Lily Bloom. Baldoni, who plays Ryle Kincaid, also signed on as director with Christy Hall adapting the script.{{cite news|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=January 26, 2023|title=Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni To Star In 'It Ends With Us'; Baldoni Also Directing Sony And Wayfarer Studios' Adaptation Of Colleen Hoover Novel|url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-sony-wayfarer-studios-adaptation-colleen-hoover-it-ends-with-us-1235242008/|work=Deadline|access-date=January 26, 2023|archive-date=January 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127003250/https://deadline.com/2023/01/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-sony-wayfarer-studios-adaptation-colleen-hoover-it-ends-with-us-1235242008/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Zhan|first=Jennifer|date=January 26, 2023|title=The It Ends With Us Movie Ends Up Casting Blake Lively|url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/01/it-ends-with-us-movie-casts-blake-lively-justin-baldoni.html|work=Vulture|access-date=January 26, 2023|archive-date=January 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127020514/http://www.vulture.com/2023/01/it-ends-with-us-movie-casts-blake-lively-justin-baldoni.html|url-status=live}} In April 2023, Brandon Sklenar was cast to play the role of Atlas.{{cite news|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=April 20, 2023|title='1923' Breakout Brandon Sklenar To Play Atlas Corrigan In Sony And Wayfarer's Adaptation Of 'It Ends With Us' Starring Blake Lively|url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/192-brandon-sklenar-atlas-corrigan-sony-wayfarers-of-it-ends-with-us-blake-lively-1235332753/|work=Deadline|access-date=April 21, 2023|archive-date=April 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421041254/https://deadline.com/2023/04/192-brandon-sklenar-atlas-corrigan-sony-wayfarers-of-it-ends-with-us-blake-lively-1235332753/|url-status=live}}

Principal photography began in Hoboken, New Jersey, on May 5, 2023,{{cite magazine|last1=Campano|first1=Leah|last2=Oh|first2=Hannah|date=May 16, 2023|orig-date=January 27, 2023|title=Everything We Know About the Film Adaptation of Colleen Hoover's "It Ends With Us"|url=https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a42686848/it-ends-with-us-film-colleen-hoover/|magazine=Seventeen|access-date=May 16, 2023|archive-date=June 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612155403/https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a42686848/it-ends-with-us-film-colleen-hoover/|url-status=live}} with shooting taking place along 10th and Bloomfield Streets. The production took over Field Colony, a workspace and art gallery, for six weeks, transforming it into a cafe then Lily Bloom's florist shop. In mid-May 2023, filming moved to Chatham, New Jersey, where scenes were shot at Fair Mount Cemetery.{{Cite web |last=Wallace |first=Amanda |date=January 18, 2024 |title='It Ends with Us': Filming spots around the state, a NJ-born actor, and new release date |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/01/18/it-ends-with-us-movie-filming-locations-nj/72254149007/ |access-date=December 17, 2024 |website=NorthJersey.com |language=en-US |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718051808/https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/01/18/it-ends-with-us-movie-filming-locations-nj/72254149007/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Lissner |first=Caren |date=May 11, 2023 |title='It Ends With Us' Film Transforms Hoboken Art Gallery |url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/hoboken/it-ends-us-film-transforms-hoboken-art-gallery |access-date=December 17, 2024 |website=Patch |language=en |publication-place=Hoboken, NJ}} Later that same month, Hasan Minhaj was announced to have joined the cast.{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=May 24, 2023 |title='It Ends With Us' Adaptation At Sony And Wayfarer Studios Adds Hasan Minhaj To Cast |url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/it-ends-with-us-sony-hasan-minhaj-1235379074/ |access-date=June 26, 2024 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815140935/https://deadline.com/2023/05/it-ends-with-us-sony-hasan-minhaj-1235379074/ |url-status=live }} The next month, production had to temporarily pause due to the 2023 WGA strike.{{cite web |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr |title=Blake Lively Pic It Ends With Us Paused By WGA Pickets; Reports Of Mission: Impossible 8 Stoppage Untrue |url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/blake-lively-film-it-ends-with-us-halted-by-wga-pickets-mission-impossible-8-postponement-reports-false-1235416306/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20230613220623/https://deadline.com/2023/06/blake-lively-film-it-ends-with-us-halted-by-wga-pickets-mission-impossible-8-postponement-reports-false-1235416306/ |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |date=June 13, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=June 13, 2023 }} Just over half of the film was completed when production shut down.{{cite magazine|last=Piña|first=Christy|date=July 7, 2023|title='It Ends With Us' Sets 2024 Release Date|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/it-ends-with-us-release-date-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-1235531035/|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=July 8, 2023|archive-date=August 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827102010/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/it-ends-with-us-release-date-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-1235531035/|url-status=live}} The production was still on hold when the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike began on July 14, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Umberto |date=July 14, 2023 |title=Here Are All The Movies Affected by the SAG-AFTRA Strike From Deadpool 3 to Mission: Impossible 8 (Photos) |url=https://www.thewrap.com/sag-aftra-strike-movies-affected-deadpool-3-mi8/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714014112/https://www.thewrap.com/sag-aftra-strike-movies-affected-deadpool-3-mi8/ |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |access-date=September 28, 2023 |website=TheWrap}} Filming resumed in the Newport neighborhood of Jersey City, New Jersey, on January 5, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Farina |first=Danielle |date=January 5, 2024 |title=Casting Call for It Ends With Us; Filming Next Week in Jersey City |url=https://www.hobokengirl.com/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-jersey-city-new-jersey/ |access-date=April 6, 2024 |website=The Hoboken Girl |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815140939/https://www.hobokengirl.com/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-jersey-city-new-jersey/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Wallace |first=Amanda |date=January 18, 2024 |title='It Ends with Us': Filming spots around the state, a NJ-born actor, and new release date |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/01/18/it-ends-with-us-movie-filming-locations-nj/72254149007/ |access-date=July 18, 2024 |website=NorthJersey.com |archive-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718051808/https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/01/18/it-ends-with-us-movie-filming-locations-nj/72254149007/ |url-status=live }} That same month, Isabela Ferrer and Alex Neustaedter joined the cast as the younger versions of Lily and Atlas, respectively.{{Cite web |date=January 16, 2024 |title=Isabela Ferrer And Alex Neustaedter To Play Young Lily And Young Atlas In Sony And Wayfarer's Adaptation Of 'It Ends With Us' |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/isabela-ferrer-alex-neustaeder-young-lily-young-atlas-it-ends-with-us-1235794239/ |access-date=January 16, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=August 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809223922/https://deadline.com/2024/01/isabela-ferrer-alex-neustaeder-young-lily-young-atlas-it-ends-with-us-1235794239/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main|It Ends with Us (soundtrack)}}

Rob Simonsen and Duncan Blickenstaff composed the film's score. Madison Gate Records released the soundtrack, coinciding with the film's theatrical release date.{{Cite web |date=August 8, 2024 |title='It Ends with Us' Soundtrack Album Details |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/08/08/it-ends-with-us-soundtrack-album-details/ |access-date=August 10, 2024 |website=Film Music Reporter |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808155810/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/08/08/it-ends-with-us-soundtrack-album-details/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main|It Ends with Us controversy}}

During her promotional tour for the film, Lively received criticism from social media users who accused her of being "tone-deaf" for displaying a "light-hearted humorous" attitude and not explicitly addressing her character's experience of domestic violence and abuse. Users were also critical of Lively for promoting her new haircare line, as well as her alcoholic drinks brand, during the press tour, and for encouraging movie-goers to wear floral clothes, which some deemed insensitive to the film's messaging surrounding domestic violence. Following the criticism, Lively posted to her Instagram story in support of victims of intimate partner violence and shared a link to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.{{Cite web |last=Butt |first=Maira |date=August 14, 2024 |title=Blake Lively reacts to backlash to 'tone deaf' publicity for new film It Ends With Us |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-justin-baldoni-b2596165.html |access-date=August 14, 2024 |website=The Independent |archive-date=August 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814170215/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-justin-baldoni-b2596165.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Erbland |first=Kate |date=August 16, 2024 |title='It Ends with Us' Is a Movie About Domestic Violence, So Why Are Blake Lively and Colleen Hoover Acting Like It Isn't? |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/commentary/it-ends-with-us-movie-marketed-blake-lively-colleen-hoover-1235036893/ |access-date=August 17, 2024 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last=Jones |first=CT |date=August 8, 2024 |title=How Do You Market a Domestic Violence Movie? Not Like 'It Ends With Us' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/it-ends-with-us-drama-domestic-romance-film-blake-lively-1235076583/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240808223031/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/it-ends-with-us-drama-domestic-romance-film-blake-lively-1235076583/ |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |access-date=August 17, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} Bridgette Stumpf of The Hollywood Reporter wrote on the issue, "By glossing over its domestic violence content in the film's marketing, and by not providing any content warnings prior to the start of the film, It Ends With Us ultimately fails the survivors it is supposed to advocate for."{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/it-ends-with-us-warned-audiences-1235979133/|title=It Ends With Us Should Have Warned Audiences Ahead of Time|date=August 20, 2024|first=Bridgette|last=Stumpf|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=August 20, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830203638/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/it-ends-with-us-warned-audiences-1235979133/|url-status=live}}

{{Multiple image|total_width=300

| image1 = Blake Lively in 2011.JPG

| alt1 = Blake Lively in 2011

| image2 = Justin Baldoni in 2017.jpg

| alt2 = Justin Baldoni in 2017

| footer = Actress Blake Lively (left; pictured in 2011) and director Justin Baldoni (pictured in 2017)

}}

Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that an alleged conflict formed between Lively and Baldoni during post-production after the film underwent a week of reshoots and Lively commissioned a second cut of the film from editor Shane Reid.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us-drama-what-we-know-1235969708/|title=Did Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni Have a Rift Over It Ends With Us? Sleuthing TikTokers Think So|date=August 8, 2024|first=Carly|last=Thomas|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=August 13, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/it-ends-with-us-sequel-movie-it-starts-with-us-1235979725/|title=It Ends With Us Franchise Might End With Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni Feud|date=August 21, 2024|first1=Carly|last1=Thomas|first2=Aaron|last2=Couch|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=August 21, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830005314/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/it-ends-with-us-sequel-movie-it-starts-with-us-1235979725/|url-status=live}} Reid had previously worked on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) starring Lively's husband, Ryan Reynolds, and the Lively-directed Taylor Swift music video "I Bet You Think About Me". The edit used in theaters, reportedly the version Lively preferred, was credited to Oona Flaherty and Robb Sullivan.

In addition, the publication confirmed that Reynolds wrote "a large chunk" of the dialogue for a scene set on a roof, allegedly in April 2023 before the WGA strike, which Baldoni was not told of.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/it-ends-with-us-sequel-in-doubt-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-feud-1236114099/|title=It Ends With Us Sequel in Doubt Amid Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni Feud: 'There's Probably No World Where They Work Together Again'|date=August 27, 2024|first1=Rebecca|last1=Rubin|first2=Tatiana|last2=Siegel|website=Variety|access-date=August 27, 2024|archive-date=August 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830195214/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/it-ends-with-us-sequel-in-doubt-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-feud-1236114099/|url-status=live}} Speculation about the alleged rift grew on platforms such as TikTok (where the book was massively popular among the "BookTok" subcommunity){{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/it-ends-with-us-blake-lively-1236037203/|title=It Ends With Us: How Blake Lively Was 'A Creative Tour De Force' In Transforming Colleen Hoover Novel Into A Motion Picture Event|date=August 11, 2024|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=August 13, 2024|archive-date=August 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812135156/https://deadline.com/2024/08/it-ends-with-us-blake-lively-1236037203/|url-status=live}} in videos that noted Baldoni's absence from joint press events. In August 2024, Baldoni hired public relations crisis manager Melissa Nathan.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/justin-baldoni-hires-pr-crisis-manager-melissa-nathan-it-ends-with-us-1235973715/|title=Justin Baldoni Hires Crisis PR Veteran Amid Alleged It Ends With Us Rift|date=August 13, 2024|first1=Carly|last1=Thomas|first2=Pamela|last2=McClintock|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=August 13, 2024}} Sources told Variety that while they would not "articulate any legitimate transgressions from either party" that "the bad blood between the two is very real and the relationship may not be salvageable".

On December 20, 2024, Lively filed a legal complaint with the California Civil Rights Department accusing Baldoni, producer Jamey Heath, and their studio Wayfarer of creating a hostile work environment and retaliating against her for reporting misconduct. According to the filings, she claimed Baldoni had improvised unwanted kissing and discussed his sex life, Heath had shown her a video of his wife giving birth naked, and both men repeatedly entered her makeup trailer uninvited while she was undressed, including when she was breastfeeding, among other inappropriate actions.{{cite act |title=Lively v. Wayfarer Studios LLC et al. |type=Legal Complaint |date=December 20, 2024 |institution=California Civil Rights Department |url=https://static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics/documenttools/1629cc34e562e325/4410b1d9-full.pdf |access-date=December 21, 2024}} Documents obtained by Lively via subpoena claimed to show that Baldoni and his agents ran a public relations campaign to damage her reputation, which involved social media manipulation, planting negative stories, and amplifying criticism of her. Lively alleged that this was done in retaliation for her raising concerns and seeking protections on set.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/21/business/media/blake-lively-justin-baldoni-it-ends-with-us.html|title='We Can Bury Anyone': Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine|date=December 21, 2024|first1=Megan|last1=Twohey|author-link1=Megan Twohey|first2=Mike|last2=McIntire|first3=Julie|last3=Tate|website=The New York Times|access-date=December 21, 2024}}

Lively's complaint, though filed privately, was published the following day in a The New York Times exposé by Megan Twohey, Mike McIntire and Julie Tate under the title "We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Machine."

Baldoni was dropped by the talent agency WME in response to the allegations and reporting; he denied the allegations through his lawyer.{{cite web |title=Justin Baldoni Dropped By WME Following Blake Lively's Sexual Harassment Complaint |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-baldoni-dropped-wme-blake-lively-sexual-harassment-complaint-1236240243/ |accessdate=December 22, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{cite web |title=Blake Lively Accuses 'It Ends With Us' Co-Star Justin Baldoni of Sexual Harassment; His Lawyer Slams 'Shameful' Complaint Full of 'False Accusations' |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/blake-lively-accuses-justin-baldoni-sexual-harassment-it-ends-with-us-1236257048/ |accessdate=December 22, 2024 |website=Variety}} The following day, Baldoni's publicist stated that his PR team had "sophomorically reveled" in the Lively coverage, yet "although we were prepared, we didn't have to do anything over the top to protect our client."{{Cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |last2=Patten |first2=Dominic |date=December 23, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni Rep Admits PR Team "Sophomorically Reveled" Against Blake Lively, But Claims No Smear Campaign Despite Sexual Harassment Allegations |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-balboni-blake-lively-latest-1236240921/ |access-date=December 23, 2024 |work=Deadline}}

Lively's civil rights complaint also named businessman Steve Sarowitz, a co-founder of Wayfarer Studio; Jed Wallace and his company Street Relations Inc; crisis manager Melissa Nathan and her company The Agency Group PR LLC; and publicist Jennifer Abel and her company RWA Communications. She also filed a lawsuit against the same, except Wallace and Street Relations, alleging sexual harassment, planned public smear campaign, and causing her emotional distress.

Baldoni's former publicist Stephanie Jones also filed a defamation lawsuit which alleged that her former employee Jennifer Abel and crisis communications manager Melissa Nathan attempted to cover up Baldoni's on-set behavior while It Ends With Us was being filmed. Jones' lawsuit also alleged that efforts were made to undermine her reputation.{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/justin-baldoni-defamation-lawsuit-publicist-blake-lively-1236241784/|title=Justin Baldoni Hit With Defamation Suit As PR Teams Turn On Each Other Over Blake Lively's 'It Ends With Us' Smear Campaign Allegations|first=Dominic|last=Patten|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 24, 2024|accessdate=December 24, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Twohey |first1=Megan |last2=McIntire |first2=Mike |date=December 24, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni's Ex-Publicist Sues Over Alleged Smear Campaign |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/business/justin-baldoni-publicist-blake-lively-lawsuit.html |access-date=December 24, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}

On December 31, 2024, Baldoni and the other plaintiffs responded with a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times, saying that the newspaper had defamed them by publishing "'cherry-picked' and altered communications" which were "stripped of necessary context and deliberately spliced to mislead".{{Cite news |last=Twohey |first=Megan |last2=McIntire |first2=Mike |date=January 1, 2025 |title='It Ends With Us' Actor and Director and His Publicists Sue The Times for Libel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/01/us/justin-baldoni-blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-new-york-times-lawsuit.html |access-date=January 9, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last=Kreutz |first=Liz |last2=Hamedy |first2=Saba |last3=Rosenblatt |first3=Kalhan |date=January 3, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni's attorney blasts New York Times story about Blake Lively 'smear campaign' story |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/justin-baldonis-attorney-blasts-new-york-times-blake-lively-story-rcna186064 |access-date=March 31, 2025 |website=NBC News}} His team produced alleged documents, claiming the texts published between Abel and Nathan had been taken out of context and omitted crucial texts and emojis from the full discussion. The legal filing also produced Lively's alleged texts to Baldoni, one of which invited him in while she was "pumping in my trailer".{{Cite web |last=Siegel |first=Tatiana |date=December 31, 2024 |title=Justin Baldoni Files $250 Million Lawsuit Against New York Times Over Blake Lively Story: It Relied on Her 'Self-Serving Narrative' (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/justin-baldoni-sues-new-york-times-blake-lively-allegations-story-1236263099/ |access-date=March 31, 2025 |website=Variety}}

Bryan Freedman, Baldoni's attorney in the lawsuit against The New York Times, in an interview with Megyn Kelly, suggested that they were planning to sue Lively "into oblivion", and sue several others in the case as well, including Stephanie Jones and Ryan Reynolds.[https://www.megynkelly.com/watch/ep-977-secrets-of-disgusting-media-and-explosive-new-details-about-blake-lively-lawsuit/ The Megyn Kelly Show Ep. 977], second half of the show contains the Freedman interview, vow to countersue begins at approximately 1:41:31. Freedman alleged that Reynolds' character of Nicepool in Deadpool & Wolverine was based on Baldoni, given their nearly identical hairstyle and jokes in regards to Lively's Ladypool character and her baby.{{Cite web |last=Garner |first=Glenn |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Justin Baldoni's Lawyer Says Ryan Reynolds Based 'Deadpool & Wolverine' Role On Actor: "No Question" |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/justin-baldoni-lawyer-says-ryan-reynolds-based-deadpool-wolverine-role-actor-1236251983/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109034257/https://deadline.com/2025/01/justin-baldoni-lawyer-says-ryan-reynolds-based-deadpool-wolverine-role-actor-1236251983/ |archive-date=January 9, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} On January 16, 2025, Baldoni filed a lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds and Leslie Sloane, Lively's PR representative, alleging extortion, defamation and breach of contract, seeking at least $400 million in damages.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/justin-baldoni-lawsuit-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-it-ends-with-us-1236110581/ |title=Justin Baldoni Files $400M Lawsuit Against Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Over Alleged Smear Campaign |last=Cho |first=Winston |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 16, 2025 |access-date=January 26, 2025}}

On January 23, Lively's legal team filed a gag order against Freedman, accusing him of continuing to engage in a smear campaign against Lively by repeatedly revealing information to the press.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/it-ends-with-us-saga-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-seek-gag-order-bryan-freedman-1236115728/ |title=Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Seek Gag Order Against Justin Baldoni's Lawyer Bryan Freedman |last1=Cho |first1=Winston |last2=McCLintock |first2=Pamela |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 23, 2025 |access-date=January 26, 2025}}

It Ends with Us premiered at the AMC Lincoln Square in New York City on August 6, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Gomez |first=Dessi |date=August 6, 2024 |title='It Ends With Us' New York Premiere Red Carpet Photos: Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Justin Baldoni, Brandon Sklenar & More |url=https://deadline.com/gallery/it-ends-with-us-premiere-red-carpet-photos/it-ends-with-us-new-york-premiere-12/ |access-date=August 25, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} The film was originally set to be released theatrically in the United States on February 9, 2024, and June 21, 2024,{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|title=Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni Movie Colleen Hoover's 'It Ends With Us' Heads To Summer|url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-release-date-change-1235712811/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 10, 2024|access-date=January 10, 2024|archive-date=January 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114120651/https://deadline.com/2024/01/blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-release-date-change-1235712811/|url-status=live}} but the release date was pushed back to August 9, 2024.{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|title=Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni Romance 'It Ends With Us' Will Now Begin In Early August|url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-release-date-2-1235886431/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 15, 2024|access-date=April 15, 2024|archive-date=May 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531123429/https://deadline.com/2024/04/blake-lively-it-ends-with-us-release-date-2-1235886431/|url-status=live}} It was released earlier on August 7 in Belgium,{{Cite web |title=Jamais Plus, un secouant drame romantique avec Blake Lively |url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/jamais-plus-un-secouant-drame-romantique-avec-blake-lively-11414344 |access-date=August 7, 2024 |website=RTBF |language=fr |archive-date=August 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807211310/https://www.rtbf.be/article/jamais-plus-un-secouant-drame-romantique-avec-blake-lively-11414344 |url-status=live}} Finland,{{Cite web |date=July 22, 2024 |title=Blake Lively tähdittää lapsuuden traumoista kertovaa romanttista draamaa – katso traileri |url=https://www.episodi.fi/uutiset/blake-lively-tahdittaa-lapsuuden-traumoista-kertovaa-romanttista-draamaa-katso-traileri/ |access-date=August 7, 2024 |website=Episodi.fi |language=fi |archive-date=August 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807211309/https://www.episodi.fi/uutiset/blake-lively-tahdittaa-lapsuuden-traumoista-kertovaa-romanttista-draamaa-katso-traileri/ |url-status=live}} the Philippines,{{Cite web |date=May 31, 2024 |title='It Ends With Us' In Cinemas August 7 |url=https://dailyguardian.com.ph/?p=349400 |access-date=August 7, 2024 |website=Daily Guardian}} and Sweden.{{Cite web |date=August 7, 2024 |title=Kärleksfilm efter bästsäljare är trogen bokens starka känslor |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/RzjA8a |access-date=August 7, 2024 |website=www.aftonbladet.se |language=sv |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815140854/https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/film/a/RzjA8a/det-slutar-med-oss-filmrecension |url-status=live}}

It Ends with Us was released on VOD on September 24, 2024, and was released on Blu-ray and DVD on November 5, 2024.{{cite magazine |last=Lammers |first=Tim |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2024/09/23/blake-livelys-it-ends-with-us-debuts-on-digital-streaming-this-week/ |title=Blake Lively's 'It Ends With Us' Debuts On Digital Streaming This Week |magazine=Forbes |date=September 23, 2024 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |archive-date=September 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924020504/https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2024/09/23/blake-livelys-it-ends-with-us-debuts-on-digital-streaming-this-week/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last=Mercuri |first=Monica |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2024/09/24/it-ends-with-us-is-now-streaming-how-to-watch-the-blockbuster-film-at-home/ |title='It Ends With Us' Is Now Streaming—How To Watch The Blockbuster Film At Home |magazine=Forbes |date=September 24, 2024 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |archive-date=September 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924142525/https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2024/09/24/it-ends-with-us-is-now-streaming-how-to-watch-the-blockbuster-film-at-home/ |url-status=live }} It became available to stream starting on December 9 on Netflix.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/it-ends-with-us-netflix-streaming-release-date-how-to-watch-1236222774/|title='It Ends With Us' Sets Netflix Streaming Date in December|website=Variety|first=Matt|last=Minton|date=November 25, 2024|access-date=December 11, 2024}}

It Ends with Us grossed $148.5 million in the United States and Canada, and $202.5 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $351 million.{{Cite web|title=It Ends With Us – Financial Information|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/It-Ends-With-Us-(2024)#tab=summary|website=The Numbers|access-date=November 25, 2024|archive-date=August 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803035619/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/It-Ends-With-Us-(2024)#tab=summary|url-status=live}} Deadline Hollywood calculated the film's net profit as $207{{nbsp}}million, accounting for production budgets, marketing, and other costs; box office grosses, merchandise, television and streaming, and home media revenues placing it sixth on their list of 2024's "Most Valuable Blockbusters".{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2025/04/it-ends-with-us-movie-profit-1236377074/|title=‘It Ends With Us’ Is No. 6 On 2024’s Most Valuable Blockbuster List|date=April 25, 2025|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=April 25, 2025}}

In the United States and Canada, It Ends with Us was released alongside Borderlands and Cuckoo, and was projected to gross $23–30 million in its opening weekend, with some estimates going as high as $40–50 million. The film made $24 million on its first day, including $7 million from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $50 million, finishing second behind holdover Deadpool & Wolverine.{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=August 11, 2024 |title=Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively Box Office Battle Settles As 'Deadpool & Wolverine' Sees $54M+, 'It Ends With Us' Strong $50M; 'Borderlands' DOA – Sunday Update |url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/box-office-it-ends-with-us-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-1236034150/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812132636/https://deadline.com/2024/08/box-office-it-ends-with-us-blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-1236034150/ |archive-date=August 12, 2024 |access-date=August 11, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} It marked the first time since 1990 that two films separately starring a married Hollywood couple (in this case, It Ends with Us star Blake Lively and Deadpool & Wolverine star Ryan Reynolds) occupied the number one and two spots at the box office simultaneously, and the first time two films grossed at least $50 million in the same weekend in the month of August.{{cite news|url=https://people.com/ryan-reynolds-blake-lively-are-latest-married-couple-to-top-box-office-since-bruce-willis-demi-moore-1990-8693706|title=Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively Are First Married Couple to Top Box Office Since Bruce Willis and Demi Moore in 1990|first=Marina|last=Watts|publisher=People|date=August 11, 2024|accessdate=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811223103/https://people.com/ryan-reynolds-blake-lively-are-latest-married-couple-to-top-box-office-since-bruce-willis-demi-moore-1990-8693706|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/08/12/blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-it-ends-with-us-deadpool-and-wolverine-box-office/74765651007/|title=Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds mark first married couple to top box office in 34 years|first=Kelly|last=Lawler|publisher=USA Today|date=August 12, 2024|accessdate=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828010408/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2024/08/12/blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-it-ends-with-us-deadpool-and-wolverine-box-office/74765651007/|url-status=live}} In its second weekend the film made $23.8 million (a drop of 52.4%), finishing in third.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W33/|title=Domestic 2024 Weekend 33|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=August 20, 2024|archive-date=September 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906135425/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2024W33/|url-status=live}} The film crossed $100 million domestically on August 19, after eleven days in theaters.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/it-ends-with-us-box-office-milestone-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-1236112285/|title=It Ends With Us Crosses $100 Million at Domestic Box Office After 11 Days|date=August 20, 2024|first=Rebecca|last=Rubin|website=Variety|access-date=August 20, 2024|archive-date=August 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825200555/https://variety.com/2024/film/box-office/it-ends-with-us-box-office-milestone-blake-lively-justin-baldoni-1236112285/|url-status=live}} It ended its theatrical run after three months.

Reception of the film from critics was mixed.{{Cite web |title=It Ends With Us: The controversial blockbuster author portraying domestic abuse |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240808-it-ends-with-us-the-controversial-blockbuster-author-colleen-hoover-portraying-domestic-abuse |first=Charlotte |last=O'Sullivan |date=August 9, 2024 |access-date=August 17, 2024 |website=BBC |language=en-GB |archive-date=August 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816155542/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240808-it-ends-with-us-the-controversial-blockbuster-author-colleen-hoover-portraying-domestic-abuse |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Sperling |first=Nicole |date=August 11, 2024 |title='It Ends With Us,' a Romance Based on a Best Seller, Soars at the Box Office |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/11/business/media/it-ends-with-us-box-office.html |access-date=August 17, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last=Malhotra |first=Rahul |date=August 11, 2024 |title='It Ends with Us' Delivers Ceiling-Shattering Global Box Office Debut |url=https://collider.com/it-ends-with-us-global-box-office-80-million/ |access-date=August 17, 2024 |website=Collider |language=en |archive-date=August 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812225022/https://collider.com/it-ends-with-us-global-box-office-80-million/ |url-status=live }} {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|55|5.6|190|Earnestly performed if marred by clunky dialogue, It Ends with Us is surprisingly at its most graceful when handling the more provocative elements of its melodramatic source material.|ref=yes|access-date=March 22, 2025}} {{Metacritic film prose|53|42|ref=yes|access-date=August 26, 2024}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A–" on an A+ to F scale, while those surveyed by PostTrak gave it an 85% positive score, with 69% saying they would definitely recommend it.

Wendy Ide of The Observer gave the film three out of five stars, writing: "For a film that dips its Manolo-clad toe into the murky waters of domestic abuse, it's unexpectedly aspirational, almost frothy in tone."{{Cite news |last=Ide |first=Wendy |date=August 11, 2024 |title=It Ends With Us review – Blake Lively stars in oddly frothy domestic abuse drama |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/aug/11/it-ends-with-us-review-blake-lively-stars-in-oddly-frothy-domestic-abuse-drama-justin-baldoni |access-date=August 15, 2024 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712 |archive-date=August 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815140950/https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/aug/11/it-ends-with-us-review-blake-lively-stars-in-oddly-frothy-domestic-abuse-drama-justin-baldoni |url-status=live }} The Globe and Mail{{'}}s Johanna Schneller praised Lively's performance, writing: "Beyond nailing Lily's exact shade of auburn hair, funky/sexy dress and vision-notebook stuffed with flowers, she also conveys her luminousness and strength, and reminds you how pleasurable it can be to watch a romantic thriller."{{Cite news |last=Schneller |first=Johanna |author-link=Johanna Schneller |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Review: A committed Blake Lively almost makes Colleen Hoover's It Ends with Us work — almost |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/reviews/article-a-committed-blake-lively-almost-makes-colleen-hoovers-it-ends-with-us/ |access-date=August 15, 2024 |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA |archive-date=August 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814203426/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/reviews/article-a-committed-blake-lively-almost-makes-colleen-hoovers-it-ends-with-us/ |url-status=live }} Kevin Maher of The Times gave it 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "a glossy, sometimes soapy but always compelling adaptation."{{Cite web |last=Maher |first=Kevin |author-link=Kevin Maher (writer) |date=August 15, 2024 |title=It Ends With Us review — a dizzy, guilty pleasure |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/it-ends-with-us-film-review-blake-lively-vbmktrr07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240808204648/https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/it-ends-with-us-film-review-blake-lively-vbmktrr07 |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |access-date=August 15, 2024 |website=The Times |language=en}}

Hannah Giorgis of The Atlantic was more critical, writing: "To young people who have become inured to the misery of modern life, there's a seductive premise in these novels: Relentless suffering can give way to freedom—and hot sex—if women want it badly enough. On-screen, performed by real people, it's not as convincing."{{Cite web |last=Giorgis |first=Hannah |date=August 10, 2024 |title=It Should End Here |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2024/08/it-ends-with-us-review/679421/ |access-date=August 15, 2024 |website=The Atlantic |language=en |archive-date=August 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814221942/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2024/08/it-ends-with-us-review/679421/ |url-status=live }} The Sydney Morning Herald{{'}}s reviewer Sandra Hall gave the film two and a half out of five stars, saying that it was "packed with erotic cliches overlaid with a rolling soundtrack of pop hits that includes songs by Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey", and called the dialogue "risible".{{Cite news |last=Hall |first=Sandra |author-link=Sandra Hall (writer) |date=August 8, 2024 |title=When romance becomes abuse: Blake Lively's new film treads a dangerous line |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/abusive-or-romantic-blake-lively-s-new-film-treads-a-dangerous-line-20240806-p5jzwr.html |access-date=August 15, 2024 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |archive-date=August 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813053813/https://www.smh.com.au/culture/movies/abusive-or-romantic-blake-lively-s-new-film-treads-a-dangerous-line-20240806-p5jzwr.html |url-status=live }}

In August 2024, following the release of the film, director Justin Baldoni acknowledged the potential for a film adaptation of the sequel novel It Starts with Us. However, he later stated that he might not return in his role as director, suggesting that Blake Lively direct the film instead.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/EntertainmentTonight/videos/509011211621775/|work=Entertainment Tonight|title='It Ends With Us': What Justin Baldoni Hopes to Achieve With Blake Lively|author=Smith, Rachel|date=August 9, 2024|accessdate=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812125537/https://www.facebook.com/EntertainmentTonight/videos/509011211621775/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/justin-baldoni-directing-it-ends-with-us-sequel-blake-lively-1236035888/|work=Deadline|title=Justin Baldoni On Directing 'It Ends With Us' Sequel: "There Are Better People For That One, I Think Blake Lively's Ready To Direct"|author=Tinoco, Armando|date=August 9, 2024|accessdate=August 12, 2024|archive-date=August 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811212145/https://deadline.com/2024/08/justin-baldoni-directing-it-ends-with-us-sequel-blake-lively-1236035888/|url-status=live}} Baldoni's Wayfarer Studios holds the rights to It Ends with Us and It Starts with Us after acquiring them in 2019.

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Category:2024 romantic drama films

Category:2020s American films

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Category:American nonlinear narrative films

Category:American romantic drama films

Category:Columbia Pictures films

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Category:Films about domestic violence

Category:Films affected by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike

Category:Films affected by the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike

Category:Films based on American novels

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Category:Films directed by Justin Baldoni

Category:Films scored by Rob Simonsen

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