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Kyley Michele

Hollywood’s Betrayal of Domestic Violence Survivors

The haunting struggle and the silenced voices of domestic violence survivors.
The haunting struggle and the silenced voices of domestic violence survivors. [Image generated using DALL·E by OpenAI]
In a world increasingly aware of the realities of domestic violence (DV), It Ends With Us could have been a groundbreaking cultural milestone. The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestseller had the potential to amplify the voices of survivors and spark vital conversations about intimate partner violence (IPV). But instead of offering the DV community a moment of global awareness, it became overshadowed by controversy, poor marketing decisions, and the very Hollywood theatrics survivors often fight to escape.
From the beginning, the promotion of It Ends With Us was tone-deaf. Lighthearted floral imagery and whimsical campaigns clashed with the gravity of its subject matter, trivializing the story’s harrowing themes. Critics argued that this disconnect was compounded when Blake Lively promoted her haircare brand during the film’s release period, further detracting from the film’s central message. Instead of using her platform to emphasize the seriousness of IPV, the focus shifted to commercialism, leaving many feeling the message was lost in marketing noise.
Then came the explosive legal battle between the film’s stars, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, which only deepened the disillusionment. Lively’s response to Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit introduced a term familiar within the DV community: DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender). She claimed Baldoni’s lawsuit was a retaliatory attempt to silence her allegations of on-set harassment and misconduct, framing his legal action as part of an “abuser playbook.” While Lively sought to defend her position, the ensuing public conflict dominated headlines, pulling focus away from the critical issues of abuse and resilience that the film was supposed to spotlight.
This high-profile feud exemplified how the voices of survivors are often overshadowed by the noise of personal disputes. What could have been an opportunity to address a global health crisis became a Hollywood spectacle, with the survivor community left to shoulder the fallout. The numbers paint a grim picture: one in three women globally experiences physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and intimate partner violence is a leading cause of injury and death for women worldwide. In Israel, where one in ten women suffers from IPV, the system tasked with protecting victims remains underfunded and overwhelmed.
Films like It Ends With Us hold immense potential to bring attention to these statistics, ignite empathy, and drive change. But that potential is squandered when the focus shifts to legal battles and tone-deaf promotions. Survivors need their stories told with authenticity and respect—not co-opted into branding opportunities or sidelined by sensational disputes.
For those of us in the DV community, the frustration is profound. We know how powerful stories can be in breaking cycles of abuse, shifting public attitudes, and inspiring systemic reform. The mishandling of It Ends With Us was more than a missed opportunity; it was a betrayal of those who hoped the film might give voice to their experiences.
In the end, It Ends With Us didn’t end the silence or catalyze the movement it could have. Instead, it became a cautionary tale of how Hollywood’s priorities can silence even the most pressing conversations. For survivors, the fight for visibility continues, and the hope remains that one day, our voices will rise above the noise.
About the Author
Kyley is a survivor, advocate, and mother fighting to break the silence on domestic abuse and expose the systemic failures that keep survivors trapped.
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