“It Ends With Us,” a 2024 American romantic drama film, grossed $100 million domestically on Aug. 19, 2024. That was only 11 days after its release, according to Variety. The film, based on a novel by Colleen Hoover, depicts a love story that turns abusive, with themes of domestic violence and emotional abuse. Justin Baldoni directed the film and played the role of Ryle Kincaid, while Blake Lively played the role of Ryle’s lover, Lily Bloom.
On Dec. 20, 2024, Lively said Baldoni had sexually harassed her, according to ABC News. She also said Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, ran a smear campaign to damage her reputation.
Baldoni responded with a lawsuit against The New York Times for its coverage of Lively’s initial suit, according to ABC News. In January 2025, Baldoni filed a separate suit, suing Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for $400 million. In the suit, Baldon said Lively had unfairly damaged his reputation in order to take control of the film.
In June of 2025, a judge dismissed Baldoni’s lawsuits against both the New York Times and Lively and Reynolds, according to ABC News. Lively’s suit against Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios is ongoing. The trial date is currently set for March 2026.
The legal drama between Baldoni and Lively represents a larger issue in Hollywood. Whether Baldoni is guilty is unknown. But if Lively’s claims of sexual harassment are true, then this is symbolic of the larger #MeToo movement. Other scandals, including Harvey Weinstein’s history of sexual abuse, have also shaken Hollywood.
Others claim that Blake Lively is ruining the #MeToo movement, which raised awareness about the rampant sexual violence and discrimination that women have faced for centuries. The movement emphasizes believing victims and dismantling institutions that enable abuse. As the drama between Baldoni and Lively continues to unfold, several discrepancies have emerged in Lively’s account. For example, Lively accused Baldoni of making her uncomfortable during a scene, according to USA Today. But later, when the footage was released, much of Lively’s accusation seemed to take the scene out of context.
Michael Pezzulo, a trauma therapist, said in his blog that “While we should always take accusations seriously and ensure that victims feel heard, we must also hold space for the possibility that the accused may not be guilty. We cannot allow the court of public opinion to replace the legal system.”
The #MeToo movement reveals that public opinion can be a force for good, but the presumption of innocence must remain until the accused is proven guilty. The issue of sexual harassment, assault or violence is still inexcusable, and the predator should never get away without consequences, no matter how well-liked they may be. In the same regard, the rights of the accused, until proven guilty, should be protected just as much as the rights of the accuser. Women who lie, although the percentage is slim, undermine the rights of those who experience credible trauma and abuse, further adding to the existing stigma.
Baldoni’s hyper-transparency has cast immense criticism on the credibility of Lively’s claims, leading society to weigh the evidence for what it is, rather than solely relying on Lively’s accusations. Others have mentioned the complicated nature of the case. According to Forbes, “One noteworthy aspect of the Lively-Baldoni dispute that is distinct from many of the claims that started the #MeToo movement (such as those against Harvey Weinstein) is that here, the accuser is an A-list celebrity who holds more stature and power than Baldoni, the alleged perpetrator.” Another distinction is that the movie included intimate and sexual scenes, blurring the line between fact and fiction and making Lively’s claims harder to assess.
No matter who is telling the truth, the Baldoni and Lively drama has captivated Hollywood and brought into question how society treats the accused. While the #MeToo movement is incredibly significant, we must ensure that the truth is pursued. If accusers lie, victims of legitimate abuse suffer, as society will be less inclined to believe them, And the accused may suffer life-long reputational damage.
