It Ends With Us Star Issues Statement on Controversy Amid Blake Lively Backlash

It Ends With Us star Brandon Sklenar, who plays one of the film’s love interests, broke his silence regarding online criticism co-star Blake Lively has received. In the wake of the film’s release, social media users felt that she hasn’t properly raised awareness against domestic violence.

What did It Ends With Us star say about the recent Blake Lively backlash?

Posted on his Instagram, Sklenar defended Lively, author Coleen Hoover, and rest of the film’s female cast, calling out everyone for “vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film.” For his full statement, you can check it out below:

It Ends With Us was directed by Justin Baldoni from a screenplay by Christy Hall. The film stars Lively as Lily Bloom, Baldoni as Ryle, Brandon Sklenar as Atlas, Jenny Slate as Alyssa, Hasan Minhaj as Marshall, and Amy Morton. It is executive produced by Baldoni, Lively, Hoover, Steve Sarowitz, Andrew Calof, and Andrea Ajemian, with Alex Saks, Jamey Heath, and Hall producing.

“The film tells the compelling story of Lily Bloom, a woman who overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life in Boston and chase a lifelong dream of opening her own business,” reads the synopsis. “A chance meeting with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid sparks an intense connection, but as the two fall deeply in love, Lily begins to see sides of Ryle that remind her of her parents’ relationship. When Lily’s first love, Atlas Corrigan, suddenly reenters her life, her relationship with Ryle is upended, and Lily realizes she must learn to rely on her own strength to make an impossible choice for her future.”