Blake Lively’s New Movie Is About to Be the Biggest Film in America (Even if Her Costar Steals the Show)

It's hard to overstate just how much of a power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds really are. Reynolds (A-list star, soccer team owner and internet troll) is currently crushing it at the box office with his blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine. Meanwhile, Lively (A-list star, fashion icon and, also, internet troll) is set to dominate on the movie scene with her long anticipated film, It Ends with Us.

How do I know It Ends with Us is about to be a massive hit? Though the movie opens tomorrow, there were a number of exclusive advanced screenings last night—and afterwards, my Instagram Stories were full of my friends posting about the film and how everyone should "bring tissues."

I also had the good fortune to take in a screening and, oof, they weren't wrong about the tissues. Here, my honest review, including who I think is the true standout star of the film (besides Blake, of course).

The new Lively film is based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling romance novel of the same name. The movie adaptation of the book (directed by Justin Baldoni) follows Lily Bloom (Lively) who meets and falls for a charming neurosurgeon named Ryle (Baldoni). The two pursue a romantic relationship, but their happily-ever-after comes to a halt when Lily's childhood ex, Atlas (Brandon Sklenar), comes strolling back into her life.

I don't want to give away more of the plot. As those who have read the book know, there are quite a few twists (that I didn't see coming). But needless to say, the drama is a true tearjerker, toggling between rom-com vibes and heartbreaking scenes. And a trigger warning, the film does include scenes of domestic abuse.

First of all, this cast is a stacked one. Lively, obviously, wows in her layered and nuanced performance as Lily. Baldoni (along with his abs) is truly a sight to behold on screen. Sklenar plays his part well, but is somewhat lackluster and often an afterthought, especially when compared to his costars.

And speaking of costars, I need to talk about Jenny Slate, who IMHO completely steals the show.

Let me just say I've been obsessed with Slate for a long time, ever since she was fired from SNL after swearing on live TV (for the record I do not think she should've been canned). I loved her in her Funny or Die series Bestie x Bestie. She had me cackling in her YouTube series turned Oscar-nominated film Marcel the Shell with Shoes on. And of course I loved her on Parks and Rec and in her small but memorable role in Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Now, in It Ends with Us, Slate plays Lily's employee and new BFF, Allysa, who also happens to be Ryle's sister.

Slate is so good in this movie. It's really hard not to watch her the entire time in every one of her scenes. She brings the comedy (which is much needed in a film like this) with the smallest of facial tics or the biggest of comedic choices. Her first scene where she enters Lily's flower shop and confesses to hating flowers is just genius. But she doesn't stop at bringing the laughs—Slate genuinely gets to stretch her acting chops throughout the film (yes, even this comedy queen will have you reaching for those tissues my friends mentioned).

Slate and Lively also clearly have great chemistry (their moments together are some of my favorites). Here's hoping they share the screen again very very soon.

It Ends with Us is a beautiful but tough watch (for reasons of the emotional variety, not the filmmaking variety). The performances are super solid (especially from Lively and Slate) and for those who haven't read the book, the twists in the second half of the film are fast and furious.

It Ends with Us officially hits theaters August 9.

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