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What was the issue with It Ends With Us?

Published in Domestic Abuse Portrayal 2 mins read

The primary issue with the It Ends With Us movie revolves around significant criticism it has faced for allegedly glamorizing and irresponsibly portraying domestic abuse. Critics and audiences have voiced concerns that the film treats serious trauma as entertainment, leading to an exploitative and tone-deaf approach to a sensitive subject.

Core Concerns Regarding the Portrayal of Abuse

The criticism stems from how the film depicts the abusive relationship and its impacts. Specific instances of violence within the movie, such as a character being pushed down a flight of stairs and experiencing attempted rape, highlight the severity of the abuse presented.

  • Glamorization: Many critics argue that the movie's narrative, despite aiming to shed light on domestic violence, inadvertently romanticizes or minimizes the gravity of the abuse by focusing on certain aspects of the relationship.
  • Exploitation of Trauma: There is a strong sentiment that using real-world trauma, particularly domestic abuse, for entertainment purposes can feel deeply exploitative. It risks reducing complex, painful experiences to a plot device.
  • Irresponsibility and Tone-Deafness: The portrayal has been labeled as irresponsible for potentially failing to handle the subject matter with the necessary care and sensitivity. Critics highlight that such a depiction can be perceived as tone-deaf to the actual, devastating realities faced by victims of domestic abuse. When trauma is presented as entertainment, it can appear to disregard the profound impact and seriousness of the issue.

Why This Portrayal is Problematic

The concerns raised by viewers and critics underscore the critical responsibility filmmakers have when adapting stories involving sensitive topics like domestic violence. An insensitive portrayal can:

  • Misinform audiences: It may inadvertently shape a misleading understanding of abusive relationships.
  • Invalidate victims' experiences: Those who have experienced similar trauma might feel their pain is trivialized or misrepresented.
  • Hinder awareness efforts: Instead of fostering empathy and understanding, such portrayals can dilute the seriousness of domestic abuse.