Many fans are eager to understand the changes made to the It Ends With Us ending, particularly how it differs from the novel. The adaptation, directed by Justin Baldoni, introduces significant shifts in the story, especially concerning Ryle. These alterations have sparked discussions among viewers about their impact on the protagonists’ lives.
What exactly are the changes, and how does Ryle’s fate differ in the movie compared to the novel? All the details are provided here.
What happened at the end of It Ends with Us?
At the conclusion of It Ends With Us, Lily makes a decisive choice to protect herself and her daughter by cutting Ryle out of their lives entirely.
After giving birth to her daughter, Emerson, Lily asks Ryle for a divorce and chooses to exclude him from their lives. This change diverges from the novel, where Lily agrees to co-parent with Ryle. The film instead portrays Lily as fully breaking free from her abusive relationship.
In the final scene, the film shows Lily reconnecting with her childhood sweetheart, Atlas. Meanwhile, her mother takes care of Emerson at the park. This symbolizes a fresh start for both Lily and her daughter.
Why did Justin Baldoni’s It Ends with Us change the book’s ending?
Justin Baldoni’s adaptation of the novel changed the book’s ending by completely removing Ryle from Lily and her daughter’s lives. Initially, Baldoni and screenwriter Christy Hall considered adding a scene where Ryle and Lily co-parent, as in the book. However, they ultimately decided against it.
As per TheWrap, Baldoni was “not comfortable” with the original version, which depicted Ryle and Lily overcoming their past to co-parent. He felt that justifying their shared custody required too much explanation in a short time. Additionally, Baldoni referenced statistics showing that most abusers do not reform, making it more fitting to cut Ryle off entirely after he meets his daughter in the hospital.
By choosing this conclusion, Baldoni highlighted the severity of Ryle’s actions and the importance of Lily breaking free from abuse.
