‘It Ends with Us’ is a film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel of the same name, with Blake Lively taking on the role of Lily Bloom. Directed by Justin Baldoni, this gripping romantic drama focuses on Lily Bloom, a driven individual who endured a traumatic childhood. She starts a new life in Boston, determined to build her own successful business. While she is dedicated to the success of her florist store, she also finds herself falling for the charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid. However, as Lily gets to know Ryle better and falls in love with him, she recognizes a familiar pattern of abuse that she witnessed in her parents’ turbulent relationship.
Even though the film adaptation of It Ends With Us is set in Boston and Maine, the production team opted for different filming locations in order to capture the essence of the story’s themes of domestic abuse and resilience.
Despite the strong influence of Bostonian and New England culture on the tale and characters, none of the filming for It Ends With Us took place in this region. This raises the question of where the actual setting of the movie was meant to be. Director Justin Baldoni, who also has a role in the film, made a unique decision when choosing the filming locations. Instead of using a soundstage, he and the production team opted to use other cities in New Jersey to stand in for Maine and Boston.
The main filming locations for “It Ends with Us”were primarily in New Jersey, specifically Hoboken and Jersey City. However, significant portions of the film were also shot in Boston, Massachusetts; Los Angeles, California; and New York City, New York. Despite production beginning in May 2023, a temporary hiatus was caused by the 2023 WGA strike the following month. Filming resumed in early January 2024 after several months of pause, with the cast and crew returning to the sets.
1. Hoboken, NJ
The primary setting for many scenes in the film was Field Colony, situated at 1001 Bloomfield Street in Hoboken. The flower shop, owned by Lily Bloom and named after her, was prominently featured both inside and outside of the building. Sources reveal that the production team transformed an art studio into a temporary cafe for a six-week period, which was then converted back into a floral store. Other local establishments on Bloomfield Street, such as Story Residential at 1000 Bloomfield Street, can frequently be seen in the background. Blake Lively portrays the character of Lily Bloom in the film.
Popular Attractions in Jersey City, New Jersey
Several important scenes for “It Ends with Us” were filmed in Jersey City, the county seat of Hudson County, New Jersey. The South House restaurant at 149 Newark Avenue was taken over by the production team for the scene where Lily reunites with her childhood love, Atlas. The filmmakers also utilized various spots in the Newport district, including the Waterfront, as movie sets. Fans of Blake Lively may recognize the beginning of the film from the Van Vorst Park Farmers’ Market on York Street.
Fair Mount Cemetery, New Jersey
Patriot Ledger has verified that Fair Mount Cemetery, situated in the suburban town of Chatham, New Jersey, is utilized as a filming site. The cemetery is featured in a scene where Lily and her mother visit her late father’s grave, symbolizing their liberation from a cycle of abuse. This poignant moment, portrayed in It Ends With Us, allows the characters to find closure. The serene ambiance of Fair Mount Cemetery perfectly complements the fictional town of Plethora, Maine.
4. City of Plainfield, New Jersey
According to IMDb, Plainfield, New Jersey was chosen as the filming location for It Ends With Us, serving as a substitute for the fictional town of Plethora, Maine. The city is featured in the movie’s opening scenes, where Lily returns home for her father’s funeral and recalls her early memories. Despite being larger than the town described by Colleen Hoover in her book, Plainfield seamlessly fulfills its role in the film.
The small village of It Ends With Us possesses a distinctive style characterized by its Dutch Colonial architecture, which sets it apart from the city landscapes. This picturesque aesthetic highlights the stark contrast between the harsh realities of small-town issues, such as abuse and homelessness, and the idealized perception of small-town living.
Boston, Massachusetts
The director and crew decided to film additional scenes on location in Boston, Massachusetts, as it serves as the backdrop for Lily and Ryle’s story. Various iconic landmarks and structures in Bean Town are featured in numerous establishing shots, including the Longfellow Bridge, constructed in 1906, and the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, which was opened in 2003.
Other Filming Locations
Despite being two bustling cities with vibrant atmospheres, New York City and Los Angeles only make brief appearances in the film “It Ends with Us.”In February 2024, certain members of the cast filmed in the City of Angels, while others, including Blake Lively, were spotted shooting a few scenes on a New York City street in May 2023.
The depiction of gender-based violence proved to be a challenging task for Justin Baldoni, both as an actor and director. He openly admitted that there were numerous instances where he had to excuse himself to a private room in order to cry or release the intense emotions that were overwhelming him. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he explained that during those moments, he felt that it was the women on set who were truly in control. From the very beginning, his intention was for all the intimate scenes to be portrayed from a female perspective, and he made a conscious effort to remove any personal bias that could potentially influence the film. As a result, he took a step back and allowed himself to fully experience and process the emotions, before getting back to
During an interview with Bazaar India, Justin stressed the importance of having both intimacy coordinators and stunt coordinators on set. He explained that the physical and emotional tension of shooting a film can take a toll on an actor’s body, making it crucial to have the coordinators nearby for support. He emphasized their invaluable presence, as they were always in his eyeline and readily available for guidance and collaboration. Their role was integral to the process and provided him with a sense of reassurance throughout filming.
About the Book It Ends with Us
Published by Atria Books on August 2, 2016, It Ends with Us is a romance novel written by Colleen Hoover. Hoover has described it as “the most challenging book I’ve ever written,”drawing inspiration from her parents’ relationship.
By 2019, the novel had already achieved global sales of over one million copies and had been translated into more than twenty languages. However, its popularity experienced a resurgence in 2021 thanks to TikTok, catapulting it to the top of sales lists for both 2022 and 2023. In October 2022, a sequel titled It Starts with Us was published, followed by a film adaptation in August 2024. The screenplay was written by Christy Hall, and the movie was directed by Justin Baldoni, with lead roles played by Blake Lively, Baldoni, and Brandon Sklenar.
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