Most of us watch movies to escape from reality. We watch to be entertained and rarely to fact-check. Over the summer, a movie billed as a romcom but featuring domestic violence as a central plot point attracted attention.

Beyond the dispute between the film's director and one of its stars, It Ends With Us's portrayal of domestic violence stirred up debate. Some people criticized the film's marketing campaign, which played down the domestic violence of the film. Film publicity instead cast the book adaptation as a frothy summer romcom, complete with great hair and cute outfits.

Domestic violence isn't lighthearted. It can be difficult for victims to safely escape, especially when there are children involved. A cute outfit or good looks doesn't protect against intimate partner violence. Restraining orders aren't an absolute shield against an abuser, and the scars from the abuse linger long after a person is safe.

At the same time, some individuals use false accusations of domestic violence. This may be done during a divorce or in the hope of getting a better child custody agreement.

Whether you need to file for a PFA or defend against one, the LLF Law Firm Family Law Team can help. We work with clients throughout Pennsylvania to protect their lives and their future. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.

Spoiler Alert: Domestic Violence in It Ends With Us

Whether the film accurately captured domestic violence remains a hot topic. Some highlight the movie's portrayal of love bombing, of how abusive relationships don't start as abusive.

The film also captures the cyclical nature of domestic violence, that couples can have good times. This can make it difficult for a victim to leave out of a belief that the good times are what's real about a relationship, not the abuse.

What the Film Missed

This highlights one of the criticisms against It Ends With Us. The film skips over the central question of why someone stays in an abusive relationship. The film glosses over the difficulty abuse victims often face in leaving a relationship, including the realities of a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order.

By failing to capture one of the most challenging parts of domestic violence - getting up the courage to leave and knowing an abuser might not easily let their victim escape - the film turns domestic violence into a fairy tale. She wants to leave, she does, and she lives happily ever after with a better man.

The reality is that the first 18 months after someone leaves an abusive partner are the most dangerous for them. The film avoids these tough conversations in favor of a sleek, beautiful Hollywood ending.

Critics of the film say that such an ending undercuts the challenges that survivors face. The mental and emotional scars from abuse linger long after an abuser is out of a person's life. Victims may get their happily ever after, but only after an often long path to healing.

Break the Cycle

The film's title, It Ends With Us, focuses on the idea of ending patterns of abuse and domestic violence. Leaving behind an abusive relationship can be dangerous, and it can be difficult to know how to find help and leave.

The LLF Law Firm Family Law Team works with individuals and families throughout the state to file PFAs and otherwise protect them from domestic violence. We appreciate the complexities of an abusive relationship and the difficulties in leaving and remaining safe. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.