The Blake Lively backlash, explained NBC New York [Video]

While “It Ends With Us” continues to hit at the box office in its opening week, controversy has been brewing amid the release of the movie, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. 

The book itself faced scrutiny for its approach to domestic abuse, and the marketing of a movie about such a sensitive topic has added to the online discourse. Plus, rumors of a rift between its two lead actors has been thrown in the mix.

Blake Lively, the film’s star who has established a level of relatability since her early days in Hollywood on “Gossip Girl” and “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” is now facing criticism from fans and viewers. What’s behind the drama? Here’s what to know.

Lively’s rep has not returned TODAY.com’s request for comment Aug. 15.

“It Ends With Us” is a story following Lily, a florist living in Boston, who strikes up a romance with a neurosurgeon named Ryle that devolves into …