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Justin Baldoni’s Emotional Journey in Filming It Ends With Us
Dec
Filming a movie can be an emotionally taxing experience for any actor. However, for Justin Baldoni, playing the role of Ryle Kincaid in It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, proved to be an especially intense challenge. In a candid revelation, Baldoni opened up about how he experienced a “near breakdown” while filming some of the movie’s most emotionally charged scenes. As both the actor and director of the film, the pressure was overwhelming, and the emotional burden lingered long after the cameras stopped rolling. This article explores Baldoni’s emotional journey through filming It Ends With Us, the psychological toll it took on him, and the tools he used to cope with the intense emotions stirred up during production.
From the weight of portraying a character with deep emotional scars to navigating the pressures of being behind the camera as well as in front of it, Baldoni’s experience offers valuable insight into the complexities of acting, directing, and managing emotional health on set. As he opened up about the impact of the role on his mental well-being, Baldoni shared the personal growth he experienced and how the intense emotions he confronted ultimately helped him understand himself better. This article delves into his journey, breaking down the key themes of his emotional experience, including the challenges of portraying a troubled character, the toll of directing and acting simultaneously, the significance of somatic therapy, the impact on his personal life, and his overall growth through the process.
The Emotional Toll of Playing Ryle Kincaid
In It Ends With Us, Justin Baldoni plays Ryle Kincaid, a complex character marked by deep emotional scars and a volatile temper. Ryle’s character is central to the story’s exploration of toxic relationships, manipulation, and the destructive cycle of abuse. Baldoni, known for his roles in Jane the Virgin and as a director of films such as Five Feet Apart, was not only tasked with bringing Ryle to life but also with embodying a character whose actions would have a profound emotional impact on both his on-screen partner, Blake Lively, and the audience.
Baldoni admitted that playing Ryle was a uniquely challenging experience because of the character’s emotional turmoil. Unlike some of his previous roles, Ryle was a man who struggled with rage, guilt, and an internal battle over his feelings for Lily Bloom, played by Lively. For Baldoni, delving into the psychological depths of such a character meant confronting his own emotions in ways that were both exhausting and eye-opening. In a candid interview, Baldoni expressed how playing Ryle felt like an emotional weight that he carried not only during filming but also in the months following production. The process of understanding Ryle’s pain, his tendencies to lash out, and his eventual self-awareness took a toll on Baldoni’s own mental health.
Baldoni’s portrayal of Ryle required him to tap into a well of intense emotions. The scenes depicting Ryle’s struggles with anger and regret were particularly challenging for him. As an actor, he felt deeply connected to the raw emotions that were required for the role, but this also meant that he had to live with the weight of those feelings long after filming was done. He recalled how the emotions from certain scenes were so overwhelming that they began to affect his physical and mental well-being, leading to what he described as a “near breakdown” on set.
The Pressure of Acting and Directing Simultaneously
For many actors, the challenge of portraying a character with such emotional depth would be difficult enough. However, for Baldoni, the stakes were higher because he was not only the lead actor but also the director of the film. Filming It Ends With Us required him to juggle both responsibilities—staying in tune with his character’s emotions while also managing the larger vision of the film. This dual role amplified the emotional and mental toll that filming took on him.
Directing while acting can be an incredibly stressful experience for any filmmaker, as it requires a balance of creative vision, technical expertise, and personal vulnerability. Baldoni found himself torn between the demands of directing and the emotional requirements of his character. While playing Ryle, he had to immerse himself in his role and connect deeply with the character’s pain and anger. At the same time, he was responsible for guiding the film’s overall direction, ensuring the story’s tone and pacing stayed true to the book’s themes while working with the cast and crew.
This dual pressure became especially intense during emotionally charged scenes. Baldoni recalled a particularly difficult moment when he was filming a highly emotional scene with Blake Lively. As he directed the scene, he simultaneously had to stay fully immersed in the emotional state of his character, Ryle. The juxtaposition of these two demands—acting with raw emotion and ensuring the technical aspects of the film were in place—created a unique kind of stress that Baldoni had never fully experienced before. This level of pressure left him feeling mentally and physically drained, sometimes to the point of emotional exhaustion.
The added responsibility of being both the director and the actor also meant that Baldoni had to remain hyper-aware of the overall performance, not just his own. He had to ensure that Lively, as well as other members of the cast, were delivering their best performances while he navigated the intense personal emotions of his role. This created a delicate balance, and at times, it felt like too much to manage.
Coping with the Intensity: The Role of Somatic Therapy
In an effort to cope with the overwhelming emotions stirred up during filming, Justin Baldoni turned to somatic therapy—a form of therapy that focuses on the connection between the body and mind. Somatic therapy is based on the idea that emotional experiences can become trapped in the body, leading to physical tension, stress, and trauma. By addressing these physical sensations, somatic therapy helps individuals process and release these emotions.
For Baldoni, somatic therapy became an essential tool in his emotional recovery process. After long days of filming emotionally intense scenes, he would use somatic techniques to release the tension that had built up in his body. He explained that he would often carry the emotional weight of his character into his personal life, and the physical and emotional toll would manifest in his dreams and his interactions with others. By using somatic therapy, Baldoni was able to process the pain and trauma associated with his role as Ryle, helping him to separate his personal identity from that of his character.
The emotional strain was not just about the physical exhaustion of playing a character like Ryle—it was also about how it affected Baldoni’s personal psyche. He admitted that the feelings of anger and frustration that Ryle experienced bled into his own life. Somatic therapy helped him to confront these feelings and release them in a healthy way. This practice allowed him to find balance and regain a sense of emotional peace after a period of intense emotional upheaval.
Baldoni’s openness about using somatic therapy highlights the importance of mental health and self-care, especially for actors who are required to delve into such emotionally intense roles. It serves as a reminder that self-awareness and emotional healing are crucial for maintaining long-term mental health, both in the industry and in life.
The Lingering Effects: Mental Health After Filming
Even after filming wrapped, Justin Baldoni continued to feel the emotional effects of playing Ryle Kincaid. The role had such a profound impact on him that the emotional intensity lingered long after he had left the set. He spoke about how, for months after filming, he continued to have vivid dreams and emotional episodes that were connected to the character’s struggles. This experience highlighted the deep connection that actors often form with their roles and the emotional toll it can take.
The impact on Baldoni’s mental health was not just a temporary effect—it was something that affected his daily life and interactions with others. He found himself grappling with feelings of anger and confusion, unsure of how to separate his personal self from the intensity of the character. This experience revealed how emotionally taxing acting can be, particularly when the material being portrayed is so personal and intense.
In an effort to regain his equilibrium, Baldoni worked on grounding himself through therapy, meditation, and reflection. He noted that while the experience of playing Ryle was emotionally painful, it also gave him an opportunity for personal growth. It helped him to become more attuned to his own emotional needs and to confront some of the deeper issues within himself. The process of navigating these emotional struggles ultimately helped him become more resilient and self-aware.
The lingering effects of the role also underscored the importance of supporting mental health in the entertainment industry. While actors often face tremendous pressure to perform at their best, it is crucial that they have access to resources and practices that help them cope with the emotional weight of their work. Baldoni’s journey serves as a reminder that mental health should always be prioritized, regardless of the intensity of the role.
Personal Growth Through the Process: A New Understanding of Himself
Through the intense emotional journey of filming It Ends With Us, Justin Baldoni not only learned more about the character of Ryle Kincaid but also gained a deeper understanding of himself. The emotional challenges of portraying such a complex character pushed him to confront personal vulnerabilities, process deep-seated emotions, and discover new tools for emotional resilience. By facing the emotional turmoil head-on, Baldoni was able to grow both as an actor and as a person.
One of the key aspects of his personal growth was his understanding of the importance of vulnerability and self-compassion. Filming such a difficult role required Baldoni to be open with himself about the emotions that came up, and he found that by embracing these feelings rather than suppressing them, he was able to grow.
From viraldes
