Entertainment Movies Drama Movies It Ends with Us Director Justin Baldoni Heads to Sweden with Family amid Alleged Friction with Movie's Main Cast "To all of you who have sent me messages, especially you survivors, your strength and bravery inspire me more than you can ever know," Baldoni also wrote By Jen Juneau Jen Juneau Jen Juneau is a News and Movies Staff Writer at PEOPLE. She started at the brand in 2016 and has more than 15 years' professional writing experience. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 13, 2024 04:25PM EDT Comments Close Justin Baldoni . Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Justin Baldoni is enjoying some time overseas. The It Ends With Us actor and director shared a video to his Instagram grid on Sunday, Aug. 11, that showed himself and his family at a movie theater in Sweden, where he surprised the audience with a heartfelt speech ahead of a screening of his hit film. "This is a very special subject," Baldoni, 40, told the packed theater in his footage, which he posted amid recent reports of friction with the other primary cast members of It Ends With Us. "It's a beautiful film; it's about hope. But it's also about relationships, and unhealthy relationships, and learning how we can end the cycle of trauma in our lives," he added. "And so I hope that, at the end of the film, you're able to take a second and reflect and think about how that can work in your own life." "So enjoy the movie. Thank you so much for supporting it," Baldoni concluded. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. See Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Justin Baldoni and More Stars Arrive at the It Ends with Us Premiere in N.Y.C. Baldoni captioned the video, "Back in Sweden with the family and walked by the local Filmstaden. I was blown away by the support." "Seeing this packed theater, connecting with some of you, and hearing your stories is a powerful reminder of why we brought this story to life," he continued. "And to all of you who have sent me messages, especially you survivors, your strength and bravery inspire me more than you can ever know. I see you. Med dig alltid ❤️." Baldoni's post comes amid buzz about tension and alleged creative differences between himself and costar Blake Lively, though a set source told PEOPLE this week, "All is not what it seems." "There is much more to this story. The principal cast and [It Ends with Us novelist] Colleen Hoover will have nothing to do with him," the insider added. Reps for Lively, 36, and Baldoni did not respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment. Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively at the premiere of It Ends with Us in New York City on Aug. 6, 2024. John Nacion/Variety via Getty (2) Rumors of discord behind the scenes grew prior to the film's release as Baldoni did most of his press solo, and did not pose for pictures alongside the cast at the film's New York City premiere. Fans were also quick to spot that Hoover, 44, Lively and It Ends With Us costar Jenny Slate do not follow Baldoni back on Instagram. In a recently published interview with ELLE U.K., Baldoni called Lively a "powerhouse" to work with and also explained how "friction" on set can benefit the final product. (Lively was also a producer on the project.) “There are all these things that happen every day on set, there’s always friction that happens when you make a movie like this," he said. "Then at the end of the day, it’s that friction, I believe, that creates the beautiful art. Everything in life needs friction to grow." Added the Jane the Virgin alum, "We created something so beautiful and so magical, and it was hard, and it was worth it at the same time. And I grew so much as both a filmmaker, an actor and as a person throughout this experience." Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in It Ends With Us (2024). Sony Pictures Entertainment It Ends with Us Cast Drama Explained: What Is Going on with Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni? Baldoni's Instagram post from Sweden came one week after he shared photos of wife of 11 years, Emily Baldoni, in the Scandinavian country, to celebrate her 40th birthday. "I am in awe of this woman. Her strength. Her bravery. Her groundedness. Her magic. Her love," Baldoni wrote in part in his tribute. "Wherever she goes; she creates ceremony. And she’s taught me to do the same." "But she’s taught me what matters most is not in the bigness, but in the smallest moments. The pause between the beats. The calm between the waves. That’s where her ceremony lives," he continued. "She is a fountain, constantly emptying herself so she can keep giving. It’s an honor to witness." The actor concluded, "Happy birthday, my love. 40 didn’t sneak up on you. You owned it and welcomed it with such love and beauty. The magic follows you wherever you go. I’m grateful I get to join you and learn from you on this journey." It Ends With Us is now playing in theaters.