Anna Kendrick on Emotional Abuse: ‘He Never Hit Me, But…’

In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, Kendrick said discussed how, while most people will understand the nuance behind the film, there will likely be some who believe that Simon isn't abusive because he isn't physical. She went on to say, "That was a big part of my problem. ‘Well he never hit me and I’m not really afraid that he’s going to hit me. How do I discern between normal conflict and abuse? Why is my body in so much fear all of the time?'"

"It’s pretty safe to say 85% of my relationships were pretty abusive," Horn said, discussing how her experiences allowed her to both understand Alice's character, and gain a deeper understanding of Kendrick.

Wunmi Mosaku, Kendrick's other costar, offered support. Kendrick recalled how, when discussing how Alice does not collect evidence of abuse throughout the film, Mosaku said, "'But Anna, you’re the evidence.'"

Though it can turn into physical abuse, emotional abuse is difficult and traumatizing on its own. Kendrick revealed how she'd believed that emotional abuse is enough to leave a partner: "You don’t have to believe that it might get physical for you to feel like you’re allowed to leave, that you deserve to be treated better, deserve to feel safe." She further discussed how, in believing in Alice, she learned to trust in herself more and more.

Along with Kendrick and Horn, several members of the cast and crew were either survivors of abuse themselves, or are close to someone who got out of an abusive relationship.

Nighy was also intent on depicting an emotionally abusive relationship with no physical violence, saying, "In society, physical abuse is very clearly defined as an evil, and I think psychological and emotional abuse, even for those who have suffered it, can sometimes question whether it’s a real thing."