Reactions to the disclosures have been especially sharp in Reddit discussions about the case. Under a 10 October 2026 r/BoredPandaHQ post about Reynolds' attempts to protect Lively's reputation, one user wrote, 'I think Ryan Reynolds is insane.' Another replied, 'And downright evil.' A third commenter said they were 'waiting for the day he turns on her.'
The same thread also contained an argument over the film's marketing. One participant criticised the promotion of alcohol and a haircare line alongside a domestic violence story, while another pointed to disclosed communications involving public relations advisers for Baldoni. The exchange illustrates how the dispute continues to divide commenters over the origins of the backlash.
Reynolds Pressed Sony to Defend Lively
In messages dated 17 August 2024, Reynolds urged talent agent Warren Zavala to secure a public statement from Sony as criticism of Lively intensified during the film's release. He wanted the studio to challenge what he described as a coordinated public relations campaign against her.
Reynolds argued that Sony needed to 'start advocating' for Lively and drafted language for a statement. The studio did not release his proposed wording. His claims about an organised campaign were his own interpretation of the backlash, rather than a finding established by the messages themselves.
At the time, Lively faced criticism over the promotion of a film addressing domestic abuse. Some viewers objected to her invitation to wear floral clothing to screenings and to the attention given to her commercial brands during the press tour. Sony publicly supported Lively in December 2024 after she made allegations against Baldoni.
Private Texts Contained Sharp Criticism of Baldoni
In an exchange with Hoover dated 10 August 2024, Reynolds described Baldoni as a 'predator and sociopath'. He also mocked what he believed was the director's crisis communications strategy, imagining an exchange between Baldoni and advisers. Those descriptions were Reynolds' accusations, not judicial findings.
A separate message to Zavala described Baldoni as a 'human rounding error'. Baldoni denied Lively's allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation. The private exchanges predated the public legal battle and were later disclosed through the litigation.
Social Media Users Clash Over Reynolds and Lively
Reactions to the disclosures have been especially sharp in Reddit discussions about the case. Under a 10 October 2026 r/BoredPandaHQ post about Reynolds' attempts to protect Lively's reputation, one user wrote, 'I think Ryan Reynolds is insane.' Another replied, 'And downright evil.' A third commenter said they were 'waiting for the day he turns on her.'
The same thread also contained an argument over the film's marketing. One participant criticised the promotion of alcohol and a haircare line alongside a domestic violence story, while another pointed to disclosed communications involving public relations advisers for Baldoni. The exchange illustrates how the dispute continues to divide commenters over the origins of the backlash.
A 9 October post on r/ItEndsWithLawsuits questioned whether Page Six was presenting the couple's side of the controversy. Its author criticised the coverage and mocked references to a possible Hollywood comeback. The forum regularly discusses the lawsuit and is not a representative sample of public opinion.
Elsewhere, users defended Reynolds. In an 11 October discussion on r/CelebLegalDrama, one commenter called him a 'Green Flag' and Baldoni a 'Red Flag'. Another questioned why critics focused on Reynolds' private messages while paying less attention to communications involving other people in the dispute.
A separate r/celebritytattler discussion on 11–12 October showed similar disagreement. One user defended Lively's complaints about working conditions on set; another disputed the allegations and questioned her motives. Neither comment establishes what happened during production.
The couple's professional standing has also become a subject of speculation. Some critics have suggested that the controversy could make future collaborations harder, but social media comments alone cannot establish a Hollywood downfall. No confirmed loss of roles or industry-wide boycott follows from the posts cited here.
Legal Battle Ended Before Trial
Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation in December 2024. Baldoni denied wrongdoing and filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds and others. His lawsuit was dismissed in June 2025.
After a judge dismissed several of Lively's claims in 2026, the remaining dispute was settled in May before trial. The recently publicised messages provide additional detail about the couple's response to the film's publicity crisis, but do not resolve the contested allegations or determine either actor's future career prospects.
