inn’s love for Mackenzie in I Love You Forever was never truly about love in the way most people understand it. Instead, it was about control, insecurity, and emotional dependency. From the beginning, Finn appeared deeply passionate, showering Mackenzie with affection and making her feel like she was the most important person in his world. But as the relationship progressed, it became clear that his love wasn’t selfless or unconditional—it came with expectations, demands, and emotional manipulation. His version of love wasn’t about caring for Mackenzie’s happiness or well-being; it was about keeping her tied to him, ensuring that she constantly reassured him, met his needs, and remained under his control.
One of the biggest signs that Finn’s love was more about possession than real affection was his extreme jealousy. Anytime Mackenzie spent time with her friends or interacted with other men, Finn reacted with anger, accusations, or guilt-tripping. He couldn’t handle the idea of Mackenzie having a life outside of their relationship, because to him, love meant total devotion—he wanted to be the center of her world. He didn’t trust her as an independent person but rather saw her as someone who needed to prove her loyalty to him constantly. This wasn’t love; it was insecurity disguised as affection.
Another way Finn’s love was more about control was his emotional manipulation. He used his own trauma—especially his difficult past and feelings of abandonment—to make Mackenzie feel responsible for his happiness. Every time she tried to set boundaries or stand up for herself, he would twist the situation to make her feel guilty, as if she was the one hurting him. He would even threaten self-harm or suggest that he couldn’t live without her, forcing Mackenzie to stay out of fear that leaving him would destroy him. True love should make a person feel safe, valued, and free, but Finn’s love made Mackenzie feel trapped, anxious, and guilty all the time.
The moment when Mackenzie gave her number to Jake, an old connection, was a perfect example of how Finn’s feelings were about control rather than genuine care. Instead of calmly expressing his feelings or having an honest conversation, he reacted with rage. He accused her of cheating, broke things, and even became physically intimidating. His reaction wasn’t because he was hurt in the way a loving partner might be—it was because he felt like he was losing control over her. He believed he had the right to dictate who she could talk to and how she could live her life. Love is supposed to be built on trust and respect, but Finn’s love was built on fear and dominance.
Even Finn’s most vulnerable moments showed that he was more focused on his own needs than Mackenzie’s happiness. His breakdowns, threats, and dramatic displays of pain weren’t about fixing their relationship or growing as a person. They were about forcing Mackenzie to stay, making her feel responsible for his well-being, and ensuring that she never left him. Real love means wanting the best for someone, even if it means letting them go. But Finn never considered what Mackenzie truly needed—he only cared about keeping her with him at any cost.
By the end of the film, Mackenzie finally saw through Finn’s manipulation and realized that what he called love was actually control. It wasn’t easy for her to break free, but with the support of her friends, she started to recognize her own worth and the toxicity of their relationship. I Love You Forever shows that love isn’t just about strong emotions or intense passion—it’s about respect, trust, and the freedom to be yourself. Finn never truly loved Mackenzie in the way she deserved. His love was selfish, controlling, and destructive, proving that not all love stories are romantic—some are cautionary tales.