iOS11 messages crashing immediately

Something that started yesterday evening, when I try to open messages on my iPhone 7, running iOS 11.1 (and now 11.1.1) it immediately quits back to the home screen.

I’ve tried a search and come across some weird website links that allegedly works, but don’t really want to try that link as I don’t trust it. I’d also obviously like to avoid the nuclear option of a full reset or restore.