'To the Bone' Gives Intense Look Into Eating Disorders
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

'To the Bone' Gives Intense Look Into Eating Disorders

Despite the criticism for graphic details of eating disorders, this movie needed to be made.

161
'To the Bone' Gives Intense Look Into Eating Disorders
Netflix

I recently watched the movie "To the Bone" on Netflix, which gives an intense look into people living with eating disorders. After much criticism when the movie was released in 2017, I think this movie still needed to be made to show others what it can be like, maybe not exactly, to have an eating disorder.

Lily Collins plays Ellen "Eli," who has anorexia and does not seem to be making any progress in any type of therapy she attends. Her last attempt at therapy kicked her out due to her attitude, and she ends up living with her stepmother (Carrie Preston) and her father, who is never shown in the movie.

She is forced to attend one more therapy, which involves living in a group home with other people, mostly around Ellen's age (20). Ellen is reluctant to eat, hitting her most dangerous weight when entering this facility. What viewers see in this film is an in-depth look into these people's lives, from counting every calorie and thinking about it every second, to having to be 'tubed up' and fed that way.

Through Ellen's time at the group home, she attends therapy with Dr. William Beckham (Keanu Reeves). He has an unconventional way of therapy, often being brutally honest with Ellen, and even convincing her to change her name to fit her better. She takes to the therapy, but still struggles to give into eating.

She meets other patients like Luke, who seems to be well over his eating disorder and even visits restaurants almost every week. He sticks around to help others. Ellen also meets Megan (Leslie Bibb), who discovers she is pregnant, Anna (Kathryn Prescott), who is supposedly doing better with her bulimia, Pearl (Maya Eshet), who also has anorexia and loves fantasy things, and Lobo (Retta) who is the nurse that doesn't mess around with the patients.

Throughout the movie, each patient's weaknesses are revealed, and Ellen grows closer to them. However, she does end up leaving the facility before she finishes. But I will leave that information out, in case anyone reading this wants to watch the movie.

Ellen has to learn how her disorder is not only affecting her but her family. I think this movie really was important in the sense that it does show what it can do to a family, especially Ellen's step-sister Kelly (Liana Liberato). She reveals in family therapy that she often looks back on certain memories and associates it with bad times that involve Ellen, like if she fainted or was hospitalized. She truly loves her sister and hates seeing her waste away to the point of almost dying.

Although this movie is also graphic in detail as far as how the patients and Ellen handle their disorders, it does give an inside look into it. It can be important to see this because these disorders shouldn't be taken lightly, or seem relatable or cool, like a girl on Tumblr viewed Ellen's artwork on the site, and ended up killing herself because of it.

If you or anyone you know needs help and is struggling with an eating disorder, do not be afraid to get help. This movie, although the ending was rather vague, shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel, it is just a matter of getting the help you need to reach it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56383
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36303
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958219
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

188218
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments