Netflix's "To The Bone" will make its debut on July 14th and I couldn't be more scared about it if I tried.
"13 Reasons Why" was met with controversy and I always said I wouldn't watch it for several reasons; this new film is no exception. In fact, it's even more personal because of my own brushes with this form of media, it's effect on the mind and the thoughts it implants. This movie depicts a young woman struggling with body dysmorphia and an eating disorder that spirals into an extreme case of anorexia. "To The Bone" could and likely will glamorize the protagonists "control" of her eating disorder, which is something most eating disorder patients seek alongside extreme thinness.
"To The Bone" reminds me of "Wintergirls," a book that intended to scare readers of the effects of anorexia and to teach about the necessity of recovery, but instead inspired many girls to use the same techniques taught in the book to become very thin and nearly develop eating disorders of their own. While I can't blame the book for my disordered thinking, I can say without a doubt that it triggered my mind to view myself in a certain way.My fear for this movie is that it will do the same for the next generation of young girls while triggering relapses in those who are currently trying to recover and for those recovered.
Eating disorders have the highest rate of relapse and it's hard enough to stay focused on being healthy without films like this reminding you that you're "missing out" on being sickeningly thin. Mentally, recovering patients know that being super thin isn't healthy and looking sick isn't beautiful, but the eating disorder's voice will always say that being 85 pounds is a goal. The only goals a recovering eating disorder patient should have should be healthy eating, to maintain positive body image, help improve the lives of others, follow their dreams and pursue the time and experiences they lost while their minds are consumed with calories and weight. When one's feet hit the floor in the morning the first thing one looks for shouldn't be a scale, it should be a cup of caffeine or maybe a bagel to start your day instead of laxatives or a daily dose of “thinspiration."
This new movie, even the trailer, has shocked me. It breaks my heart that people will be joking, laughing, and enjoying a tragedy on screen for entertainment. A slow and painful death of a teenage girl who truly feels she has no control shouldn't be a plot for the entertainment industry. It should be a front and center issue for research, prevention and treatment in society. Eight million people in America already struggle with an eating disorder, and the relapses and newly triggered disorder caused by this film would be devastating and that's what I’m most afraid of.
A man recently committed suicide inspired by “13 Reasons Why." He recorded tapes and everything and that's a huge reason to worry about this premiere triggering a chain reaction. Not only does it discuss eating disorders flippantly but it openly shows the measures and techniques she uses to become so thin while her disorder takes over her life. While Ellen does eventually try to recover its still very triggering and doesn't show her recovery but instead her bitterness toward the counselors and her wish to give up rather than recover from the disorder that's taking over her life.
Despite what the trailer says, she is NOT in control. I would encourage everyone to avoid this film – especially young girls and women. But if you have or have had an eating disorder, please, don't watch this movie.
Don't let those thoughts back in, don't let that voice say you need to be unhealthily thin because you don't.
You're perfect, strong, beautiful and incredible just the way you are
