To the Bone
A sharp-tongued young woman confronts anorexia, family turmoil, and the difficult possibility of recovery inside an unconventional therapeutic group home.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- empathetic
- confronting
- melancholic
- reflective viewing
- mental health awareness discussion
What critics said
Critics generally found the film insightful and empathetic, with Lily Collins delivering an exemplary central performance, though some considered its treatment shallow or overly didactic.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ellen’s anorexia nervosa shapes her physical routines, family conflicts, treatment experience, and path toward self-acceptance.
Ellen’s journey through family problems, fears, group-home treatment, and new relationships emphasizes gradual personal change.
Ellen meets multiple residents in Dr. William Beckham’s unusual group home, including Luke and Kelly.
Critical and advocacy responses specifically addressed the film’s anorexia-related imagery and possible circulation through pro-ana communities.
Films like To the Bone, and why
Magershyn
shared focus on eating disorders, recovery, family tension, and an empathetic character-driven drama
Girl, Interrupted
shared themes of mental illness, institutional care, personal identity, and intimate ensemble drama
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
shared coming-of-age perspective, family dysfunction, emotional vulnerability, and grounded contemporary drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Marti Noxon
- Release Date
- 2017-01-22
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (3623)
Cast
- Lily Collins
- Keanu Reeves
- Carrie Preston
- Lili Taylor
- Alex Sharp
- Liana Liberato
- Brooke Smith
- Leslie Bibb
- Kathryn Prescott
- Ciara Bravo
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is To the Bone about?
- A sharp-tongued young woman confronts anorexia, family turmoil, and the difficult possibility of recovery inside an unconventional therapeutic group home.
- What is To the Bone like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of To the Bone as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is To the Bone violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in To the Bone.
- What did critics think of To the Bone?
- Critics generally found the film insightful and empathetic, with Lily Collins delivering an exemplary central performance, though some considered its treatment shallow or overly didactic.
- Which films are like To the Bone?
- Films with a similar feel include Magershyn, Girl, Interrupted, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
- How long is To the Bone?
- To the Bone runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch To the Bone?
- In United States, To the Bone streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
