Lily Collins plays Ellen, a young woman battling anorexia, in Marti Noxon’s To the Bone, a drama about food, family and recovery. The film premiered at Sundance before landing on Netflix, where its release drew sharp criticism from some viewers who argued it glamorizes the disorder.
Trailer, via Netflix.
Ellen’s Return Home
Ellen drops out of college and returns to her father’s home after failing an in-patient program. Her stepmother, Susan, played by Carrie Preston, pushes her toward Dr. William Beckham, a specialist who runs a patient program. Ellen resists at first but changes her mind when her younger half-sister Kelly urges her to join.
Dr. Beckham’s Program
Beckham insists Ellen live with six other patients, including Luke, an upbeat ballet dancer near recovery from both anorexia and a knee injury. Luke acts as a moral cheerleader for the group, bonding with Ellen over her art. At a family-therapy session, Ellen’s father fails to show up, revealing that Ellen was previously living with her mother, who abandoned her to move to Phoenix with a lesbian partner.
The film also touches on a Tumblr post of Ellen’s artwork, which a girl cited as an influence before dying by suicide. That detail adds weight to Ellen’s struggle, though the film handles it carefully.
Love and Loss
Eli, Ellen’s new name, bonds with the other residents. Luke admits he is falling in love with her and kisses her, but she panics and rejects him. Later, Megan, another resident, miscarries her baby after resuming purging at 12 weeks gestation. Eli’s reaction sends her into a tailspin, and she decides to leave.
Luke pleads with her to stay, admitting his knee condition is permanent and he will never recover. The scene lands as a reminder that recovery is rarely neat.
What Works
- Lily Collins delivers a controlled performance as Ellen, showing the quiet desperation of someone trapped in her own body.
- The casting of Keanu Reeves as Dr. Beckham offers a surprising presence, grounding the film’s emotional stakes.
- The depiction of the patient house feels honest, avoiding the glossy treatment often found in films about mental illness.
What Falls Short
To the Bone leans too heavily on tragedy to make its point. The death of the girl influenced by Ellen’s Tumblr post, the miscarriage of Megan’s baby, and Luke’s permanent injury all pile up within a tight runtime. The film never fully explains why these events happen, leaving the audience feeling less moved than overwhelmed.
| Element | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Lily Collins is excellent | Tragic events feel unexplained |
| Direction | Honest portrayal of the patient house | Some scenes feel staged rather than lived |
| Message | Addresses stigma around eating disorders | Release on Netflix drew criticism |
The film’s message is clear: anorexia is a serious illness, not a lifestyle choice. But the Netflix release and its controversial reception raised questions about whether the film was doing more harm than good.
To the Bone is a well-intentioned drama that stumbles under its own weight. Collins anchors a strong cast, and the patient-house setting feels grounded. But the film’s insistence on tragedy over hope leaves viewers feeling less uplifted than exhausted.
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