Opinions on the new Netflix original movie, To The Bone?

I feel like I could relate to this movie alot because of my anorexia. That could also be a really bad thing because it could trigger bad ED thoughts and feelings. It actually makes me feel less lonely because other people go through the same things. ED is very lonely because alot of people don't understand the thoughts that you have in your head. I'm not sure if i'm going to watch the movie.

@applepiney @smileyoureworthit @mooninthesky @anomalia

While I think that awareness is really important, based on what I have heard about this film, it can be pretty dangerous for someone in recovery or someone developing an eating disorder or struggling with those thoughts. As always, I think there's a natural struggle in media about eating disorders between wanting to delve deeply into the horrifying reality of an eating disorder for the uneducated viewer to better understand and risking creating a triggering 'how-to guide' for people at risk.

Additionally, I worry a lot about the fact that media's portrayal of eating disorders tends to be very homogenous - once again we see the skinny white teenage perfectionist struggling with anorexia which is a very real model that many people fit, but far from the only people affected by eating disorders. I would like to see better representation across age, race, gender, size, and type of eating disorder if the goal were actually awareness. I think perpetuating the myth that eating disorders all look the same is harmful and prevents many people from identifying or seeking support for their disorder.

On the whole, based on where I am in my recovery, I likely will watch this to form a stronger view of it, but only because I am at a point where I am sure of my triggers, my resiliency to them, and the things I need in place to not allow this to impact me negatively. Even a couple years ago, I would probably deem this far too dangerous for myself, so I strongly urge against watching it if you are still working through recovery or are earlier in recovery and the hold on it feels more tenuous. At the end of the day, you and your health are FAR more important than watching any movie and taking care of yourself is always the number one priority!

Much love to all you ED Warriors!

I agree a lot with what @Anomalia said.

I do not support this film. I have stood by and seen many opinions on it. I can understand anorexia survivors praising the movie as they can "relate so much to this" but again, it's only showing one female's story. Yes, it shows her in a (I'm guessing) residential recovery treatment center, where I would assume are other eating disorder patients. While they have their own stories, the film is focusing on Collins' character.

I follow many different accounts on social media, specifically Instagram, that are mostly "Body Positivity" accounts that are led by survivors of eating disorders. I have listened to and read their stories, I have felt some of their pain, I have envied their past. I am a human. We are all human beings and we all have our opinions. Mine would have to agree with the many BoPo activists who do not support the film, based on the fact that there is a lack of representation. Lily Collins is a young, white, thin, and able-bodied woman. Yes, she has struggled with an eating disorder in the past. Yes, she has had to suffer at the hands of a mental illness. I am not discriminating against her, I just do not support her decision to be in the film for reasons that I will further explain.

I wish I could write what I heard one person say on their Insta-story. She gave her opinion on this film and Lily Collins and I'm going to try my best to explain what she said. So, in a nutshell: Lily Collins is playing a teenage girl with anorexia. That much we can all agree on. Where people start disagreeing can be traced to the very first scene of the trailer. **TW** The opening scene of Collins' obsessive calorie counting is outrageous. I do not know how accurate that might be, but I know that many women are offended by how "funny" the scene is played out. Speaking of funny, this film is shown as a comedy (yes, also a drama, I know) which is moreso offensive. Mental illness is not funny. Eating disorders are not funny. Back to what I was saying- Collins' character has the most glamorized eating disorder- anorexia. She is thin and frail, her eyes are sunken in, her hair is thin and she looks like "an angel." She is so broken looking, so "beautiful." What I've just said has been debated, but on a whole, that is what society says. But I ask: Where is the self-loathing? Where is the ugly brokeness? The fake smile that is not "beautiful"? Why do the teens at the treatment center look happy to be there? (Not saying treatment centers are bad places or that people can't be happy there. I am also not saying that in the film, they won't show the teens being upset/angry- this is just an overall theme.) Where are the long lonely nights? The terrible pains? etc...

Possibly one of the saddest things about this film is not it's lack of representation, but the fact that Collins had to lose weight to play the role. A woman who had anorexia had to lose weight for a film. I do not know her triggers or how far she has come in her recovery. Nor do I have the authority to tell her that she shouldn't have taken the role. She is an adult and able to make decisions for herself, but that fact that she willingly underwent weight loss for this film bewilders me. Back to the lack of representation- this film shows one form of anorexia. Do people know that your weight does not define whether or not you have an eating disorder? There are overweight women who have struggled with anorexia. Do people know that's a thing? My guess is no. And what about all the other eating disorders out there? Where is their representation in the media? Lily having to lose weight only plays into the idea that you have to be significantly underweight to have an eating disorder.

Another thing I would like to point out is that there was no trigger warning for the film. The opening scene can be extremely triggering. I personally am let down by this. 13 Reasons Why had a few trigger warnings, in my opinion not enough, but this film has none (so far).

I highly encourage anyone who is struggling with disordered eating or an eating disorder to get help. You do not have to look a certain way to have an eating disorder. You do not have to weigh a certain amount to be "sick." If this film is triggering, do not watch it. It's as simple as that. And if you can't not watch it, then please watch it with someone you are close to- someone who knows your struggles and who you can talk to throughout/after the film. Do not let this film discourage you from getting help; do not let it "reverse" your recovery. You know your limits.

This is all I can think of for the moment. These are all my own opinions. I am not blaming anybody or offending anyone. If you'd like to discuss my opinions with me, PM me or reply to this post. I am open to hearing everyone's opinions.

I haven't heard much about this film, but I have issues with most of these documentaries. Every film only shows the most severe cases. They never show other demographics (usual attributes: white, female, and middle-class), nor do they emphasize positive attributes about the person. Maybe this might be a little different.

I have been in recovery for a couple of months now and doing really well so thought I'd be able to watch it. but have found it ridiculouly triggering. I know the people involved with it have experienced ED before so thought that it would be done in a way which would reduce triggers, and I know realistically it's probably where I'm at in recovery that allowed it to trigger. But if you're feeling even slightly vulnerable I wouldn't watch it.