Netflix recently released To The Bone, a film showing life through the lens of 20-year-old Ellen. Battling an eating disorder all throughout her teen years, she finds herself worn and weary after countless attempts to recover with various recovery programs. Faced with the decision of life or death, she surrenders to doctors at an “out-of-the-ordinary” residential facility, where keeping secrets is out of the question and having an open-mind is required.
However, this film has been deemed triggering by both those currently struggling with anorexia and those who have a past of disordered eating. Eating disorders are uniquely challenging topics to tackle, as spreading awareness can often morph into a source of “thinspiration” for young and susceptible teens.
However, this film has been deemed triggering by both those currently struggling with anorexia and those who have a past of disordered eating. Eating disorders are uniquely challenging topics to tackle, as spreading awareness can often morph into a source of “thinspiration” for young and susceptible teens.
I believe this situation is comparable to the controversy surrounding “Thirteen Reasons Why”. The sensitive material in these films can manifest negatively in a young person’s brain, causing the effects of the film to go against the director’s true intent of increasing awareness and promoting recovery.
The director, Marti Noxon, reportedly battled an eating disorder, herself. Noxon partnered with Project HEAL (an eating disorder support program) in an attempt to produce a brutally honest, thoughtful, and realistic depiction of anorexia. However, it can be inferred that Noxon went against Project HEAL’s expertise and advice. Project HEAL stressed the fact that accurately portraying the complexity of eating disorders is near impossible, and imposes a great risk of triggering others.
After receiving immense amounts of backlash regarding their rather poor portrayal, the producers defended their movie, claiming it has the right to exist as “art”. This statement causes me to question if the producers’ motive behind creating To The Bone if they see their movie merely serving as “art”. Project HEAL admitted that a production like this can help spread awareness, as well as promote the de-stigmatization of mental illness. Yet when it comes to those actually struggling with anorexia, the movie is nothing but dangerous and harmful to one’s recovery. This is in part due to the large comparison factor of an eating disorder that will cause you to compare your body measurements, caloric intake, and how overall “dedicated” you are to your disorder.
The director, Marti Noxon, reportedly battled an eating disorder, herself. Noxon partnered with Project HEAL (an eating disorder support program) in an attempt to produce a brutally honest, thoughtful, and realistic depiction of anorexia. However, it can be inferred that Noxon went against Project HEAL’s expertise and advice. Project HEAL stressed the fact that accurately portraying the complexity of eating disorders is near impossible, and imposes a great risk of triggering others.
After receiving immense amounts of backlash regarding their rather poor portrayal, the producers defended their movie, claiming it has the right to exist as “art”. This statement causes me to question if the producers’ motive behind creating To The Bone if they see their movie merely serving as “art”. Project HEAL admitted that a production like this can help spread awareness, as well as promote the de-stigmatization of mental illness. Yet when it comes to those actually struggling with anorexia, the movie is nothing but dangerous and harmful to one’s recovery. This is in part due to the large comparison factor of an eating disorder that will cause you to compare your body measurements, caloric intake, and how overall “dedicated” you are to your disorder.
Although positive reviews were few and far between, some found the film entertaining. It’s fair to say that a bulk of the backlash came from those who deal with disordered eating, themselves. People who have first-hand experience are more critical of the production, and therefore the scenes that seem to glamorize the disorder do not go unnoticed. However, it goes without saying that every individual holds a unique perspective, and the chances of relating to or agreeing with those of Noxon’s are rather slim.
I feel it’s unfair to disregard the film entirely, as it was loosely based on Noxon’s own personal journey, after all. To bash the movie is to insult or discredit Noxon and her experience with anorexia. I can see why people found the film upsetting, or even insulting, yet I can also see through the honest mistakes that may have been made, and acknowledge the director’s genuine intentions.
Hollywood productions should stay away from the recurring theme of “mental illnesses”. The potential for positive and de-stigmatizing messaging is inevitably undermined by negative judgements of people unable to speak from experience.
I feel it’s unfair to disregard the film entirely, as it was loosely based on Noxon’s own personal journey, after all. To bash the movie is to insult or discredit Noxon and her experience with anorexia. I can see why people found the film upsetting, or even insulting, yet I can also see through the honest mistakes that may have been made, and acknowledge the director’s genuine intentions.
Hollywood productions should stay away from the recurring theme of “mental illnesses”. The potential for positive and de-stigmatizing messaging is inevitably undermined by negative judgements of people unable to speak from experience.