TO THE BONE Trailer
Despite being the topic of many books, movies, and after school specials, eating disorders remain deeply misunderstood. The social stigma surrounding anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and other variants are so systemic that treatment remains low, a key factor in making anorexia nervosa the mental disorder with the highest mortality rate. Yeah, anorexia beats out disorders with suicidal ideation as a diagnosable symptom, so it’s understandable that people who are educated or have experience with the disorder are critical about the way it’s portrayed in media.
Some of that criticism has already fallen on To the Bone, the upcoming Netflix release with Lily Collins as a young woman in the throes of anorexia. The trailer itself has being regarded as triggering, a complaint that immediately brought comparisons to Netflix’s series 13 Reasons Why. The criticism, think pieces, and defenses of that suicide drama have been exhaustive, and whether the same level of outpouring is about to be directed at To the Bone seems like a distinct possibility.
There’s obviously no way to tell from a trailer whether To The Bone will be exploitative or enlightening, but the conversation leading up to its release has taken some interesting detours. Yes, Collins appears alarmingly thin in the trailer and some people will find that and her character’s behavior triggering. So do we need to change how we use trigger warnings and think about realistic depictions of mental disorders? And what about the concerns for Collins herself, who has been public about overcoming an eating disorder in the past and still chose to lose a significant amount of weight for the role? And do we, as outsiders, have any right to comment on her decision at all?
What can get lost in these conversations is the film itself, which seems to have been made with admirable intent. Writer/director Marti Noxon based it loosely on her own life, so concerns about using eating disorders for cheap drama can likely be forgotten. Plus, I’ve somehow gone this long without mentioning that action king Keanu Reeves is the ‘unusual doctor’ treating Collins, which I assume means he will (metaphorically) encourage punching the disease into submission.
To the Bone is directed by Marti Noxon and stars Lily Collins, Keanu Reeves, and Carrie Preston. It will be released on Netflix worldwide July 14th, 2017.
Do you think To the Bone will be worth the debate? Let us know in the comments!
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