Eating Disorders and Netflix’s To The Bone
Netflix just released the movie To The Bone on the 14th July. It’s a movie about a young girl who suffers from an eating disorder and from the trailer alone, it became clear that it was going to cause controversy and debate. Is this film going to be an accurate portrayal of eating disorders or is it just going to glamourise anorexia and bulimia?
Anyone who suffers from an eating disorder of ANY kind knows that it’s incredibly hard to define an eating disorder. It comes in all forms and is almost impossible to pinpoint to just one ideal. With this, people suffering are obviously going to find it hard and slightly triggering to watch a full feature length movie about eating disorders and seeking treatment. From personal experience, I understand how the smallest of things can be triggering. From a simple comment to a TV advert, words and images hurt. An eating disorder doesn’t just “get better” — it’s a process with many setbacks along the way.
However, in order for the movie to be picked up and raise awareness, it’s going to have to feature some graphic images and disturbing ideas. So to the critics saying that it’s too triggering — you cannot blame the movie for this. It’s an individual process. Don’t think you can handle it and it will be detrimental to your health and recovery? Refrain from watching it. (I know this is SO much easier said than done). I myself was slightly skeptical of watching it but I made the conscious decision to watch it and when it got too much at times, I paused and cleared my head so I didn’t get swallowed by old demons and habits.
One of the largest criticisms the film receives is that it promotes and glamourises eating disorders and only focuses on the stereotypical portrayal anorexia; the skinny, hospitalised helpless white female. Yes, I agree that the film is very typical in terms of what is expected from an eating disorder BUT it’s one of the first major feature length movies about the topic & therefore it still counts for something.
Yes, most sufferers aren’t skin and bone — they have normal body types and yet still suffer. An eating disorder is pre-dominantly internal and a mental battle which IS something that needs attention. Many people don’t think (myself included) that they can receive treatment unless they are skin and bone. That they’re not worth treatment — there’s always someone worse off right? Perhaps it would’ve been better to have a normal body type who is suffering to make it more realistic. However, this is HOLLYWOOD and therefore, when is anything actually represented authentically honest? Having the most extreme version will however raise awareness and spark conversation & maybe then other variations of eating disorders can be addressed within Hollywood.
Although the physical attributes are different, Ellen (the main character) goes through the same disturbing and destructing thoughts that most people with eating disorders suffer from. The film successfully shows the inner demons, the lack of understanding from family members and the struggle of accepting that you have a problem.
The film includes cast members and producers who have suffered in real life including actress Lily Collins (who does an excellent job btw) and if anything, this increases it’s credibility. Like the movie or hate it, it’s doing something right — it’s raising attention. I’m never usually one for the phrase “any press is good press” but in this sense, it is. For the first time, mental illness is being spoken about in the media. Starting with 13 Reasons Why and now To The Bone, issues such as eating disorders, depression and anxiety are being spoken about and taken seriously. They’re no longer being treated as complete taboo and it’s about time. For too long have people suffered because there’s been no comfort zone to seek help; the fear of being judged is too high and the stigma associated behind mental illness makes it too hard to ask for help. As much criticism as these productions get, it’s sparking debate. There’s always going to be something to criticise when it comes to mental illness because it’s so individual so if anything can be taken from these productions it’s that mental illness is complicated but by speaking up, you CAN seek help and raise awareness. If these TV shows and movies touch just one person and help one person, thats better than nothing. In fact, it’s pretty damn incredible.
To The Bone does incredibly well in promoting a topic that needs attention. So it’s not perfect and there’s a long way to go in terms of presenting the accuracies surrounding mental illness but it’s the catalyst for conversations and debates that have been needed for years.
Because of To The Bone, eating disorders will be taken seriously. Because they ARE worthy of being spoken about and they are SERIOUS.
