The Shocking True Story of The Starving Girls Behind 'The Wonder' | Netflix

[@babilabub]

While FP is exceptional in her role, the little girl who plays Anna is equally talented too. This movie is beautifully made.

[@sophiaisabelle027]

The Wonder is a phenomenal film. Florence Pugh no doubt gave her all in this. It's a very difficult subject matter to discuss, but somehow we should all be aware of it.

[@cervidae3291]

this movie was incredible and moved me to tears. i was near inconsolable, just staring and listening to the end credit's music. while i've never been forcibly fasted, i am a survivor of many things. Anna's end and Nan's beginning healed the hurt little girl in me just a little bit more

[@tishyadey]

this film is truly phenomenal. kudos to the whole cast and crew.

[@cynhanrahan4012]

Raised Catholic, I chose Catherine of Sienna as my patron saint for my confirmation. There was no information on her eating disorder in any of the books we were given access too. Oddly enough, without previous knowledge, I became anorexic and had many relapses. It took a long time to learn to eat even when I was having trouble swallowing at all.

[@laum5371]

I think in my atheist opinion, that the best way to respect the memory of this real person is to care for your body and health as well others. And not let this ED do any harm.

[@YesJellyfish]

This is a strange film, in a good way. Makes you think. The acting is terrific! Thank you for sharing the history!

[@RobertFallon]

A rich, multilayered story. Going into it, my sympathies were with the poor and ignorant. The film does a great job in portraying this rural Irish culture as something utterly strange, the people unknowable and incomprehensible-an excellent snapshot of cultural difference, and in the end, of all-too-human sameness.

[@lowrider81hd]

Good comment!

[@queerlibtardhippie9357]

there's nothing incomprehensible about people being assholes

[@mariamysoul]

The best film Netflix has ever made. Ms Flo should get an oscar! and every book by Emma Donoghue should be a movie!

[@ktom5262]

All Quiet On The Western Front is at least as good, although very different in scope and topic.

[@rosequartz4102]

Your review has me sold! I have to paint my room today and when I'm finished, this will be my reward tonight🙂

[@amberwarner956]

Such an amazing movie. So worth the watch. Florence is incredible as usual. I loved this film so very much and it will stay with me forever.

[@Ring0fSaturn]

The Wonder is a beautifully filmed story with lovely performances by Niamh Algar, Florence Pugh and Kíla Lord Cassidy. Emma Donoghue has written a thought-provoking story based on historical accounts of "fasting girls". Donoghue's story, Room was similarly phenomenal. If you prefer films and stories that challenge you (without unnecessary violence), I'd recommend both films.

[@prosperwoman7085]

The artistic brush in this movie is amazing! Like interacting in a Vermeer painting. Mesmerising lighting and acting. Wow and wow !@

[@princepeterwolf]

Incredible film all around, def one of the best I've seen all year. Florence should get an Oscar nomination for her performance here, she's fantastic

[@BamitzSam711]

When Kitty broke the 4th wall and made eye contact with the camera, it honestly gave me CHILLS.

[@lizdoherty5767]

I just Watched this today! Was a good watch

[@123cassandra321]

Props for sharing the history, very interesting!

[@carmenemerson9288]

I found it to be a film about the pathology of religious extremism, in this case a mother's attempt to save both her children from eternal damnation due to the terrible family secret they all kept (no spoilers from me).

[@farmboy_bry]

I just finished watching it. I had to know if this is a true story. The movie was simply phonemenal. A rare gem nowadays.

[@spellywelly]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@flatandsplat]

Fantastic film. Hadn't heard of it it at all and just randomly chose to watch it last week. Was sooo good

[@deborahkissinger2260]

Thank you so much for this movie...it had been too long since I ve seen such a good movie with good acting...BRAVO

[@roxyodoesmakeup]

I had heard about this but the movie truly brought it to life.

[@InsideKarensHead]

as a recovering anorexic...its quite possible to live without food for quite a long time. I attended my sophomore year of high school without eating any food. I did drink water I would pretend to eat things but would never consume anything. I got down to 86 pounds but never got smaller than a size 8/10. I've struggled with this disorder for a very long time. I'm now 56 and would rather not eat most of the time. But have since learned how to be a keto carnivore and use intermittent fasting so I am using that lack of desire to eat to my advantage and doing it in a healthy way. I have also been visiting an emotion code facilitator to assist me in releasing the emotions that caused the original hurt that began my eating disorder and have made great progress. I can say that I am no longer disgusted by looking at my body. I still have a ways to go to find full healing but I now know its possible.

[@Blueish_angel]

You're doing great, thanks for sharing ur story

[@megzeppelinn]

incredible movie, thanks to all the artists involved

[@michaelf.150]

Florence Pugh is such amazing actress plus very busy. Good movie and shocking ending also 👍👍👍👍

[@SpiritualBabydoll]

Florence is incredible I’m every movie she is so captivating in every role

[@johanagutierrez8720]

I loved this movie, is interesting, misterious and facinated. Florence Pug excelent acting and the little girl amazing.

[@DreyNova]

I thought it was interesting that the name Anna was used. In pro-anorexia (a dark part of society that encourages self-starvation, I've recovered from it after 2 years), Anorexia is referred to as Ana, or the Goddess Ana. Obviously, this is the devil's work, and beware of it. Stay safe, my loves!

[@HopeGardner3amed]

I don't think the film or book is Pro Ana. I think that it is a medical horror story investigating the 1st cases of anorexia on record. Bringing awareness to this centuries long affliction is not the devils work but pro Ana stuff is I agree. The movie and book in many ways are not pro Anna though. I am reading the book and that is literally the main character's main concern I'd that this child will die. Pro Ana talks about how to live via eating minimally

[@fairamir1]

The film was not about anorexia...it was about fasting...big difference.

[@davidmiranda4745]

Or rather incest and guilt

[@carolinpurayidom4570]

she isn't a goddess but a human its dangerous to put anyone on such a pedestal

[@nada5106]

@@carolinpurayidom4570 So you're trying to say that Anorexia Nervosa is an individual causing the illness. Just trying to clarify?

[@SpanishPrincess89]

I watched it and absolutely loved it.

[@skybaby444]

I’d like to know what she was discussing with those visitors who came to her and then donated.

[@beatscatmommy1735]

Loved the movie. Kept my interest from begining to end

[@theresasalazar5822]

I like the movie. The nurse was clever on how she saved her

[@DS-ow3ug]

Loved the film, beautiful work.

[@shaunamurray8501]

I just watched the Wonder, and found it a really great film. I was a little bit distracted by some details that didn't seem right though. Libby ate like a modern day American, with a fork in her right hand, often out of bowls, and at one point eating something that looked like noodles. It jolted me out of the historical time period.

[@86sineadw]

I think that was A plate of cabbage she was eating (looked like noodles) when the woman said there was no stew left, she gave her that. Did people not have bowls back then? Or eat out with forks out of their right hand? I didn’t know this

[@shaunamurray8501]

@@86sineadw Table manners were massively important to middle class Victorians, and English people of this era used bowls only for the old fashioned types of soups they ate (ie consomme or thin pureed soups, not chunky soups, they are more european) everything else on plates. Including stew, which usually came on a plate with a mound of massed potato. Forks in the left hand, knives in the right hand, no elbows or forearms resting on tables. My English grandfather was born later than this, in 1906, and in his era formal table manners were still so crucial.

[@fianna2981]

@@shaunamurray8501 they were Irish peasants not English middle class no?

[@86sineadw]

@@shaunamurray8501 wow that's so interesting. She isn't in England in the movie, she's in (what looks to be the midlands) rural Ireland. I'm not sure what the official cutlery of that time would be in the midlands of rural Ireland? I don't imagine, particularly after such hardships in Ireland, and the cultural difference, that there would be similarities in etiquette. But Florence pugh is playing a British woman, so her etiquette should possibly follow what you are saying. Or perhaps she comes from a poor background? She said she has no family and has been to war zones. I wonder if she had a rough upbringing and she was lower class? But then how did she become a nurse? Maybe she enlisted in the army, to aid, and then learned that way? There is a sense of modernness in Pugh's character and you could look at that in many ways. She believes in modern science, and logical thinking and everyone else believes in an idea based on religion and superstition. She also has this intellect and confidence that women of her time might not generally have. Also from 1801 to 1922 Britain colonised Ireland and merged together as a sovereign state. A lot of Irish culture, laws and language were changed and banned by the British and this could be seen as them trying to modernise Ireland. So in a sense making her character seem modern might be a way to play on the movie's story and societal issues of that time. But I agree I really think when doing a period piece they should make sure details like clothes, cutlery etc should be done correctly. It's annoying when it's not. They can play with the character's personality maybe. But not physical things available to them. I wonder what cutlery was used in Ireland back then? Do you know?

[@shaunamurray8501]

@@86sineadw Yes, her character definitely seems to me to be like a modern person transported to the time, including the way they show her sexuality. Sex without marriage was such a massive scandal they would have been much more conflicted at least. In terms of her class, she has a generic northern accent to hint at not being upper class. But realistically, she can read and has traveled… in those days there weren’t really professional nurses most were at least semi self funded. Lower class people still mostly couldn’t read and having the money and leisure time to travel even 20 km was a huge event. So realistically she came from money. The fork in the right hand eating style is very American, not used even now much but certainly traditionally not used in England, Ireland, France, etc

[@Youokhun]

I can’t wait to see this!

[@susancumming7099]

Absolutely the best movie I've seen in years. The truth...I never ever considered. Fantastic acting and no attacks against the Church.

[@caligal7761]

What a fantastic movie! I loved it!!!

[@micacam2684]

We have “fasting girls” today too.

[@clairewillow6475]

The book is so good! I liked the movie too but the book is even better

[@o0bluemilk0o]

Florence was outstanding in this film!

[@Liitebulb]

I'm glad those parents were punished, for a change. Fasting is common in most religions and practices, but it's different to claiming that you don't NEED to eat for 3 years

[@janina8559]

Anorexia has been around a very long time! This film was wonderful.

[@ktom5262]

But it's not about anorexia. Anorexia is about abhorring, detesting food and the process of eating. Here she refuses to eat for religious reasons.

[@lauramcclain8651]

Anorexics do not abhor or hate food . They are terrified that eating will make them gain wait .

[@bobsmith5441]

@@ktom5262 Anorexia is about control primarily and this is religious anorexia allowing the person to feel power and control over their lives in this particular facet.

[@bobsmith5441]

@@lauramcclain8651 It's more about control.

[@erikaalvarez5121]

Great performance

[@kell_checks_in]

I gave the movie up when they claiming Anna was not receiving the Eucharist. Every "hunger saint" on the books continued to receive Communion.

[@stargazerkawaii]

I watched an episode of Supersize vs Superskinny. The " Superskinny" if I remember correctly ate very little and mostly survived on sugary tea. I wonder what these girls were drinking or if it was mainly water.

[@G94-u4c]

showing the set at the beginning and end of the movie wasn't needed imo.

[@hollybabyyy]

Yeah I literally didn’t understand and the narrator

[@jifij89]

yeah i tried to keep an open mind but that combined with the weird 4th wall break in the middle proper took me out of it. didn’t ruin the film but deffo wasn’t needed

[@raynnamality567]

Interesting movie

[@emmabennett7699]

I'm still trying to understand it. I think they were going for a motif of stories, but I didn't understand how that tied in to anything other than the fact that the family are telling a story. But in the end the message is kinda against stories cause the story endangers her

[@karenhunter8095]

I loved the movie. I didn't like seeing the set at the start though. I watch period films to feel immersed in a time and place and I hated seeing that. It through me off.

[@MMC-jp1gl]

Many saints, both male and female, lived on bread and water only and fasted for long periods of time. Yes, fasting is a powerful spiritual tool but it needs to be done a) for the right and holy reasons and b) for people who are strong in their faith and humble enough to see when the fasting goes too far. If fasting is present then what also needs to be present is a fervent prayer and sacramental life. The two go hand in hand. Just fasting alone is no miracle but likely a call for help or anorexia. God bless~

[@mypersonalcomments1855]

Finally, someone said something. God bless.

[@mariadoslunas4782]

It makes no sense that the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) was not taken into account in the story. Wouldn't it make more sense for the mother to push for that for both souls she was trying to save, instead of that whole fasting theater??? Also, actively seeking death or facilitating it is so fundamentally against basic catholic principles, that I'm left feeling this wasn't thoroughly researched and played only for sensationalism.

[@MMC-jp1gl]

@@mariadoslunas4782 Agree that true Catholic principles were not at play here. God bless~

[@laum5371]

@@mariadoslunas4782 I've know people that had mentally ill kids and instead providing help they dedicated their lives to Christianity and devotion for their god to save her soul (the kids is violent and doesn't feel guilt) this kind of stories seem quite real and well adapted even in modern times people do such extents of pretending to pray to get demons out of people, when they needed medical help.

[@mariadoslunas4782]

@@laum5371I love that in this movie someone fought for this girl and gave her a second chance. My “problem” with this movie is that it was not well researched and it comes off as lazy writing played just for sensationalism. Allow me to explain why it doesn’t work from a NARRATIVE point of view. The actions and behaviors of the family are INCOMPATIBLE with their supposed faith. This will contain spoilers and I will talk from a catholic perspective, because that’s the mind frame of this family, we are told. The mother seems to know what happened before her eldest son died, but he didn’t die suddenly, he was ill, he had time to “prepare”. For practicing catholics this means repent and confess, this is actually encouraged and it’s called the sacrament of reconciliation. In this case, he would have been saved from hel l, maybe to spend some time in purgatory, but not in h ell. On the other hand, if he hadn’t repented *sincerely*, NO AMOUNT OF PRAYER OR FASTING done in his name could “get him out” of hell, least of all, by CHEATING fasting! Souls can be helped out of purgatory, not from h ell. So… if the mother knew, it makes much more sense if she had pressed for him to confess to a priest before dying. Now, priests can’t reveal what they’ve heard in confession, but… don’t you think the priest would have given some signs of knowing what was really going on? The other part that simply doesn’t compute, is that we are told the girl started fasting after her first communion. This is the most sacrate of things. YOU CAN’T take the body of Christ if you know you’ve “sinned”, that is a BIG NO-NO. And yes, even little kids have to confess before their first communion. Anna had to confess before that, any “sin” small or big. I’ll make an important note here: I don’t think she’s responsable for what happened to her, it was not “her sin”, but both Anna and the mother believe so. We know this because the mother wants to “save” ALL her children, and Anna appears to feel guilty. Again, the priest seems completely unaware of what happened. Holding back from confessing something like that does not make sense if you are portraying a family that is supposedly hardcore catholic. On top of it all… the whole point of confession is to SAVE YOUR SOUL from hel l, so… starving to death to avoid hell is completely unnecesary!!! You know what it’s a sure way to go to the bad place according to catholic belief??? Ta king your own life! Or facilitating that for others!!! So NOTHING makes sense in this context.

[@Ms.2730]

Excellent book and excellent film!

[@syd6126]

Fasting is also a part of many Abrahamic religious practices. And isn’t exclusive to men. It’s not starvation but restraint

[@ktom5262]

It's starvation if you do it for several months.

[@hugocamarena7327]

Great movie, great acting and great subject matter. The idea of the film is about all the characters not having true faith or religion. These same characters grapple with their broken conditions and are motivated by what each thinks is right in his or her own heart. The hard part of the film is the producer chose to be silent about the morality of incest. Since the film was release in 2022, it does make you wonder if the film is subtly pushing a new sexual norm. I for one don’t believe incest is right but starving a kid as punishment in the name of religion is not the solution.

[@Blessrainable]

Interesting

[@theclarabella7399]

What was the significance of Libby, drinking from the bottle, then pricking her finger and drinking her blood?

[@camomilehottea]

Laudanum out of grief if loosing her baby

[@theodoreburt8154]

She was addicted to opium due to the loss of her husband and child, I assume

[@user-nr6uh3ld3m]

I wanna know too

[@luludi3]

@theclarabella She is drinking laudanum, clearly addicted to it to help her sleep and escape her grief and trauma. She pricks her finger with her baby's diaper pin for the same reason people cut themselves.

[@peachlily22]

I had the same question

[@pelicanformation3802]

researching confirmation names, I was saddened by the saints stories and wondered if they were anorexic or mentally ill.

[@mypersonalcomments1855]

Try searching for Saint Therese Neumann. Anorexia is a medical condition but being a mystic is another story.

[@bubbercakes528]

Religion is so scary. How can so many still fall under it’s spell? 😢

[@lushlife2540]

Even in India there r story of many tapaswi(saint) who go with out food for years n they live longer.

[@miawallace2306]

As much as I loved this film, I was needlessly distracted by the score. The two leading ladies offer seamless,intriguing performances, however, their efforts were nearly overshadowed by a “horror” type musical theme. Something I might expect from a ghost story period piece and not a more grounded tale about a girl believing herself to invoke divine intervention when all the while she is being extorted by her own family.

[@nikaylabautista7887]

Completely agree. I felt that it was distracting

[@bobsmith5441]

Disagree, phenomenonal score completely set the scene and went a long way to making the film for me. Matthew Herbert is an excellent composer.

[@lindapindabelinda3570]

We really don’t need any movies glorifying frauds and anorexics.

[@bobsmith5441]

Why not

[@Manuel-ew3dp]

The movie doesn’t glorify her lol

[@dennislogan6781]

I found the film visually beautiful, but I think by having the nurse be British it looks a lot like bog trotting Irish need to be saved from their backward Catholic ways by the Protestant British civilized. Not exactly a great thing to do in a film. As an Irish American I felt a bit bothered by this.

[@opheliacparadox]

..... like breatharianism?

[@WateringDNami]

Why or how can people fast? I can’t go 12 hours without my chick fila

[@navi8108]

What's with the movie set though? And Kitty who the f is she?

[@Pandakid143]

Ana as in the subculture for anorexic?

[@intuitnowomawakellcsuzanne5549]

Eating disorders?

[@suesmith9665]

Tell a story and disregard

[@lowrider81hd]

Yeah I wish I could abstain just for a few days. But I love food too much.

[@drkarenbukharibukhari9931]

Storyisminedrskfbukhari🎉

[@maribelayon3297]

They’re being harrassed by a demon. Everyone knows that’s what that is.

[@pineapplebanana11]

so they are breathatarians

[@drkarenbukharibukhari9931]

2ndligerfiedfledfromfeastfesthbed🎉

[@maribelayon3297]

Emily Dickinson

[@lullabiesofthedusk]

Saint Catherine of Siena survived on the Eucharist, that's the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, so basically God sustained her without food or drink.

[@bobsmith5441]

Sure

[@alliemcreal]

Ah yes. The original “pick me” girls

[@Elven.]

Both men and women fast for religious reasons to this day. It's not anorexia or for weightloss 🙄 misinformation in media as always

[@bobsmith5441]

Anorexia is about control primarily, be that for weight or for whatever means. Resistance, discipline, feeling powerful or other wordly, absolutely extends to religiosity. Religious anorexia exits.

[@Elven.]

​@@bobsmith5441 it's not about feeling other wordly or a power trip. How it's portrayed here is misleading. As a former atheist, I can spot it when people are making up fake arguments against religion

[@bobsmith5441]

@@Elven. Most anorexia is not of course but the feeling of being in control is the driving force. Lots of information about holy anorexia and good sources on the net, it happens and has happened in lots of religions, in hindusim and Abrahamic religions etc..

[@Elven.]

@@bobsmith5441 media never seems to speak ill of Judaism, Islam or Hindu religions. They paint this fake picture about Catholics in particular, that's why they put the image of a Saint on the thumbnail. When for a nun or priest to do fasting, they have to obey the orders of a person that has more authority than them who decides if they can start fasting or if they should stop altogether. Again people who are not part of a religion love to speak ill of what they have o idea about

[@samsamsam4790]

Why only girls tho? Where the boys at?

[@msunje9862]

The book was written with female characters

[@msunje9862]

I guess we have in include men in everything now ?

[@keithk2879]

It’s a female body genre, the exorcist, rosemarys baby, Jennifer’s body, black swan etc.

[@m0L3ify]

They said in the video that men chose other forms of self-inflicted physical punishment for religious purposes

[@eireenlustre9497]

Boys will be Jesus and apostles

[@mypersonalcomments1855]

Search for Saint Therese Neumann, for you to know the difference between a mystic and a anorexic. Fasting with prayer is an effective weapon against the sins of flesh. May God bless us all with clarity.

[@yeahno8294]

The extent fanatics will go to in order to portray some form of Devin favor is disgusting which is why I refuse to ever be of any Christian faith I'm am a spiritualist

[@ananatali1]

The so- called fasting girls were not anorexic! There is some continuity. But, the miraculous maidens appeared well fed and in excellent health, for the most part. As you heard, the Brooklyn enigma lived many years without food. Also, they displayed their "ability" in public drawing crowds of people to the spectacle. And, most importantly, there was no talk of weight phobia. Very different from your everyday anorectic. That´s where the movie doesn´t work for me. It conflates the two related yet distinct phenomena, without properly addressing either.

[@jenniferw7928]

She was probably eating while bed bound with the help of a cohort or maybe she didn't even realise it but had a nurse occasionally spoon feeding her broth or something when she was weak. Either way human beings need food to survive. All of the contemporary light/energy eaters have been proven false but they didn't have camera surveillance before.

[@Manuel-ew3dp]

The film does talk about anorexia. The girl fasts because she fears that her brother is in hell for raping her, and that his soul will be saved if she fasts long enough, even if that means sacrificing her own life. The mother agreed to this and snuck chewed up food into her mouth every time they kissed.

[@nichola8127]

Boring and lazy polemic disguised as the telling of how anorexia looked back in the day. There is no parallel whatsoever between anorexia and fasting as a means to sanctity. A simple Google search will outline the difference.

[@Manuel-ew3dp]

The film doesn’t mention anorexia nor does it draw parallels between the two

[@iotolaofrocknrolla2795]

It's all female so a total of 9 people around the world will watch this movie

[@laurielauren]

And yet without your support it’s in the top three on Netflix

[@Vexarax]

There are multiple interesting male characters, especially the journalist who helps them. And the men of the council were all phenomenal actors

[@ayushighosh20]

Oh dear. I hope you open your eyes to creation. Be it beauty, art, society or life. Then you shall see it is impossible without a woman. 🙏 🙏🙏🙏😌😌😌

[@ademonizedwretchguy003]

😭

[@teresawilson3893]

I loved loved this period piece wonderful casting loved it

[@elizabethtanith8961]

Just another eating issue

[@zs_886]

great movie but next time dont add a random sex scene... its pretty pathetic that u had to add that just to get more people to watch.

[@abracadabra8799]

Breathaurians