To The Bone | Netflix Movie Review | Kati Morton

I'm Kati Morton, a licensed therapist making Mental Health videos!
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[@Katimorton]

Thank you to everyone who let me know that Netflix didn't produce the film (they only bought and distributed it). Regardless of whether they produced it or not, they are heavily involved in the film and therefore bear some of the responsibility for actor safety.

[@hellomelissasue]

YES! So many of the same thoughts I had. It was really good. Thank you for reviewing it!

[@sweetenercarly]

Are you going to review feed?!?flenix.net/movies/1320-feed.html

[@lilren2021]

Yes!

[@ameliagilling749]

Kati Morton The producers didn't ask Ellen to lose weight in the first place. She made that choice on her own and then later said she regretted it and wanted to gain more weight. I don't mean to be rude!!! Xoxo

[@colleenwilliams1060]

Kati Morton it was 100 percent her choice to lose the weight. In which she had a nutritionist help. Some of it was stage make up. Number 2 she is already back at a healthy weight.

[@Meridae-id1ki]

I liked that they showed an overweight woman with a binge eating disorder because this aspect of eating disorders is usually ignored.

[@tincansquaredance]

I enjoyed seeing a grown woman in treatment. Not just teenagers or young adults.

[@littlemissfitxo]

Deborah Downer Same

[@phant0m0th_]

Deborah Downer ikr the character is my age and it's good to see people out of high school still struggling with mental illness and EDs

[@robbinthimble2396]

But 20 is still too young. Women in their 30's 40's 50's (me) and so on have eating disorders. The numbers are actually rising. It's difficult to understand but true. Physicians don't know enough about Ed and say I look great! Primarily male physicians.

[@XxTearsforeverxX]

I thought I was the only one who didn't like the romantic aspect between them, it's so honestly annoying to me. Why do directors think every single film needs a romantic story arch? Jesus christ. Also, I hope you review more movies.

[@Louisyed]

Poot Yes! It was just such an unnecessary element. It would be better to just see her recovering for herself.

[@Lenaundso]

Yes, stuff like that seems so..iffy to me. People believe that they can love mental illnesses away because of so many romantic aspects in books or movies about it.

[@safertheforest]

agree. why can't men and women get more platonic representation? making everything romantic feels so forced and unnecessary, especially in this film.

[@ErosCoachingCom]

Because this is entertainment and Hollywood and this is how they choose to roll. They are ALSO beings who do want and seek love so I don't see anything wrong with that especially when this is based on a true story (how true we don't know - so I won't be the first to criticize when I don't know the backstory).

[@aquamarinedream8304]

I can already tell I'm going to hate the romance component toooooo.

[@JadeEliot]

I felt the same way about the romance! SPOILERS AHEAD I liked when they had the scene of Lucas being creepy. I hated when I saw the romance coming, but if they left it at Lucas leaving Eli in the backyard it could have been so powerful, showing that you can't expect anyone to save you in recovery. But at the end when Eli fantasizes/dreams/whatever about being with him I was so upset at the movie for missing the chance to show that no one will be your savior.

[@stephanienajera442]

i agree. eating disorders are the loneliest feeling and recovery can be just as lonely. i felt it was really irresponsible to make the inspiration for recovery romance related....what if they broke up during her recovery, where would that take her recovery?

[@interlude4700]

i completely agree.

[@nothanks5172]

exactly!!

[@zz55jf]

Yea. I agree. Luke came off as a creep...especially when he was saying he needed her to help him stay on track....that she was his new thing

[@prokopjanda]

Yes. I also agree. We can say, it was necessary to show that - partner relationship is NOT a solution in Eating disorder. You must find your own strenght in yourself and the Will to do something, to struggle.

[@gusward728]

this is basically netflix's redemption from 13 reasons

[@lydia9492]

talksfor lifetwo I hated 13 reasons why... I however loved this! I have the same opinion of it as Kati does. But I did not like 13 reasons why at all..

[@gusward728]

Lydia i didn't like it either, in all the aspects where it was kind of good on dealing with mental health and illustrating what it's like to deal with depression it quickly stepped on itself in the last counselor scene before she killed herself. Such a frustrating situation, they had the opportunity to make it amazing and ruined it.

[@marshapple]

talksfor lifetwo I liked the message. I liked that it showed us what its like to be bulied on the surface. It also showed the guy in photography planning a school shooting, because of bulling. It made me sad that people avoid individual who are being verbally abused.

[@afiluvr94]

This came out before 13 Reasons Why....

[@namel6532]

@@marshapple I agree. Although not necessarily about the last part. I haven't actually watched the show.

[@AvenleighShandell]

Lilly Collins decided on her own to lose the weight for the role, I dont think the creators made her. I saw in an interview that she wanted to really be in the role and be truthful to her character.

[@lucyhannah8667]

avnleigh I was about to say the same thing 😂 I do however think that Lilly shouldn't have been cast as the film itself could have been very triggering to film.

[@strawberrysoymilkshake]

This article said that she wanted to as well. I would think it would come from an inner competitive voice though, if she thought she needed to look like THAT to look "sick", which as we know is a big misconception and a disappointing thing to reinforce. www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/lily-collins-says-she-safely-lost-weight-for-film-to-the-bone/news-story/0b433a842c25efd3aa939c750b0095ed

[@Katimorton]

Yeah I had heard that too.. I still don't think it's a good idea an she didn't have to get that thin for her role. xoxo

[@AvenleighShandell]

Kati Morton I agree with you on your opinion completely, it just seemed like you were putting the blame on the directors when it was her choice. Thanks for replying!

[@XxTearsforeverxX]

She may have used it as an excuse to lose weight.

[@noahmeister4380]

Lily Collins lost the weight voluntarily, she said there was no pressure and no goal weight, she just wanted to portray the character well.

[@lydia9492]

Veronika Meister Like Kati said, eating disorders are sneaky. Of course she wanted to lose weight, and of course she "Wanted to play the character well" the point is the directors shouldn't have hired the main person who has had an ED. And since they did, they should of said that if she lost the weight she couldn't have the part. Also I don't care how "Healthy" they say loseing the weight was, there is NO HEALTHY way to lose that much weight. Thats extremely bad on your body. And especially a 2nd time after an ED. It wasn't responsible for them to even let her lose the weight.

[@caitlinlivesonclouds]

some comments above stated that she worked with a nutritionist to make sure she didnt go too far

[@erasmus9511]

caitlinlivesonclouds like what Kati have said, it doesn't really matter how healthy the food she eats or how she worked with a nutritionist. What matters is how that weight loss can affect her mind.

[@jaidenoliver7165]

In the end she said that the whole experience of the people around her and everything was in a way healing. And essentially actually helped her.

[@eveycocoa6295]

Lydia she’s a grown woman at the end of the day tho. She’s responsible for herself.

[@radiomuzic]

I really liked To The Bone, it did trigger me yes, but I think it was a great movie. And it was a huge difference from the not so realistic '13 reasons why' with descriptions of other people struggling with a mental disorder, and showing how the different family members think and how they triy to help. The movie actually shows ways to treat and to deal with a mental disorder which Thirteen reasons why did not.

[@eveycocoa6295]

Sara Melin that’s because 13 reasons is not a problem-solution show. Teenagers having problems and not being able to get help either because they don’t know how or the adults around them suck is an actual real world issue. They wanted to start a conversation about things that actually happen. They did their job.

[@kashiaversae3562]

Have you seen "Feed" by Troian Bellisario? It's centered on an eating disorder as well but isn't hyper-focused on weight which was interesting to see. "To the Bone" and "Feed" are really different takes on the same illness and both were executed well, in my opinion. I'm just curious about what you think about it. Thanks! x

[@themontrealgirl95]

Kashia Versae is it on netflix? Where can we watch it?

[@themontrealgirl95]

Kashia Versae is it on netflix? Where can we watch it?

[@aisling_90]

Kashia Versae is it on Netflix?

[@sweetenercarly]

its not on netflix. you have tp purchase it on iTunes however I have a link to watch it for free. if you would like

[@shakiraroman]

Carly Katz can i have the link ?

[@megancara3312]

The producers never gave a Lily Collins a goal weight, they actually never asked her to lose weight at all. She's said in an interview since she finished filming that if she could snap her fingers and gain 10 pounds back, she would.

[@MicahRion]

My big issue with the film was that it never got past the narrative that "eating disorders are about thin people who don't want to eat." I think it oversimplified that EDs are about a lot more than food. And in some cases, at the heart of it, not really about food at all. And about Lily Collins losing weight for the role, among other issues with that, I didn't think it was necessary. In our cultural imagination we associate EDs with extreme thin-ness but that's not necessarily the case. Like Kati said, EDs don't care what size or gender we are. So the movie-makers could have used this movie to show that people who suffer from EDs may look any number of ways. But they didn't, and everyone took a lot of risk to perpetuate this image we associate with anorexia.

[@courtneyolivo4811]

Please review the movie Feed! It also deals with eating disorders!

[@lexierichardson1040]

Courtney Olivo is feed on Netflix?

[@Aisling464]

no it's not on netflix

[@sweetenercarly]

YESSSS

[@caitlinlivesonclouds]

just bc its not on netflix doesnt mean its not available anywhere.... if u type in a movie title with "free online" after it a bunch of links will come up where u can watch it

[@HannahFaber99]

Kati, please watch the new film Feed by Troian Bellisario. Troian wrote it based off her own struggle with anorexia but also did it in a way that makes the audience understand the aspect of control that it was about for her. Amazing and inspiring one of a kind depiction of anorexia triggered by the loss of a loved one. While Troian also had to lose weight for her role in it and said it was triggering for her she thought that writing it 8 years prior to its release was very therapeutic and helpful for her family to understand her struggle. It would mean so much for you to review this. Thank you 💕

[@sweetenercarly]

yes!!!

[@beautywearsboots6458]

Hannah Faber is Feed available on Netflix? If not where can I watch it?

[@Melissa0774]

You should do a video on how to prevent eating disorders in kids and if any research has been done on that topic.

[@hdfuwhfjkwehfwiefhwe]

I also think that it was, indeed, very real. As a recovered anoxic it was a really healing experience to watch it, because it didn't tip-toe around the subject or try to politically correct. Eating disorders (mental illness in general) aren't "politically correct". I watched the movie with my mom, and it was a great way to say goodbye to my eating disorder once and for all, so to speak. Also, I like how they mention Tumblr and shed light on how it can be very toxic for people who are suffering to come together and "motivate" each other negatively. Great review Kati, I've been looking forward to it :)

[@curtisbemis6640]

I wish I was strong enough to completely best anorexia , I has been a 16year fight that I haven't been able to shake yet . Maybe I'll never get over it just know your a strong person to be able to overcome it .

[@annamaria5913]

Hey Kati :) I really liked your review. I also felt like the romance was unnecessary, and personally wished the movie had shown more therapy work, like talking back to the voice or learning to relax etc. I wanted to ask you whether you could make a video about letting go of perfection. I really struggle with doing pretty much anything, because I expect perfection every time, and when I can't achieve it I just give up and do nothing... How can I do things without needing to do them perfectly? Thank you so much for this channel

[@BookBFF]

Yeah, the romance really didn't feel right, but I think there's a few reasons the writers might have done it (although they could have done it some other way!) 1. To show that finally "being loved" wouldn't cure Eli 2. To show the guy's battle of trying to cling to the next thing that makes him happy since dance is out of the question. Part of me wonders if he didn't really love her, but wanted to fix her and wanted to find a way for himself to be happy that didn't involve food. Especially because she didn't seem like she liked him romantically, but maybe I missed something haha. 3. To show that romance can be complicated when one or both people have an ED. 3. I heard it was a true story so maybe that did happen in real life? I don't know though. I second your idea about a video on letting go of perfection! -Melissa

[@im-at-home]

Anna Maria really great idea 💡

[@dbileigh]

I found your video just through purely searching for reactions, and you by far have the BEST video. Your channel is incredible, and you’re very inspirational in how you speak (it shows!). Thank you for sharing your insight and for being a light in this world ❤️👏🏻

[@rebeccaj34]

As someone that has struggled with anorexia the last decade, I truly appreciated this movie. I cried over how realistic it all was. I saw myself in Eli. I'm watching her and listening to her and I see and hear myself. Some of those behaviors are still very present in my life. It brought back painful memories, but those memories are going to help me. I don't want to go backwards. I finally feel like I'm moving forward again after being at a standstill for so long. The scene you mentioned with her and her mom in the tent, her mom wanting to feed her a bottle of rice milk she made herself... I sobbed at that scene. It was just so incredibly real. The pain, confusion, fear... it was all real. When her mom said she accepted her as she was and accepted her decision, that's when I was like: YES!!!!!! It was so important when my mom accepted that I was sick and maybe didn't want to recover. It was enough to push me toward the light of recovery, just that unconditional acceptance. I also thought it was incredibly dangerous and irresponsible for Netflix to make her lose weight. I was horrified. It's hard enough to gain it back the first time. This last relapse I had caused havoc with that very topic. It was so much harder to be weighed and to gain than it was the first time. There was no need. Sure, it made the film more realistic and more on an emotional level, but it was incredibly dangerous. Another of my favorite scenes was when Eli and Luke were talking and she asks him how he just eats like it's nothing. His response had me nodding in agreement. For once, someone finally got a realistic film. Sharing the Secret is also pretty realistic as well.

[@MsLaurithaa]

wow you so spoke my mind! could not agree more with everything you said! I could relate to so many things shown in the movie, Im glad there is finally a realistic representation out there on what the life with an eating disorder really looks like!

[@LadyPeters]

I was JUST going to ask you about this, i watched it last night, perfect timing! It's so real!

[@Katimorton]

It totally is!! I hope you liked the video :) xoxo

[@LadyPeters]

Kati Morton definitely enjoyed hearing your perspective!!! Thanks for another great video, Kati!!

[@LadyPeters]

Kati Morton have you seen that HBO documentary from a few years ago, i think it was "Dying to be Thin" or something, but it was real life patients and then after it follows up with them... just wondering your thoughts?

[@abbydwyer4601]

I am currently going through recovery for an eating disorder and watching this movie helped me see that there is hope and recovery is possible and @katimorton I just wanted to say thank you for all your videos they have really helped me not only before residential treatment but now after

[@umberdandelion]

Do a review of My mad fat diary!

[@scarlettrey123]

Umber Moore YESSSSS

[@skinni_the_P00hBear]

Umber Moore I just finished that show the other day. Loved it!

[@annabelle7969]

I suffered from an eating disorder for 8 years and when I watched this movie I felt I could relate so much is very realistic probably the most realistic movie I've ever seen on the subject. Highly recommend it !!

[@singinpoet]

I'm in recovery and I watched it. It was wonderful and didn't trigger me. I cried when her mom fed her too. And when she was talking about her art. I've posted poems online about my ED that my friends were shocked by. I wasn't trying to hurt anyone, but I did anyway. So I understand how she felt. The family session hit me hard too. I imagine that's how family therapy would be. Glad you liked it. I wanted more from the ending. I hope they make a sequel.

[@femmeweird]

Thank you for the review, Kati! I've been struggling with anorexia for years. When I saw the trailer, I was like ”oh my god, this is gonna be triggering. maybe I shouldn't watch this.” But eventually I did because I couldn't stop thinking about it. And I loved it! I thought this was so true and honest, and not so triggering at least for me. I appreciate that this movie stick to the reality of eating disorder, not glamorizing or anything.

[@chelseakerr6078]

Love you so much kati, your videos mean so much to all of us, you helped me through some horrific times, keep doing what you are doing your videos are awesome💗

[@devanmarie]

I'm so happy to see people who like it! Everyone I've talked to hated it and said it wasn't accurate to anorexia but it very much was for me. I would get fainting spells and not realize I was that bad or just not care enough to change it I guess. and I actually did like the relationship aspect because it was through the love I shared with someone that I finally started to get out of my unhealthy mind sets. Feeling like I was loved by someone that had no reason to like me and who would make it a point to give me very long hugs every single day at the end of lunch went from annoying to greatly appreciated and was like words of affirmation for me (if that makes sense). Plus it was the only stable thing in my life which is something I DESPERATELY needed.

[@nechma13]

okay I have to say something it is not netflixes fault. Netflix bought the rights to the film after it was shot and premiered at a festival, they had nothing to do with her weight loss at all. She wanted to lose weight for the role, and she was working with a nutritionist to make sure she didn't go to far. if you want to blame anyone blame the director or nutritionist do not blame Netflix when they are just the ones who bought the film to show to people and didn't have any say in the story

[@75sadiegirl]

I pretty much had the exact thoughts about this movie! I didn't realize however that the actress had previously struggled with an ED. I did wonder though. As far as the rest of the movie I thought it was spot on. Kinda caught me off guard seeing some my own past behaviors in a movie. I guess when you are doing these things you kinda of don't think there is anyone else in the world that does this or that. thanks Kati for the review.

[@jgnmtz]

I could not stop watching to the bone. When I was in treatment for partial hospitalization , I met wonderful folks who struggled with eating disorders. I could see the traits of the leading characters in some of the folks I met . My heart was breaking , but it was so brave ! The family dynamic was painfully real. Reminded me of my family so much

[@sarahwithstars]

I love you so much Kati. So balanced, rational, evaluative, emotive, compassionate and intellectually stimulating. I'm so proud to be able to be a patreon supporter and in a tiny way contribute to your superb content. You truly are changing the world one video at a time xxxxx

[@Katimorton]

Awe thank you so much for that sweet comment :) And huge thank you for supporting the channel!! I couldn't do it without you :) xoxo

[@aquamarinedream8304]

As someone who has fully recovered from bulimia, I'm super glad that you see the worth in this film!!It makes me feel like you truly understand. I heard a psychologist (name forgotten) say that this film was 'triggering' and should thus not have been made, and I felt she did not understand.

[@EmilyCarter-sj7in]

Daaaamn I think that's crazy they casted someone who used to be anorexic. Honestly though, maybe they trusted that she wasn't in danger of relapse. Who knows? Maybe she really did want to do it.

[@Katimorton]

They said she wanted to lose weight for the role.. but I still don't think it is okay.. but that's just my opinion. xoxo

[@gcdvclassof09]

Kati Morton personally I think I'll always be in danger of a relapse in one way or another, it's like once you learn something it's nearly impossible to "unlearn" it in my opinion

[@hannahvsilverman]

Hi Kati, I'm a long time fan, and first time to comment. I think you touched on some great topics here. One that I would like to point out, is the reoccurring theme of Eli's lack of positive reinforcement (not sure if that's what you would call it) from her parents. The parents would make hypercritical comments on Eli's physical appearance on nearly every first encounter they had. They told her she "looked like a ghost" and she wasn't "beautiful". This only adds fuel to the fire. Although I'm sure they felt that this was not coming from a negative place, it definitely does not offer anything constructive. The part that stood out to me the most was when the stepmother brought in a giant cheeseburger cake that said, "EAT UP". That part was the most relatable and "triggering" for me. It also made me realize that our family or friends might act in such passive aggressive ways from feeling defeated by the eating disorder.

[@spoog314]

@2:58 where you said the dad didn't show up, it was waay too fast to read. Thank you for making this video it was great hearing the pov of a professional ❤️

[@brandycewonderland1497]

I wish they would have included pictures or something of her when her disorder wasn't out of control. I was personally very interested and hopeful for a before and after. Seeing her better could have inspired more hope, like there is a positive outcome and we can be pretty and happy without the control of our eating disorders. I personally needed/wanted a result picture or clip of her healthy results. The mother feeding Eli broke me into tears...that screamed with such power in such a sort moment of time...the words it spoke we longer than the scene frame.

[@brandycewonderland1497]

I also feel that the purpose of the love scene was to show openness, which is very hard for some of us, especially when you're at your lowest point in life. She's allowing someone in...I think that's what we should focus on...she usually pushes everyone away and she let him in...that's powerful. They gave each other inspiration and hope.

[@jessicadegroen6558]

YES!! I agree so much with everything you said. The two dislikes were bothering me to the point where I almost stopped watching honestly. Glad I didn't though, because it truly is an inspiring movie that shows the rawness of an eating disorder. I'm also really glad they mentioned a binge eating disorder. This ed seems to be almost ignored completely even though it's an actual ed. I didn't even know about it until I really struggled with how much I was actually eating, and panicking about my weight while eating more and more again... I got to say, I'm handling it quite well now actually. But still, it was nice to see they mentioned it :)

[@bronaghmachaulaige6865]

I think Netflix made a poor decision with the weight loss of Lily for the role. I mean, Christian Bale in the Machinist lost a TON of weight in a controlled environment with his method acting and with all the support he had and the lack of a prior eating disorder I think that's okay. He was amazing in that role and his dedication to the character with the weight loss was impressive. but Netflix should have either cast an actress who could safely lose the weight with no ED history OR an actress with an ED history but her NOT lose the weight. I don't think they can have BOTH safely. thankfully Lily seems fine but you're right, Katie. It was quite irresponsible. and knowing she'd had struggles with ED prior had me sitting uncomfortably the entire film. however I don't think she actually lost as much weight as they portrayed in the film. I think some of it was SFX. but still... to look in the mirror and see that.. that would have been tough. in OITNB they got Lavern Cox's brother to play her Pre-Transition because they were extremely worried about it being too upsetting for Lavern to play the roll.

[@jaidenoliver7165]

Few things. Firstly Netflix bought the movie after it was already fully produced and finished so they had no role in the making of it only distribution. Lily completely chose to lose the weight all for herself. She has said it in quite a few interviews and places that it was all her decision and under close guidance. And she even says that the whole experience and the people around her in a way helped her to heal. And she really was quite thin for it, they've also said that the main scenes that were enhanced were particularly that one near the end when she's on the ground, and slightly in a few other places. But generally it was all her real appearance.

[@Toyon95]

You can find people doing almost anything for a role but that doesn't make it "right". The people in power has to think further ahead before making someone do these type of things when they can be potentially damaging to the person. That's my moral standard anyway.

[@hannahashley2882]

TW-- as someone diagnosed with anorexia I can really relate to this movie. At my lowest point I was so resistant. I was hospitalized and cried when I had to eat vegetables. I knew that I was making my family miserable and I didn't care. I knew that I could die, destroy my health, ruin relationships... and I just didn't care. I was so sucked in. I did wear baggy clothes, and still do even as I gain weight. I didn't smoke (I'm underage) but a lot of the 18+ at my treatment center did. For me, I slowly came to the realization that I just couldn't fight with myself anymore. That I wasn't going to win anything. There isn't a prize for being the thinnest or sickest. But there is a prize in recovery- a life. One worth living. I'm still struggling and rather new to recovery and haven't been doing my best, but I'm definitely not at my worst.

[@Rita-yi4vv]

Having been inpatient and in recovery for several years now my I couldn't agree more with all your notations... I also was alarmed to hear about the main character previously struggled with an ED. That could have been a very slippery slope of triggering a major relapse.

[@sarahr7647]

Great review Kati. I wish the movie had a part 2 showing the extremely difficult process of recovery. They touched upon it a bit with the pregnant character but for my personal journey I found anorexia (during the honeymoon period) and the denial far easier than the recovery process. That shit was hard and that's when I especially needed extra therapy sessions and my support network. It would be good to show that process on screen.

[@katiezabel2110]

Amazing review, Kati.

[@Katimorton]

Thanks!! xoxo

[@Tor857]

You should do a review on Crazy Ex Girlfriend! The storyline centers around a character who has BPD and how she’s learning to cope with it! Love your videos :)

[@breathlessinbedvlogs]

I see what you mean about the romance being unnecessary but I also thought it was important. As someone who has recovered from anorexia I appreciated the realness to their relationship. The constant pulling back everytime she got close to him. Personally, I needed good people who really loved me to get in my face and help me see things differently and that's exactly what he did for her. Especially the line where he says "you need to be touched by someone who cares about you". Falling inlove is a loss of control too and important to see. She won't allow herself ANYTHING at all. I love that we saw all kinds of relationships affected by eating disorders. Also the bottle scene. The friggen tears. Painfully loved this movie.

[@greensun92]

They didn't make her lose weight. She chose to. They told her they'd have makeup and special effects to make her look sick, but she chose to lose weight. There's a couple interviews where she talks about it. Also, I think I read somewhere that Netflix didn't make this film, they bought it. Anywhosies, I love your channel and this review. I really thought it was a very honest film.

[@joannakwon7032]

The romance was so unnecessary and just... bleghhh Also I really didn't like Luke

[@IAmWhatICreate1999]

This movie sounds amazing, I love truthful movies. I might watch it, sounds interesting.

[@Katimorton]

It was really good :) oxox

[@jim_and_suzy]

I agree with everything you've said here, Kati. I am a huge fan of this movie, too. I have never struggled with an eating disorder, but have a long history of struggling with mental illness and could really relate to Ellen/Eli. I loved when Dr. Beckham told Eli that no person was going to come save her. This is a really cruel reality of life (especially after we tell all these princess narratives to our young girls), but also a really liberating one. He went on to say that if she could accept a few hard truths, then she could have an amazing life. The most significant part of the movie for me was the “Eli” aspect. The great prophet Elijah is known as “Eli” and this is the reason the doctor suggests this as a new name for Ellen. Elijah was so depressed and tired that after he escaped to the desert, he lay down under the juniper tree and asked God to let him die (the story is in I Kings 19). God took care of him, and fed him. On the strength gained, Eli traveled to Mt. Horeb and received his great revelation from God. Elijah’s revelation is also the revelation of the movie: bad things happen. But God is not in those bad things. He comes afterwards - in the form of the still, small voice. The poem by Anne Sexton, “Courage,” says that to keep having the courage to tolerate the bad and hear the small voice afterwards is what gives you the ultimate ability to not only find the joy in this life, but also at the end of this life to put on your bedroom slippers and stride out to meet your God.

[@TrainerJodie]

As an actor, Your second complaint about Lily Collins safety for a "more authentic performance" is one of my biggest complaints and concerns about what is now called "Method Acting." I made a video talking about the method, as it's also know, on my own channel a while back, but the basics of it are it is an American created acting style and character creation tool based on Stanislavski's system he used to train Russian actors, also called the Stanislavski System or simply, the system. While the system focuses on creating a character by asking, "How would I feel if I were in that situation?" The method takes it a step further by asking "How do I make myself feel the same way this character would feel in this situation?" and can lead to some pretty dangerous results, as you pointed out here with the possibility of relapse, etc. It's now used as a marketing tool to sell tickets as actors talk about the extremely unhealthy and sometimes dangerous things they did to achieve an "Authentic Performance" and I personally believe it's hurting the profession as a whole. So, I completely agree with that statement. I have one other thing that I didn't like about the movie, though, and that was basically the entirety of the movie was focused on the rebellious period in her recovery, where she was constantly fighting against getting better, and ends just after she makes the decision to start the work of getting better, kind of implying that the choice to try to get better is the end of the journey, whereas, at least in my own experience, the choice to start working to get better is the first step in a much longer and harder process, with pitfalls and backslides and successes and failures. I was hoping it would at least address the struggle that is actually recovering from a mental illness and the continued struggle involved every day, but, at least in my opinion, this movie made it seem like you can just say, "Well, now I'm going to get better..." and that's it. You've done the hard part, now you're "Cured." I'm curious if you picked up on this as well and what your opinion on it would be? Overall I really enjoyed the movie, but that was my biggest complaint about it, with the method acting coming in a close second.

[@beeexcited1431]

I agree with everything you said about the film. My sister always say they will never make a film about a illness be it physical or mental without trying to add a romantic storyline to it, cause unfortunately no wants to watch a totally depressing movie about sick people. Yeah I was also very confused about lily Collins being in the film. I remember I had listened to an interview of her on the radio about her recent book were she talking about her eating disorder and then a week later I saw the trailer for the film, and I thought I had confused the actors or something cause it just didn't make sense to me.

[@JessieAndEmma1]

I see that a lot of people agree with you that the romance was unnecessary. So, I guess I'll just put my two cents in? I kinda liked the romance to be honest! To me, it showed me that hey maybe another human can't fix you but they can make the pain a little easier to handle. That sometimes human connection can really help with recovery. Obviously, it can't fix it but it'll help. It's her dream with Luke at the end when she was on the three that really cemented the fact that she wanted to live to her. He didn't fix her. He, her mother, the counselor, her sister gave her something to live for. I didn't see it as some forced romance down on our throat. I just saw it as a representation of how much another human can help. Or maybe this is all the ramblings of someone who's never experienced real intimacy wishing it for herself. lmao. Maybe.

[@starchaic6446]

I actually have a friend who is currently struggling on the precipice of an eating disorder and this movie helped me figure out a bit more about what that exactly means. Though, I wanted to give them a recommendation to watch the movie, I was worrying on whether or not that was a good idea!! Thanks for the help again Kati 💕

[@laurenm409]

Lilly has said that she lost the weight with the help of nutritionists and nobody made her do it. There was so goal for her to go down to but she did loose a lot. While I believe that it was her choice as an actress to loose the weight for a role, I do agree with you, Kati, about how damaging that could potentially be for Collins. I never thought about the competitiveness of the characters' eating disorders during the film, your points throughout your video made me see parts in a new perspective. Thank you, Kait

[@gracejohnson5292]

I definitely agree with you! Its great that something so realistic is available for people to see/learn from. I was wondering if you heard of the movie Feed? It is also a movie focused around eating disorders that came out 2 days ago. I haven't seen it so I'm not sure if its any good but I'm glad this topic is becoming less taboo in the film industry!

[@nellynarwhals9792]

Hey Katie! I agree with you! The actress playing Eli (Ellen) chose to lose weight for the role, and followed a dietitian during the process and claimed that the nutritionist and her never set a weight goal. She claimed Netflix didn't ask her to lose weight for the roll

[@nellynarwhals9792]

I left you a link to the source! :)

[@MarleyJaxx]

I like films that show the truth about eating disorder or any mental and health disorder for that matter. If we know someone who is suffering from eating disorder or any mental or health disorder for that matter, we have to understand them. Because what they are going through is not easy.

[@tirzawerner1345]

Thank you Kati☺ I always love to hear what professionals who really deal with these issues think about these movies/shows.

[@valerietaylor1124]

I've struggled with eating disorders for 25 years and i wanted to watch this movie. Im 1.5 yrs clean. Your review was helpful! I still feel its strange to have lily lose weight for a role like this, its hard to say if it was just a dabble into the past or truly only for the role. Ed's lie to you telling you its only this or that but that's how it can start relapse. I'm alive today to one day support teens with ed mental grip. Eds are very serious and should not be taken lightly ever.

[@matiffma]

I just LOVED this video. Thank you for posting that. Can you do more reviews about mental disorder movies?

[@itsjakattack]

As a comment to your last point that you were upset about - Netflix didn't produce this movie. It was an independently produced movie (premiered at Sundance actually) that Netflix bought the rights to. So Netflix didn't make her lose the weight. She's also said so many times that there was never a number she was pushed to and that she wanted to take on the role and be able to show the experience from an authentic POV. But I really like your review of the film! I've heard so much hate from it, and I like to hear your positives about it!

[@Bekaheartsyou]

i recovered years ago, but this made me truly emotional...especially the ending, it was weird seeing it from the outside

[@hoolaboolaful]

This was a great review, thank you! I agree, I'm not sure how the risk of her relapsing didn't seem greater than the visual believability of Ellen an someone struggling with anorexia. I felt at first the same way you did about Luke and Eli being romantically involved, but from the scene by the swing what I found to be valuable was that Luke was in a different place in his recovery than Eli was (and maybe had never been in quite the same place emotionally as she is) and it caused the romantic side to become confusing and difficult. I feel like that could be an important point to highlight, that those in recovery (of many sorts) have trouble connecting or understanding other people's cues and feelings. Luke was feeling better and wanted to make Eli feel better as well, but you can't use romantic love as a substitute for personal growth and recovery. Just a thought and maybe a way to give this storyline some more interest haha! Thanks again for the review!

[@teen-at-heart]

I can totally see your point with regards to the danger of having someone lose weight for a role, who's had an ED and I would feel very anxious about that, too. On the other hand, as you said, it's a good film that can show EDs and what they're like (in parts) to "normal" people and raise awareness and emotional investing in the topic and mental health in general. So how do you weigh these positive and negative sides? Sometimes humans had to do dangerous things in order to push change forward (or awareness). If they do it voluntarily is it ok? Or is it always irresponsible to let them do such things? I find that a very hard question to answer and a very difficult balance to gauge.

[@roguekat4464]

Love your reviews! On the issue of Netflix, they actually didn't make the film. It originally premiered at Sundance and then they bought the distribution rights for it.

[@annaperez3398]

Actually while production the directors and producers didn't want her to lose weight and netflix didn't make it they bought it after it was made

[@aliya6577]

I agree To The Bone was an overall good and accurate movie. However, I think they should have recommended some outlets/hotlines/etc. at the end of the film for those who may have realized and accepted that they need to seek help. A list or a few links could make all the difference.

[@justinemattson3372]

It is worth noting that basically everyone on set was worried about that main actress, and she was NEVER asked to lose that kind of weight. It was a choice she made as an actor. Feel about that as you may, but it is worthwhile to know it was her choice, not the production company’s.

[@prokopjanda]

Romantic topic. I think that the romantic story there is needed. The relation with "Luke" hepled "Eli" to recover. I am very happy with the "stairs scene" where Luke (with crutches) says that he needed her to stay and she refuses and leaves. She wants to stay in the Threshold house NOT to save Luke, but because of herself. It is her own decision. It is "co-motivated" by relation with Luke, but the original motivation is in herself. In my point of view, in anorexie is important to create relations, but the first motivation must be in the person. And the Doctor (Keano Reeves) respect Eli's freedom, and afteall, her mother also give her freedom to "leave". In fact, in my Children Ward hospital (from 6-15 age) were the boyfriend-gilfriend relationships forbidden. So, in fact in therapy centres, the relationships are not allowed. So, I don't know if partner-relationships are helpful in anorexia, or not.

[@KodokuKyoko]

I don't know why everyone is criticizing this movie on TV and KZbin. That it is a bad representation etc. I think it's real and appropriately made. He is well done and not like the others think. Her life is also messed up and not perfect. She has no real home and commutes between the clinics and the stepmother. She has no courage and is fooling herself. Has no apartment, etc. What is superficial or perfect as others say ? Nothing at all ! I think they themselves have no idea about this disease. Just those who have it. Because they are blinded by it.

[@toobossforchuck]

I wish there were some more representation for people who want to recover, and have wanted to recover for years and years, but continue to struggle. A lot of the people with EDs I know really do want to get better, but they look stubborn at times because it's the ED voice coming through. Some people really do want to recover and a lot of times we don't get help or people treat us like we're not trying hard enough, I am trying so hard. But the ED fights back just as hard and I don't know whether I'm ever going to win.

[@abbiehiggins4412]

Hey kati, I need some advice but I'll start of by saying that I loved this video and agreed with practically everything you said. Anyway, I told my friend a few weeks ago I self harmed because I felt like I needed to tell somebody and I think I wanted them to help me in the right direction of getting better. However, he also cuts and we both know its wrong yet dont ask for help because that would mean snitching on the other. We sometimes dicuss how to hide/heal them and basically do nothing for each other. He also knows that I've purged a few times and so has he but the problem is I'm getting worse. I've started purging again and I dont care anymore about scars when cutting and I want help and to get better but I'm terrified to do it myself. The problem is that I don't think I'll ever ask for help myself and feel like soembody else will have to do it for me. I regret twlling him as he does nothing and isnt much support to me. I want us both tk get better and to ask for help but if I did it would mean snitching on him and I don't know if he wants help. What should I do? Sorry this is so long btw, I really needed to vent.

[@nicole-corine4121]

abb13_h it's scary asking for help or being vulnerable with other people. But you'll feel better once you do it. And you can do it! You are an amazing human and you can totally ask for help! And you're not snitching when you tell therapist they won't tell anyone. You deserve to get better and to get the help you need, no one gets to stand in the way of that.

[@mckennarogness4066]

I haven't seen this movie, but even though I am technically "recovered". I do want to see it, but feel at this moment I shouldn't. But I liked your review of it and what you didn't/and did like. I love your channel.

[@hfvvdrujhg248]

my friend doesn’t eat. she doesn’t eat breakfast (her parents take good care of her but she chooses not to eat. and when we have lunch, she will occasionally get something and i pay for her. the other day though, and i don’t know if this was on purpose or not, she ran to the bathroom after she ate and threw up. she wasn’t sick or anything but afterwards she said something that kind of had me confused. it was something along the lines of “you know when after you eat you like throw up because you’re like anorexic or something? no? just me?” i know for a fact she hasn’t been diagnosed with anorexia but i’m concerned for her. also, today i was with her and another close friend, and they were talking about cuts. one of them tries to make them seem like they are from something else, so it was on her hand. they both cut around their ankles (i used to aswell but i don’t think they knew). i asked her what it was and she didn’t say anything. im concerned for them but i don’t know how to help. i can’t talk to an adult because i know they would be mad at me, but we were all redistricted to another school, leaving our bestfriends behind, and they are all i have here. is there a way i can help without being too obvious? :/

[@lucyandaidensadventures7099]

I work at a university counseling center and was considering showing this film to raise eating disorder awareness. I loved it until the last 10 minutes. The sucking milk from a bottle was a little much and I wish the film would have shown a glimpse into a successful future for Eli or some of the other residents. I am not sure I can show the film because of the ending.

[@Elmerphant]

Just to clarify: Lilly has said they never asked or expected her to lose weight. They used make up and CGI. She took it upon herself and was carefully monitored by a nutritionist with zero weight loss goal in mind as to not stress her out. Netflix nor the director asked Lilly to endanger herself.

[@georgiabailey4912]

You should review Binge - Pilot episode here on KZbin. It’s the most amazing take on bulimia and other mental health issues!

[@3684marie1]

Can you watch and review FEED?

[@MissVioletSage]

Katie. Please do a video on coping with our icons suicides. I just learned of Chester Bennington's suicide, someone said his dear friend Chris Cornell would of been 54 today- also by hanging. Chris was a huge impact on my life I'm still not used to that news. These losses, like Scott Weiland, going back to Layne Staley really broke my heart. Next month I honor my brother- he committed suicide a few years ago. I feel overwhelmed with sorrow. I battle these demons myself. This all is hitting me so hard & I am sure many of us fans with depression feel a despair and a hole in us, our idols. My heart is broken and we need some dialogue for us over this painful topic. 🙏

[@followingbreadcrumbs]

ok so i watched the movie after i watched this video. i wasn't worried about watching it because i don't have an ED but when i got to the part where the mom bottle feeds her and that whole scene...i started sobbing and had to pause the movie...that part hit me hard. it's still with me even this morning

[@beatrizmaria5376]

I completely agree with absolutely everything you said!!!!!!!!! Loved the video!!! Loved it.💕 All the arguments you presented were very important.

[@CovaCata]

I think the romance with Luke was there to show that it's not about love... That no one else can save you from an eating disorder but yourself. I feel like there's this false, overly romantic idea that someone can come around, fall in love and save you, that they'll give you what you need and you'll be saved. But it's not like that at all, and we see that in the movie with Luke. Anyway, I loved the movie and I love your channel too! :)

[@rayanbari3468]

She didn't have to. She chose to do it. And she was losing weight safely as a nutritionist was closely monitoring her. She also took prescribed pills to make sure that she got the nutrition she needed.

[@loveandcupcakes100]

I think the romance should have been more clear. What I didn't like was the writers teasing and putting together a relationship between Eli and Lucas and leaving the audience hanging and wondering if the characters learned that they can't depend on each other to recover or if they would be an unhealthy relationship. And hey, I would be fine if they find out they are better friends than a couple. I just think there should have been development. Also, I have to disagree with the ending. It wouldn't have to be a happy ending but I did want to see how Eli's recovery went. What did she learn from her journey? What challenges is she still facing? It would feel like a more complete story.

[@shadesofricoeur4207]

I saw To the Bone a couple nights ago. I really enjoyed it. I felt empathy with the main character and was grateful for its realism, but I also had the thought about what it must have meant for the actor who portrayed Eli because she is clearly anorexic in her real life. I actually loved the Luke relationship thing, not for the fact of the "romance" itself (I'm not a fan of graphic romance), but because it showed Eli wanting a relationship and being in an intimate relationship that she just wasn't up to having. It can be so isolating and FRUSTRATING when you want to be with people and to help people out in their time of need but you just can't because your own boat is in the process of sinking. That moment when Eli encounters Luke on the stairs is the most powerful moment of their relationship: he needs her- his dancing dream and very identity has fallen apart- but she just can't be there for him because she is unable to tolerate the realization that her therapist can't help with the pain that is killing her.

[@KitKat-7417]

I didnt like that she was so skinny. So many girls with anorexia have a hard time getting help and being taken seriously because our culture believes you have to be 30lbs under weight to be anorexic. I have yet to see a movie that does not show a skeleton as a representation of anorexia. Although i did watch one movie, i cant remember the name of it, where the doctor told the anorexic girl's mother that anorexia is a disease of the mind and getting skinny is just a side effect. I think more people need to understand that. In the beginning of my struggle with anorexia, i was 11 years old and tried reaching out to one of my older sisters for help (she was in nursing school) but she said i was fine and wasnt even that thin and that it was a phase that every girl goes through. By the time my family realized there really was something wrong, (since i got so good at hiding it) i was 19 years old, was 5'4", and weighed 92lbs. Those were the worst years of my life and i honestly cant remember what it was like to not have an eating disorder. Even now that im recovered, i still get those thoughts. Maybe if someone had taken me seriously when i was 11 years old and didnt look like a skeleton, i wouldnt have gone through Hell and wouldnt struggle so much now and have all of this permanent damage to my body.

[@dustydoe7436]

I'm a meth addict and I'm literally a skeleton without trying. Why would you want to look like that? Everyone asks me if I have cancer and it's annoying.

[@erin723]

Please review Feed!

[@sweetenercarly]

PLEASE

[@CassiesWorld]

I agree with everything you said. I thought It portrayed an eating disorder very well too. I personally really liked the movie although thought it was a little bit triggering because I'm currently recovering from an eating disorder. I honestly wish there would be a movie about bulimia though. I liked how they had other patients in the treatment with different kinds of eating disorders but I feel like every eating disorder movie the focus is the main character with anorexia so I think there need to be a movie about the main character having bulimia or binge eating disorder or ednos because I feel like those ones are more under looked and people don't know much about them. Loved your review though.:)))

[@sophiatucker04]

I literally loved this movie. I have anorexia and ARFID and it’s literally so accurate. And I LOVED that they put multiple different types of EDs in the movie. Ps. Lily Collins decided that she wanted to lose the weight for the film and it wasn’t pushed onto her. I understand that it is dangerous but I honestly think it brought a whole new depth to the movie.

[@ebtregent5490]

Thanks Kati! I wasn't sure whether to watch this!!

[@lancemaxwell8464]

I agree with you on the part where they irresponsibly let Lily lose weight for the part. I've read a few interviews of her about the film and she said that it was hard for her to lose the weight without going back to her ED past, and that's a risk maybe too big to take for a part in a film

[@strawberrysoymilkshake]

Same as your 13RW review, I fully agree with you! That scene with her mother in the tent KILLED me omg!!! It's so raw and heart wrenching. Luckily Lily Collins did say did well after this and getting back to her normal weight, and nether she nor magazines wanted to put her in the spotlight while she was really skinny (which she said she did with a nutritionists help?) but yeah, it was still a big risk to have her do it. She did make it believable though. 🤔

[@chrism8699]

Actually I think they did reveal a plausible explanation....abandonment by her mother

[@cmalvidrez]

so excited I was waiting for you to do this video

[@RayArias]

"Or the fact that her DAD did not show up!" This is the caption that took me SEVERAL efforts of playing, pausing, and rewinding just to read somewhere at about 2:28 or 2:29. Please, when you put up captions like this, leave them up for longer than a millisecond, unless you're INTENTIONALLY trying to influence us subliminally. LOL! Thanks.

[@ida8355]

Didn’t she say in an interview that loosing the weight was her choice and that Netflix didn’t make her do it. I thought she said it was something she wanted to do to make it more real.

[@富岡忠宏]

"She lost weight because she wanted to", "Nobody was pressuring her", "She had a nutritionist". Are you all nuts? ANY PERSON struggling with anorexia can agree with me, when I say that having an excuse to loose weight is a ticket to relapse! And it will hit with full force! The fact that she deliberately CHOSE to loose weight is the biggest red flag of all! Nobody with an ED-past should go on any sort of restrictive diet! Diet equals relapse! There are NO EXCEPTIONS! If you diet after being weight restored, your brain is absolutely anorexic again! And if you have anorexia and deny this truth than you're in denial about your own problems. Hate me or like me, I don't care.

[@dustydoe7436]

I bet she did the meth diet

[@perfectlyimperfect4260]

This was one of the few mental health depictions that I actually really liked it made it more real and I related to this very deeply

[@journalsbysophie]

Hi Katie, I would like if you could do a review of Split, the movie with James Mcavoy, because I really hate it, and it made me feel so sad, I would like to know your opinion. Also about eating disorders there's a movie called Feed that was written by Troian Bellisario who has had anorexia and used to self harm. and I also really loved this movie too :) great video! You are so right about the actress having to loose weight! it was so irresponsable and I got worried about her too.

[@sweetenercarly]

Yes please kati!!! I want to know what you think of Feed. the writing, acting, and authenticity of it blows "to the bone" out the window. it really showcased the mind of someone with an eating disorder

[@Ava-hu4gc]

I too was disturbed at how they had someone who struggled with an eating disorder lose weight for that role. I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought that was absolutely ridiculous.