The Lovely Bones
Performance & Direction: The Lovely Bones Review
Last updated: January 24, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Lovely Bones (2009) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Fantasy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Fantasy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Lovely Bones features a noteworthy lineup led by Saoirse Ronan . Supported by the likes of Mark Wahlberg and Rachel Weisz , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Lovely Bones (2009) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 7.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Lovely Bones
Quick Plot Summary: The Lovely Bones is a Fantasy, Drama film that transports viewers to imaginative worlds filled with magic, wonder, and epic adventures. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. After being brutally murdered, 14-year-old Susie Salmon watches from heaven over her grief-stricken family -- and her killer. As she observes their daily lives, she must balance her thirst for revenge with her desire for her family to heal. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Thematic Depth
The film operates on multiple levels, using its genre framework to explore deeper themes about human nature, society, and the choices that define us.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Solid execution of genre conventions
- Engaging moments that showcase the filmmakers' vision
- Competent performances from the cast
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Some narrative choices that feel predictable
- Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act
Ending Explained: The Lovely Bones
Ending Breakdown: The Lovely Bones resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to fantasy resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the fantasy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Lovely Bones reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Lovely Bones?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Fantasy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Lovely Bones
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $65.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $93.6M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Lovely Bones Budget
The estimated production budget for The Lovely Bones is $65.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Lovely Bones
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Lovely Bones Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
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Google Play MoviesYouTubeThe Lovely Bones Parents Guide & Age Rating
2009 AdvisoryWondering about The Lovely Bones age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Lovely Bones is 136 minutes (2h 16m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.1/10, and global performance metrics, The Lovely Bones is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2009 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Lovely Bones worth watching?
The Lovely Bones is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Fantasy movies. It has a verified rating of 7.1/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Lovely Bones parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Lovely Bones identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Lovely Bones?
The total duration of The Lovely Bones is 136 minutes, which is approximately 2h 16m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Lovely Bones
Most people have probably seen The Lovely Bones by now but I will keep the spoilers to a minimum. This film will always be remembered as the breakout role for the incredible Saoirse Ronan. It will also be remembered as one of the most controversial films ever made. People tend to break off into two camps: Team Salmon or Team Harvey. It starts off innocently enough: a boy-crazy teenage girl in the 1970s is crushing on a man at school. It seems that he is interested in Susie too and despite the disparity in age, she falls for his charms, mostly due to his exchange student allure and suave accent. As the film progresses, it becomes clear that another gentleman is also interested in the nubile teen. His name is Mr. Harvey and he lives in Susie's neighborhood. Unlike the man from school, Mr. Harvey puts in a tremendous amount of effort in an attempt to win the love of Susie Salmon. He builds her an amazing underground clubhouse, complete with all the stuff young people from that era loved. He had beverages such as Coca Cola that he selflessly shared with Susie as they hung out. It became clear that Mr. Harvey, while having great taste in females, was a bit awkward around them. His nervousness around Susie Salmon was evident and she picked up on that. Girls prefer a man with confidence. I also feel that maybe she was turned off because the Coke that Mr. Harvey gave her was warm. I didn't see an ice-filled cooler in the clubhouse anywhere. So I think these factors all led to Susie Salmon losing her patience, which erupted in an unfortunate display of rudeness. Mr. Harvey only had one rule in the clubhouse: Be polite. Susie Salmon broke that rule and the series of events that followed spiraled into one great, big, unfortunate chain reaction. There are no bad people in The Lovely Bones. True, Susie Salmon came off as being a little narcissistic and immature but she was only 14 years old. Mr. Harvey was socially awkward and made some unfortunate choices in life but he had a deep desire to be loved and respected. Despite his talents and generosity, it seemed nobody opened up their heart to him. The Lovely Bones is a film that will force you to take sides. Whether you end up on Team Harvey or Team Salmon, be prepared for an emotional ride. There are great performances all around. 8/10.
This was a very good movie. I never heard of this movie so i was watching my tv,lazy day so i left this on my tv and i was really interesting movie. I will give a 9 out of 10
Without the rape, from the book, the movie loses all potency and gravitas. In what universe is there a Pro-Harvey/childraping/murderer?
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
