Is To the Bone Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, To the Bone is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 107 minutes and offers a solid storyline that appeals to general audiences.
To the Bone Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2017, To the Bone emerges as a significant entry in the Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A young woman dealing with anorexia meets an unconventional doctor who challenges her to face her condition and embrace life. Unlike standard genre fare, To the Bone attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a refreshing take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and To the Bone features a noteworthy lineup led by Lily Collins . Supported by the likes of Keanu Reeves and Carrie Preston , 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 To the Bone (2017) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.2/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
To the Bone Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: To the Bone is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. A young woman dealing with anorexia meets an unconventional doctor who challenges her to face her condition and embrace life. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- 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 emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's themes.
Thematic Depth
The film delves into universal human experiences—love, loss, identity, and belonging. It holds up a mirror to society, asking difficult questions about morality, choice, and consequence.
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
To the Bone Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: To the Bone resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama 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 drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of To the Bone reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch To the Bone?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
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Full Cast & Crew of To the Bone
- Lily Collins – Ellen
- Keanu Reeves – Dr. William Beckham
- Carrie Preston – Susan
- Lili Taylor – Judy
- Alex Sharp – Luke
Top Highlights
Lily CollinsEllen
Keanu ReevesDr. William Beckham
Carrie PrestonSusan
Lili TaylorJudy
Alex SharpLuke
Liana LiberatoKelly
Brooke SmithOlive
Leslie BibbMegan
Kathryn PrescottAnna
Ciara BravoTracy
Where to Watch To the Bone Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
NetflixParents Guide & Age Rating
To the Bone has not been officially rated yet.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.2/10, and global collection metrics, To the Bone stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2017 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is To the Bone movie hit or flop?
To the Bone is considered a hit based on audience response and box office performance. With a rating of 7.2/10, it's highly recommended for fans of Drama movies.
Is To the Bone worth watching?
Yes, To the Bone is definitely worth watching! It's a must-watch hit for fans of Drama cinema.
Where can I watch To the Bone online?
To the Bone is currently available for streaming on Netflix. You can also check for it on platforms like Netflix depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for To the Bone
**To whom 'Bon Appetit' is a sin!** Another writer, producer turned director. It was her first feature film and she was not bad. The Netflix producing lots of formats like shows, stand-ups, but I'm more interested in in films which they haven't tapped that greatly, yet. I've seen almost all of their films, and I'm quite happy, but in a few occasions, disappointed. This is surely not a disappointment, yet a slight let down. No doubt that it is a wonderful story with a wonderful cast. But did they narrated it properly! I think somewhere, something's not right. One of thing were the sentiments, that made me like it. Otherwise, I would have considered it a below average. A girl with anorexia is further failing to see any success. Her family is so worried, particularly her half sister and stepmother. Could be the family history that affected her to she end up like that. So it explored all sides, giving reasons. With a new programme beginning, a new hope was expected and how this time she ends were revealed with an emotional conclusion. A film with a story like this should have been an Oscar product, especially to see Lily Collins getting the best actress nod. Because her dedication was awesome. But sad to see it got wasted, I mean not being awards' favourite flick. She said it was a very personal film for her. But I thing for me as well for the same reason of hers. A good title, a good poster. Everybody performed well, besides Collins. I know still majority would love it or already loved it, but there are a few like me not that satisfied. Though I won't say it is completely a bad film. That does not stop me from suggesting it to others. Forget the guys like me, as the days to come, I hope it gets its due. Even I to change my stance! _6/10_
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
