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Comedy drama

To the Bone (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

To the Bone (2017) movie poster

To the Bone is a 2017 comedy drama directed by Marti Noxon, starring Lily Collins, Carrie Preston and Liana Liberato. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $112.5 million worldwide on a $38 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Low Budget – Comedy or Drama at the Artios Awards 2018. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
69%
worldwide gross
$112.5M
award nomination
1
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To the Bone (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
Marti Noxon
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$38M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is To the Bone About?

The premise of To the Bone without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Ellen, a troubled 20-year-old, struggles with anorexia nervosa and the disappointments of previous treatments, pushing her into a dangerous cycle. Her family, desperate for a solution, enrolls her in an unconventional group home. There, she encounters a unique and unorthodox doctor who challenges her to confront her illness and begin a journey toward recovery, exploring the complex emotional and psychological factors contributing to her condition.

To the Bone Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • anorexia
  • eating disorder
  • reference to tumblr
  • sketch artist
  • sister sister relationship
  • pregnancy
  • title directed by female
  • social worker
  • lesbian couple
  • lesbian mother
  • female rear nudity
  • female nudity
+38 more
  • female director
  • female filmmaker
  • lesbian character
  • reference to suicide
  • taco bell
  • sit ups in bed
  • reference to asperger's syndrome
  • stepmother
  • lesbian relationship
  • reference to pier 1 imports
  • reference to cost plus world market
  • reference to raymond chandler
  • reference to jonathan gold
  • group therapy
  • saying grace
  • reference to jesus christ
  • reference to allah
  • reference to oprah winfrey
  • reference to my little pony
  • reference to hello kitty
  • reference to emma stone
  • goo goo cluster
  • reference to george sand
  • underage drinking
  • addiction
  • full moon
  • pretending to have cancer
  • feeding tube
  • reference to anne sexton
  • rehabilitation
  • college dropout
  • art museum
  • name change
  • passing out
  • rice milk
  • half sister
  • overalls
  • family therapy
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Cast & crew

To the Bone Cast

Lily Collins leads the cast, with Carrie Preston and Liana Liberato. Directed by Marti Noxon; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

To the Bone Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave To the Bone 69% on Rotten Tomatoes and 64 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

60 /100

To the Bone Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, To the Bone presents a sincere exploration of its central themes while grappling with uneven execution. Critics and users note that its measured pacing and earnest direction provide clarity on eating disorders, yet the script’s reliance on familiar beats and generalities limits narrative depth. The performances contribute strong emotional undercurrents, but the film’s tonal shifts and occasional flatness temper its impact. Ultimately, the movie offers a thoughtful but uneven experience that resonates most in its intentions.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    The direction and production design are serviceable but lack distinct visual innovation. Some critics describe the editing and framing as predictable and the script offers only general visual cohesion. Others note precise shot composition in restrained sequences that reflect the protagonist’s inner state. Overall, the art and craft contribute to a coherent but unremarkable aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    Character development and acting evoke genuine moments despite inconsistent depth. Lily Collins’s raw performance provides emotional immediacy, and supporting cast members contribute credible interactions. However, some reviews cite occasional flatness in expression and simplistic portrayals that hinder deeper engagement with the lead. On balance, the film offers sincere emotional undertones with only sporadic fully realized character arcs.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The narrative structure is uneven and often veers into predictability. Critics note tepid pacing with general plot beats and an awkward romantic subplot that distracts from the central treatment focus. Positive observations highlight meaningful moments in the protagonist’s healing journey, but these are tempered by familiar rhythms and a lack of deeper insight. Thus, the story maintains interest without offering substantial surprises.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory design yields a restrained but coherent tone throughout. The film’s sound design and score underscore emotional peaks without overt flourish, and the visual style relies on an understated color palette that reflects the protagonist’s inner state. Some viewers find the aesthetic subtle and fitting, while others see few memorable sensory highlights. In sum, the sensory experience supports narrative tone through consistent subtlety rather than spectacle.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Rewatch value is moderate due to the film’s earnest subject treatment but limited narrative depth. Audiences may appreciate nuanced performance details and thematic resonance on subsequent viewings, yet the familiar story beats and pacing issues lessen the desire to revisit. While the film’s sincerity and occasional emotional clarity grant it some replay appeal, its lack of surprising elements constrains lasting engagement. Ultimately, it is more impactful as a single viewing.

Plot

To the Bone Plot Summary

What happens in To the Bone from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Ellen Lily Collins is a 20-year-old college dropout grappling with anorexia who returns home to live with her stepmother, Susan, Carrie Preston, and her father after a failed in-patient program. With her absentee father unwilling to engage, Ellen’s stepmother arranges for her to join a specialized program run by Dr. William Beckham. Ellen is hesitant, but her younger half-sister, Kelly, encourages her to give it a try.

Ellen moves into the house with six other patients, including Luke, an upbeat ballet dancer who is nearing recovery from both his anorexia and a knee injury. Luke acts as a moral support for the group and grows particularly invested in Ellen, eventually revealing that he is a fan of Ellen’s art.

Full summary

The whole story of To the Bone, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

To the Bone Box Office & Budget

To the Bone grossed $112.5 million worldwide on a $38 million budget, 3.0 times what it cost. $46.8 million came from the US and Canada and $65.7 million (58%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$112.5M

3.0× its budget

US & Canada
$46.8M
International
$65.7M
Budget
$38M
US & Canada 42% Rest of the world 58%
Awards

To the Bone Awards & Nominations

To the Bone earned 1 award nomination, including Low Budget – Comedy or Drama at the Artios Awards 2018.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

To the Bone Trailers & Videos

The trailer of To the Bone.

To The Bone | Official Trailer | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know To the Bone?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the first name of the film’s main protagonist?

Details

To the Bone Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Fino all'osso” and “Hasta el hueso”.

Also known as
  • Fino all'osso
  • Hasta el hueso
  • 투 더 본
  • O Mínimo Para Viver
  • 深刻入骨
  • Kemiklerine Kadar
  • До костей
  • Hasta los huesos
  • Aż do kości
  • Έως το Κόκκαλο
  • 骨瘦如柴
  • עד העצם
+10 more
  • До кісток
  • Jusqu'à l'os
  • Até aos Ossos
  • До кости
  • Csontig fogyva
  • 心のカルテ
  • Į kaulus
  • Do kosti
  • Până la os
  • ทู เดอะ โบน

Seen To the Bone?

FAQ

To the Bone FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of To the Bone, each answered in a sentence.

How long is To the Bone?

To the Bone runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was To the Bone released?

To the Bone was released on July 14, 2017.

Who directed To the Bone?

To the Bone was directed by Marti Noxon.

More films by Marti Noxon

Who is in the cast of To the Bone?

To the Bone stars Lily Collins, Carrie Preston and Liana Liberato, among 10 credited actors.

How much did To the Bone make at the box office?

To the Bone grossed $112.5 million worldwide ($46.8 million domestic, $65.7 million international) on a budget of $38 million.

How is To the Bone rated?

To the Bone has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Was To the Bone nominated for any awards?

To the Bone received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does To the Bone have a post-credit scene?

No. To the Bone has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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