Netflix's New Teen Drama Is Being Called Out Online For 'Glamorizing Anorexia'
22 June 2017, 16:21 | Updated: 19 November 2018, 15:58
The first trailer for 'To The Bone' has dropped starring Lily Collins and the internet is torn in its opinion.
Netflix have just unveiled the trailer for upcoming original movie drama To The Bone, an exploration of teen anorexia starring Lily Collins and Keanu Reeves.
The film, written and directed by Marti Noxon, is something of a personal project, both Marti and Lily having previously suffered from an eating disorder themselves.
But already, some people on social media are calling out Netflix for what they perceive as triggering imagery and glamorization of such a serious topic:
IF U HAVE ANY TRIGGERS ATTACHED TO FOOD/ED DO NOT WATCH THE TRAILER FOR THE NETFLIX SERIES "TO THE BONE"
— jenni (@Jenn1Monahan) June 20, 2017
i can see what netflix are trying to do with To The Bone but i can see it causing more harm than good
— nic (@circasIaves) June 20, 2017
Netflix's 'to the bone' is just a massive trigger to anyone with mental health problems or any form of eating disorder, it is not helpful
— morgan (@mxrganmc) June 20, 2017
Seriously fuck Netflix for making To the Bone. Even the trailer is triggering. What do you think it'll do to its impressionable viewers?
— starving (@SkinnyRoyalty) June 20, 2017
Netflix's To The Bone is a prime example of companies exploiting severe mental illnesses, using the same old white manic pixie trope.
— Jemimah Eden Vaughan (@jemimahvaughan) June 20, 2017
Wanna see a perfect example of the media glamorizing mental illnesses? Neither did I.#ToTheBone
— Lymade (@phiathetortilla) June 22, 2017
But, at the same time, there are some coming to the show's defence, citing the writer's history with the illness and the fact that the trailer may not be fully representative of the film as a whole:
To The Bone was written by a woman who was anorexic & stars Lily Collins who overcame ED. This is NOT a 13rw case. pic.twitter.com/EKoEY9iGko
— Ariel (@fIoraIprints) June 20, 2017
before y'all go off about to the bone maybe do your research it's written and directed by someone who had an eating disorder
— n | was rhaegardied (@JEONSBEGlN) June 20, 2017
Netflix recently came under criticism following the release of 13 Reasons Why which, while wildly popular among its teenage audience, was later criticised by many mental health charities for its depiction of suicide. The streaming services even increased its level of trigger warnings in certain parts of the world as a result of the controversy.
To The Bone is set to debut on Netflix July 14th. Will you be watching? Let us know your thoughts over on our Facebook page.
