[2] Ellen is a 20-year-old college dropout dealing with anorexia, who returns home to the house of her stepmother and father after struggling through an in-patient program and failing to make any progress.

Ellen moves into the house with six other patients, who include five young women and Luke, an upbeat ballet dancer, who is near recovery from both his anorexia and a knee injury.

Later on, she learns that Megan, another woman in the house, miscarried her baby, having resumed her purging after reaching 12 weeks gestation and believing it was safe.

On Eli's way out, Luke begs her to stay, telling her that he needs her, as he realizes that his knee condition is permanent and he will never be able to properly dance again and needs something new on which to focus.

That night, her mother expresses guilt for the postpartum depression she had after giving birth to Ellen and suggests that she might try feeding Eli with a bottle while rocking her to help solve both their issues.

[7] In early April, Lili Taylor, Alex Sharp, Brooke Smith, and Liana Liberato were reported as joining the cast of the film in undisclosed roles.

[8] On April 11, Ciara Bravo was cast in the supporting role of Tracy, a young girl also suffering from an eating disorder.

The website's critical consensus reads, "To the Bone offers an insightful, empathetic look at a widespread issue, led by exemplary work from Lily Collins in the central role.

"[13] Metacritic gives the film an average score of 64 out of 100 based on 14 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

"[17] In response to criticisms, director Marti Noxon said, "My goal with the film was not to glamourise [eating disorders], but to serve as a conversation starter about an issue that is too often clouded by secrecy and misconceptions.