In March 2016 , Collins joined the anorexia drama film '' To the Bone '' in the lead role , written and directed by Marti Noxon . The film follows Ellen or Eli , a 20 year old woman suffering from anorexia nervosa . It premiered in competition at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22 , 2017 , as a contender in the U.S. Dramatic Competition . It was released worldwide on Netflix on July 14 , 2017 . When the film was first released on Netflix there was some controversy about whether the film would be triggering for those with eating disorders . This controversy was also influenced by another Netflix original show '' 13 Reasons Why '' after it was accused of glamouring suicide . Despite the taboo topic of the movie , Collins depiction of Ellen by described as " exemplary work from Lily Collins in the central role " . Justin Chang of '' Los Angeles Times '' wrote that " In a different film , Ellen 's sharp tongue might have made her an insufferable fount of wisecracking negativity , but Collins ' performance is subtler than that , and the script gives her ample opportunity to reveal the character 's more complicated , vulnerable edges . " Collins was also cast in the Netflix drama film '' Okja '' directed by Bong Joon-ho , alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Tilda Swinton . The film competed for the '' Palme d'Or '' in the main competition section at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and received a four minute standing ovation after its premiere . It was released on Netflix on June 28 , 2017
2017 Cannes Film Festival
2017 Cannes Film Festival
Lily Collins