Although an eating disorder comes into play as the sister tries to quickly join her twin brother I'm not sure if that is the main focus of this story. It seems that anxiety disorder, depression, hallucinations, schizophrenia, and even a possibility of a brain injury from her car accident created this alternate reality that we experience throughout the story. Very well acted, and of course the writers had to leave a "you decide the ending" ending.
25 Reviews
Major Norman Bates vibes
princess-fairy201027 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This movie really reminds me of Norman bates from the show hates motel. Main character loses loved one and then start imagining they're still alive and goes on with their lives only for the main character to develop mental issues. I really enjoyed it as it's not a role I see Tom Felton In too often
Um
savanaraef29 May 2021
Psychological drama and thriller
Brainscreens14 August 2017
If you saw this movie's trailer and was like oh that's pure horror.. like many many of my friends.. don't judge it yet watch the movie it's very interesting and eye opening to so many issues and the best thing is the decent acting of Troian Bellisario who did a wonderful job, the story itself is amazing it holds a lot of realistic aspects and that's what makes it even better and the respect that the movie showed for anorexia is what made me fall in love with it although you witness a challenging heartbreaking experience you will have better understanding to these issues that a lot of people go through.
Feeding myself somewhere else
lwilliams74720 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"Feed" is a movie I went into with high expectations because I have immense respect for Troian's story and her, as a person. She's real, authentic, warm, funny, and intelligent, and her story carries such gravity from a mental health, physical, emotional, and spiritual standpoint, but this was just terrible. Maybe my first mistake was going in with high expectations because in doing that I was sure to be let down and let down I was.
It was gimmicky and tried too hard to be clever, which led the whole story to feel contrived and me to not care about any of the characters and what happened to them. Not to mention that it had too many themes and didn't truly focus on anorexia, and fully flesh that out and all of what that means, expect for random pans to uneaten plates of food and Liv's gradual dissent into this world she has built for herself, but even that whole journey gets caught up in pretentious, muddled melodrama. I understand the idea of an evil, relentlessly controlling voice, and Troian trying to portray that, personify it even, but it just didn't work because I didn't find it believable in the slightest. It felt again like trying too hard and forcing something that wasn't working. Like it was nothing but a plot device. I wish there had been more focus on honest feelings, conversations, grieving, love, and coming to grips with recovery. None of it felt honest or sincere and that's where this movie lost me the most.
There were also parts that were confusing and hard to follow, notably the ambivalent character of Casey, as well as, we can't forget this, the weird incest hinted at between Liv and Matt. That was truly a sight to behold, the cupping of the chin, oh the cupping of the chin. Heart be still. Also, what was with all the slow motion falling scenes, as if it was constantly trying to be something more dramatic then it needed to be. It was all just too much, to be honest, too saturated with something that vaguely resembled tries at thoughtful meditations on life and death, which failed because each try was heavy- handed. That fits this movie to a T: heavy-handed.
Call me terrible for saying this because she took eight years to write this, and respect, serious respect, but the dialogue wasn't that strong, it just fell flat and didn't do the subject matter justice. And the music was horrible. Music is supposed to subtly accentuate moments and emotions, but this music just seemed unfitting and unnecessarily dark like I'd stumbled into a cheesy horror movie, complete with performances that weren't strong enough to offset or anchor all of the movie's other problems. Especially the parents...what was their problem?!
You may love this, so I won't stop you from digging in because meals aren't one size fits all, we all have different palates after all, but I think I'll feed myself elsewhere. Perhaps a restaurant with well done meals that have more heart and substance, instead of forgettable, showy portions.
It was gimmicky and tried too hard to be clever, which led the whole story to feel contrived and me to not care about any of the characters and what happened to them. Not to mention that it had too many themes and didn't truly focus on anorexia, and fully flesh that out and all of what that means, expect for random pans to uneaten plates of food and Liv's gradual dissent into this world she has built for herself, but even that whole journey gets caught up in pretentious, muddled melodrama. I understand the idea of an evil, relentlessly controlling voice, and Troian trying to portray that, personify it even, but it just didn't work because I didn't find it believable in the slightest. It felt again like trying too hard and forcing something that wasn't working. Like it was nothing but a plot device. I wish there had been more focus on honest feelings, conversations, grieving, love, and coming to grips with recovery. None of it felt honest or sincere and that's where this movie lost me the most.
There were also parts that were confusing and hard to follow, notably the ambivalent character of Casey, as well as, we can't forget this, the weird incest hinted at between Liv and Matt. That was truly a sight to behold, the cupping of the chin, oh the cupping of the chin. Heart be still. Also, what was with all the slow motion falling scenes, as if it was constantly trying to be something more dramatic then it needed to be. It was all just too much, to be honest, too saturated with something that vaguely resembled tries at thoughtful meditations on life and death, which failed because each try was heavy- handed. That fits this movie to a T: heavy-handed.
Call me terrible for saying this because she took eight years to write this, and respect, serious respect, but the dialogue wasn't that strong, it just fell flat and didn't do the subject matter justice. And the music was horrible. Music is supposed to subtly accentuate moments and emotions, but this music just seemed unfitting and unnecessarily dark like I'd stumbled into a cheesy horror movie, complete with performances that weren't strong enough to offset or anchor all of the movie's other problems. Especially the parents...what was their problem?!
You may love this, so I won't stop you from digging in because meals aren't one size fits all, we all have different palates after all, but I think I'll feed myself elsewhere. Perhaps a restaurant with well done meals that have more heart and substance, instead of forgettable, showy portions.
Best Eating Disorder Movie
sebailes19 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
As a person recovering from anorexia, I have to say that this is the BEST eating disorder movie that I have seen. It's such a shame that it came out so closely to To The Bone, because Feed is the movie that needs to be getting all the mainstream attention, not TTB. Feed does a wonderful job of portraying what living with an eating disorder is like without romanticizing the disorder or throwing out unnecessary behaviors. Of course as an eating disorder movie it has the potential to be triggering to eating disorder sufferers, but I think that they handled everything extremely well so that everything is as realistic as possible while still being as little triggering as possible. I think it was an AMAZING connection of how they portrayed Olivia's eating disorder as her deceased twin brother. That is EXACTLY what an eating disorder is! A trusted voice that you can't even see the harm in because you find so much comfort in it. The eating disorder was so incredibly hard for Olivia to let go of because letting go of it was also letting go of her brother. AMAZING. Perfect portrayal of what an eating disorder is like. I also loved how the focus was not on Olivia's weight loss or behaviors or body or anything. It focused on the root of the disorder, which is the part that everyone can relate to. Everyone's disorder is different because of different behaviors or body types or whatever, but we can all relate to the dangerous voice in our head disguised as a comforting friend. This movie did everything right. I cannot praise this movie enough. 10000000/10 and beyond for sure.
Very unexpected twist bringing new light to mental illness, anorexia and what it feels like.
joannakaczor18 July 2017
What an amazing performance and script showcasing our inner demons and battles. Troian brought a different light into inner struggles and hopefully, this movie will bring more awareness and less taboo about mental illness. Watching movies like these is what makes you feel more comfortable about speaking your truth and finally bringing a new perspective and openness towards battles a lot more people than we would like to admit, deal with. Definitely an amazing debut for Troian Bellisario as screenwriter and producer.
Feed is a piece of art.
kelseybrooker19 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Never have I seen such a heartbreaking, eye-opening, beautiful film. Troian Bellisario's acting is just simply incredible, each scene very real and raw. The script is just fantastic, Troian is very brave to put this story out there especially with it being so personal to her. This film will make you feel many emotions and left me sobbing by the end. Have watched it multiple times since it was released and I can not stop thinking about it. I would highly recommend anyone to watch this masterpiece!!
Accurate.
grace_mijares19 July 2017
I have been dealing with an eating disorder almost my whole life, I've seen many movies and documentaries about it, and this one is the first one that perfectly captures the feeling i have never been able to express out loud. Troian did a brilliant job telling such a emotional story, which is also based on her own struggle, i applaud the intimacy she shared with the public, and im sure this film will help people understand what having an eating disorder truly is about: control.
A film of truth
lisablanchard-5143620 July 2017
I have to say, as an aspiring writer who has been failed by society and its twisted way of diminishing mental health, I am in complete awe. I knew Troian and Tom were something but this is beyond. Rarely have I seen movies that depict mental health from a place that is so real. Rarely have I seen movies that show the ugly as beautifully as Feed does. I knew of Troian's history with mental health from what she has mentioned in interviews but honestly had I not known, after watching Feed, I would still know. There seems to be an authenticity to art when it comes from experience. There is a truth that however long you study a case, you can never truly understand and portray have you not lived through it yourself. I know too much how tough writing about certain things can be and that is also probably why I am so touched by Feed. Troian, you did all of this so courageously and I personally thank you for it. Tommy, your directing is so unique and delicate, I look forward to seeing more features of yours. Also, props to Jennifer Vecchiarello for the editing. I can oddly tell that this film was made for good reasons, and that makes it earn so many points.
A really beautiful and haunting movie about a serious subject
Clori33320 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This is a really beautiful and haunting movie about a serious subject. I feel like I actually understand a tiny bit what having an eating disorder would feel like even though I've never been through it myself. The cinematography was superb, and so was Troian's acting. I was captivated by every moment in this film, which is an extreme rarity.
One of the best portrayals of an eating disorder I've ever seen
laurenpezza-xx20 July 2017
It's hard not to review this film without comparing it to To the Bone, due to them tackling the same subject matter and coming out so close to one another. But watching To the Bone first really enabled me to put my finger on what it was I liked so much about this film, and why it was so different to other portrayals of anorexia I've seen. It really allowed you to get into the mind of the sufferer, and drove home the fact that it is more than just not eating, that it is all consuming and that it becomes your reality. Where I saw To the Bone as a kind of surface level exploration of the disease and the way it's perceived by others, that ultimately added nothing much to what people already know about it, you can see that Feed was created with the sole intention of allowing people to empathise and understand this condition more. It let us get into the mind of the individual rather than just watch them, and not once did I feel as if it was used as a plot device or a quirk to drive another story.
Anorexia never had to even be said out loud, and yet we saw it through Liv's visions of her brother, who I suppose is the physical incarnation of the voice that an individual hears. The way it was done was very clever, and less obvious. The whole thing was beautifully shot, acted and written. Lastly, I thought the ending was very, very realistic and true to how an individual with an ED really moves on with their life, and the nature of recovery.
Anorexia never had to even be said out loud, and yet we saw it through Liv's visions of her brother, who I suppose is the physical incarnation of the voice that an individual hears. The way it was done was very clever, and less obvious. The whole thing was beautifully shot, acted and written. Lastly, I thought the ending was very, very realistic and true to how an individual with an ED really moves on with their life, and the nature of recovery.
Excellent movie!
hongkong-2637719 July 2017
This movie claimed every emotion I had, it is great! It absolutely wrung me out. The acting by the 3 leads, Troian, Tom and Ben is excellent. The photography with the slow motion scenes are incredible. The director brought this all together in an amazing and emotional way. People will be talking about this movie.
Brilliant
brandywalker-2158121 July 2017
Personifying the ED voice is exactly the tangible concept so many people who do not understand eating disorders needed to see in order to get a glimpse into the eerie, dark world or anorexia. Bellisario is the first person I've ever known to be able to articulate, from a sufferers perspective, what it is to have anorexia. She did it without sensationalizing, glamorizing, or glorifying it. I am 1 1/2 yrs into recovery and watched it without being triggered but rather with such empathy and hope that non-sufferers could finally get a small glimpse into the world of anorexia. I agree with another reviewer that stated Feed should be the movie that is getting national attention as THIS movie is more true to the nature of the illness.
Brilliantly done Troian Bellisario!! Standing ovation! I truly hope this film gets the recognition it so rightly deserves.
Brilliantly done Troian Bellisario!! Standing ovation! I truly hope this film gets the recognition it so rightly deserves.
Great movie re struggles of loss and ED - well acted and written
leestein21 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoyed this movie. I felt the acting and writing were both very well done - the story really took you with her into her world and descent into what manifested as her eating disorder (which is why I think the falling metaphor is used throughout) and the struggle to try and climb back up. I felt the relationship with her twin brother and the use of his character to illustrate her fall was well executed. I did have a bit of a struggle with their relationship at times. There were glimpses of something more, almost incest, but you know that is just from her mind so was there something to that potential story line? He seemed very angry with her at the party when he saw her with her boyfriend - more so than I would think would come from a 'protective brother' anger and I was left with that question, unanswered by the movie. Was he that angry because there were feelings of closeness that went beyond 'normal' between siblings or was it something else? I also was left with a few questions about Casey's character - similar to those another reviewer already mentioned.
Still, I enjoyed the movie very much. I thought the ending was well done and true to struggles with ED or and other mental disorders, such as depression/anxiety. There's no quick fix or "cure" - there is always a struggle of some form.
Still, I enjoyed the movie very much. I thought the ending was well done and true to struggles with ED or and other mental disorders, such as depression/anxiety. There's no quick fix or "cure" - there is always a struggle of some form.
An Excellent Dramatic Representation Of The Eating Disorder Voice
happyfloss-6827621 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
As a mother of a teen who has been successful in recovery from anorexia since 2012 when she was diagnosed at the age of 13, this film brought me to tears. Through my ED advocacy work and my child's experience, I very well understand the minds of these sufferers. The use of Olivia's dead twin brother Matt as the voice and presence of the eating disorder(ED) inside Olivia's mind was creative and Brilliant!
The story line gave an accurate representation of how a ED voice within the sufferer constantly barks orders requiring absolute loyalty to the illnesses, with constant intrusive thoughts inside the sufferers mind. ED tells the sufferer they must restrict food intake and/or exercise, purge,and self harm. Many ED sufferers choose to take their own lives to escape the torture of these constant thoughts. ED constantly finds faults and tells lies. ED makes one anxious, paranoid, and hostile. Yet deep inside of the person with this illness, their true self still remains.
Eating disorders are biologically based mental illnesses and are fully treatable with a combination of nutritional, medical, and therapeutic support. Recovery is extremely hard work, and those that fight for recovery are the bravest people I know.
BRAVA to TROIAN BELLISARIO for this film. Your depiction of ED brought me back in time to 5 years ago when that horrid state of panic and sadness filled my mind in fear for my child's life. Your film reminded me of how frighteningly intrusive this battle is for all who suffer from ED.
The story line gave an accurate representation of how a ED voice within the sufferer constantly barks orders requiring absolute loyalty to the illnesses, with constant intrusive thoughts inside the sufferers mind. ED tells the sufferer they must restrict food intake and/or exercise, purge,and self harm. Many ED sufferers choose to take their own lives to escape the torture of these constant thoughts. ED constantly finds faults and tells lies. ED makes one anxious, paranoid, and hostile. Yet deep inside of the person with this illness, their true self still remains.
Eating disorders are biologically based mental illnesses and are fully treatable with a combination of nutritional, medical, and therapeutic support. Recovery is extremely hard work, and those that fight for recovery are the bravest people I know.
BRAVA to TROIAN BELLISARIO for this film. Your depiction of ED brought me back in time to 5 years ago when that horrid state of panic and sadness filled my mind in fear for my child's life. Your film reminded me of how frighteningly intrusive this battle is for all who suffer from ED.
Beautiful and genuine; best ED movie I've ever seen
shelbyhilliker23 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I've never reviewed a movie before, but I felt compelled to because this one moved me so much.
This movie portrays eating disorders with incredible honesty and accuracy. I've seen my fair share of ED films, and this has blown them all out of the water. The focus here is not on weight, or food, or bathroom scales. There's no cheesy scene where the main actress pinches her skin and complains about being fat. For Olivia, weight loss isn't the goal, but just a side effect of the real issues. That is SO important. So many movies make it out to be a vanity thing. This one knows better, and highlights the ways that eating disorders can be a coping mechanism. And with that, it drives home the real reason that recovery is so terrifying.
Troian Bellisario's acting is phenomenal. I think it's because of her that I cried so much during this movie. She makes the elements of loss feel all too real. The ending, without spoiling it, is refreshing and authentic.
This movie portrays eating disorders with incredible honesty and accuracy. I've seen my fair share of ED films, and this has blown them all out of the water. The focus here is not on weight, or food, or bathroom scales. There's no cheesy scene where the main actress pinches her skin and complains about being fat. For Olivia, weight loss isn't the goal, but just a side effect of the real issues. That is SO important. So many movies make it out to be a vanity thing. This one knows better, and highlights the ways that eating disorders can be a coping mechanism. And with that, it drives home the real reason that recovery is so terrifying.
Troian Bellisario's acting is phenomenal. I think it's because of her that I cried so much during this movie. She makes the elements of loss feel all too real. The ending, without spoiling it, is refreshing and authentic.
One of my favourite movies, starring one of my favourite actors
prettylittlevampiresb26 September 2017
Troian Bellisario is a main character in the hit TV series pretty little liars which where most people know her best from although most people don't that she herself struggled with an eating disorder for years which is why this movie if so personal. To be honest before watching this i knew hardly anything about eating disorders but afterwards I had a desire to know more. Olivia Baker takes you through her fascinating journey of struggling with an eating disorder after the death of her twin brother Matt. This movie will at times have you feeling emotional, angry, frustrated, relieved and happy all at once. It is by far one of the most realistic movies about eating disorders there is. I cannot fault the acting of the characters in Feed as their acting skillls were impeccable, i felt what they felt and as Olivia cried I cried. I would definitely recommend this movie to a friend
Strong feelings
cebotarifelicia18 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Troian knows exactly how to show us what is like.. her acting is perfect, from the perfect girl she is acting, at the problematic girl.
Her scene in front of the therapist, when she was fighting her "brother" and at the same time she was saying the truth was so moving !
It also shows us how cold some parents can be. I find that lousing weight is a very popular subject in 2017, and a lot of girl get eating disorder, some scenes in " Feed " can relate the situation they are getting in.
Her scene in front of the therapist, when she was fighting her "brother" and at the same time she was saying the truth was so moving !
It also shows us how cold some parents can be. I find that lousing weight is a very popular subject in 2017, and a lot of girl get eating disorder, some scenes in " Feed " can relate the situation they are getting in.
Realistic
mariewileman2 November 2020
I stumbled across this movie and am shocked that I've never heard about it before. It should be well known at the very fact of how raw, realistic, and accurate it is. The portrayal of family, grief and eating disorders is almost too touching. I found myself crying through many scenes as I could truly feel the actors pain. Tom and Torian did a phenomenal job and deserve much more praise for these roles.
Absolutely speechless. Amazing.
hahollinshead1 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
After knowing Troian Bellisario as her most renowned role of Spencer Hastings, I'd like to begin my review by commending Troian on her absolute raw talent as an actress. Not once did I confuse the two characters. Not once did I see Spencer- this was purely Olivia. Feed was artistic, beautifully ugly, vehement, and so much more. In comparison to To The Bone, Feed delved deep into the sole cause of an eating disorder, allowing non-sufferers to experience and understand what it's really like in the mind of someone with anorexia. To personify the voice in her head as her deceased twin was something done so subtly, but with such artistic intelligence and in the final scenes, when she battles internally, truly makes one sympathise with Olivia. Congratulations, Troian. This is the most thought provoking movie I have seen in a long time, it's just a shame it came out so close to To The Bone, because this film deserves every award and tenfold.
Wow! What a powerful movie
francoischristana11 July 2021
To start off, I'm a twin but we're both females and we're definitely joined at the hip so I can relate to their relationship. I understand why the title is called Feed .. Liv was in a deep depression over the loss of her twin brother and "negative energy" took advantage of that by using her brother to make her harm herself and I'm glad at the end the outcome was she realize she had to use her strength to fight back.
A Worth Watch! What loss feels like?
ishanidas-3070028 March 2021
I loved this movie. The emotions of loss are so intensely shown in the movie. You got to see the world from the point of view of a person who has lost the very reason for her happy life. Great acting by both of the actors. It really made me so emotional.
She didn't have an eating disorder
slam_dew14 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this twice and consistently tried to find the place where we found out that she had an eating disorder. I couldn't find it, until I finally realized she did not have an eating disorder. She felt the need to stop eating because her dead twin told her that she needed to feed him, and that is why she stopped eating. She did not have an eating disorder prior to him dying. He told her that he needed the nutrients to stay alive, she was eating perfectly fine before that.
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