The Shocking True Story of The Starving Girls Behind 'The Wonder' | Netflix

The haunting stories of the real life 'fasting girls' have shocked historians for decades. Author Emma Donoghue and actress Niamh Algar discuss their tragic legacy. The Wonder, starring Florence Pugh, is now streaming on Netflix.

0:00 - The Real Story of The Fasting Girls
1:23 - Mollie J. Fancher 'The Brooklyn Enigma'
2:21 - Sarah Jacob 'The Welsh Fasting Girl'
3:18 - Fasting Girls in the Middle Ages
3:41 - Catherine Of Siena
4:08 - The Boston Girl
4:16 - Medical Experiments and Exploitation of The Fasting Girls

#TheWonder #FlorencePugh #Netflix

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[babilabub]

While FP is exceptional in her role, the little girl who plays Anna is equally talented too. This movie is beautifully made.

[sophiaisabelle]

The Wonder is a phenomenal film. Florence Pugh no doubt gave her all in this. It's a very difficult subject matter to discuss, but somehow we should all be aware of it.

[RobertFallon]

A rich, multilayered story. Going into it, my sympathies were with the poor and ignorant. The film does a great job in portraying this rural Irish culture as something utterly strange, the people unknowable and incomprehensible—an excellent snapshot of cultural difference, and in the end, of all-too-human sameness.

[cynhanrahan]

Raised Catholic, I chose Catherine of Sienna as my patron saint for my confirmation. There was no information on her eating disorder in any of the books we were given access too. Oddly enough, without previous knowledge, I became anorexic and had many relapses. It took a long time to learn to eat even when I was having trouble swallowing at all.

[tishyadey]

this film is truly phenomenal. kudos to the whole cast and crew.

[BamitzSam]

When Kitty broke the 4th wall and made eye contact with the camera, it honestly gave me CHILLS.

[YesJellyfish]

This is a strange film, in a good way. Makes you think. The acting is terrific! Thank you for sharing the history!

[cervidae]

this movie was incredible and moved me to tears. i was near inconsolable, just staring and listening to the end credit's music. while i've never been forcibly fasted, i am a survivor of many things. Anna's end and Nan's beginning healed the hurt little girl in me just a little bit more

[RingfSaturn]

The Wonder is a beautifully filmed story with lovely performances by Niamh Algar, Florence Pugh and Kíla Lord Cassidy. Emma Donoghue has written a thought-provoking story based on historical accounts of "fasting girls". Donoghue's story, Room was similarly phenomenal. If you prefer films and stories that challenge you (without unnecessary violence), I'd recommend both films.

[mariamysoul]

The best film Netflix has ever made. Ms Flo should get an oscar! and every book by Emma Donoghue should be a movie!

[carmenemerson]

I found it to be a film about the pathology of religious extremism, in this case a mother's attempt to save both her children from eternal damnation due to the terrible family secret they all kept (no spoilers from me).

[workingstudentera]

I just finished watching it. I had to know if this is a true story. The movie was simply phonemenal. A rare gem nowadays.

[amberwarner]

Such an amazing movie. So worth the watch. Florence is incredible as usual. I loved this film so very much and it will stay with me forever.

[prosperwoman]

The artistic brush in this movie is amazing! Like interacting in a Vermeer painting. Mesmerising lighting and acting. Wow and wow !@

[InsideKarensHead]

as a recovering anorexic...its quite possible to live without food for quite a long time. I attended my sophomore year of high school without eating any food. I did drink water I would pretend to eat things but would never consume anything. I got down to 86 pounds but never got smaller than a size 8/10. I've struggled with this disorder for a very long time. I'm now 56 and would rather not eat most of the time. But have since learned how to be a keto carnivore and use intermittent fasting so I am using that lack of desire to eat to my advantage and doing it in a healthy way. I have also been visiting an emotion code facilitator to assist me in releasing the emotions that caused the original hurt that began my eating disorder and have made great progress. I can say that I am no longer disgusted by looking at my body. I still have a ways to go to find full healing but I now know its possible.

[princepeterwolf]

Incredible film all around, def one of the best I've seen all year. Florence should get an Oscar nomination for her performance here, she's fantastic

[flatandsplat]

Fantastic film. Hadn't heard of it it at all and just randomly chose to watch it last week. Was sooo good

[DreyNova]

I thought it was interesting that the name Anna was used. In pro-anorexia (a dark part of society that encourages self-starvation, I've recovered from it after 2 years), Anorexia is referred to as Ana, or the Goddess Ana. Obviously, this is the devil's work, and beware of it. Stay safe, my loves!

[johanagutierrez]

I loved this movie, is interesting, misterious and facinated. Florence Pug excelent acting and the little girl amazing.

[cassandra]

Props for sharing the history, very interesting!