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The Lovely Bones

The Lovely Bones is a 2009 supernatural drama film directed by Peter Jackson and based on Alice Sebold’s 2002 novel of the same name.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Lovely Bones is a 2009 supernatural drama film directed by Peter Jackson and based on Alice Sebold’s 2002 novel of the same name. It stars Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, and Stanley Tucci, and follows a murdered girl who watches over her family from the afterlife.

Plot

The story follows 14-year-old Susie Salmon after she is murdered by a neighbour and watches the impact on her family from heaven or an in-between world. As she observes events, she is torn between seeking revenge and helping her family heal.

Production

The film was directed by Peter Jackson from a screenplay he co-wrote with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. It was produced as an adaptation of Alice Sebold’s novel.

Cast

The principal cast includes Saoirse Ronan as Susie Salmon, Mark Wahlberg as her father, Rachel Weisz as her mother, Susan Sarandon as Grandma Lynn, and Stanley Tucci as George Harvey.

Release and reception

The film was released in 2009 and is rated PG-13, with a runtime of 135 minutes. Source listings describe it as a drama with fantasy, mystery, or thriller elements.

Key facts

  • The Lovely Bones is a 2009 supernatural drama directed by Peter Jackson and adapted from Alice Sebold’s novel.
  • Saoirse Ronan stars as Susie Salmon, a murdered teenager who observes her family from the afterlife.
  • Stanley Tucci plays the neighbour responsible for the killing.
  • The film has a runtime of 135 minutes and is rated PG-13.
  • It was released theatrically in Canada and distributed in French under the title La Nostalgie de l'ange.
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Canadian context

The film was released theatrically in Canada and was also distributed in French-language contexts under the title Lovely Bones, with a Quebec title of La Nostalgie de l'ange.[6]

Frequently asked questions

What is The Lovely Bones?
It is a 2009 supernatural drama film directed by Peter Jackson and adapted from Alice Sebold’s novel.
Who wrote The Lovely Bones film?
Peter Jackson co-wrote the screenplay with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.
Who stars in The Lovely Bones?
The film stars Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, and Michael Imperioli.
What is The Lovely Bones about?
It follows a murdered girl who watches her family from the afterlife while they search for her killer and try to heal.
What is the film’s rating and runtime?
It is rated PG-13 and runs 135 minutes.
Is The Lovely Bones based on a book?
Yes. It is based on Alice Sebold’s 2002 novel The Lovely Bones.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lovely_Bones_(film)
    Supports: Release year, director, screenplay writers, source novel, cast, and plot overview.
  2. Paramount Pictures — https://www.paramountpictures.com/movies/the-lovely-bones
    Supports: Release year, rating, genre, runtime, and plot synopsis.
  3. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-lovely-bones/2000350244/
    Supports: Runtime, genre, PG-13 rating, cast, and synopsis.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1189344-lovely_bones
    Supports: Director, rating, genre, runtime, release date, and synopsis.
  5. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-lovely-bones
    Supports: Plot description, cast, director, MPAA rating, and runtime.
  6. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovely_Bones
    Supports: French and Quebec titles and adaptation from Alice Sebold's novel.