Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

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.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

The Lovely Bones is a 2009 supernatural drama film directed by Peter Jackson, adapted from Alice Sebold's novel. It follows a murdered teenager who watches her family from the afterlife.

What it is

The film stars Saoirse Ronan as Susie Salmon, a 14-year-old girl killed by a neighbour. From a liminal heaven, she observes her family's grief and search for justice. The cast includes Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, and Stanley Tucci as the killer.

Key details

Peter Jackson co-wrote the screenplay with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. The film runs 135 minutes and is rated PG-13. It blends drama with fantasy and mystery elements. In Canada, it was released theatrically and also distributed in French as La Nostalgie de l'ange.

Why it matters

The Lovely Bones is a notable adaptation of a bestselling novel, exploring themes of loss, healing, and the afterlife. It received mixed reviews but was praised for Stanley Tucci's performance and visual style.

In short

  • Directed by Peter Jackson, based on Alice Sebold's 2002 novel.
  • Saoirse Ronan plays Susie Salmon, a murdered teen watching from the afterlife.
  • Stanley Tucci plays the neighbour responsible for the killing.
  • Rated PG-13, runtime 135 minutes.
Canadian angle

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]

Quick questions

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.
Who stars in The Lovely Bones?
The film stars Saoirse Ronan, Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, and Stanley Tucci.
Is The Lovely Bones based on a book?
Yes. It is based on Alice Sebold's 2002 novel The Lovely Bones.

Sources

  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.