The Lovely Bones (2009)

Last updated:
September 4, 2025

The Lovely Bones (2009), directed by Peter Jackson, is a supernatural drama that mixes elements of crime, fantasy, and family tragedy. Based on Alice Sebold’s bestselling novel, the film attempts to translate a deeply emotional and darkly poetic story onto the big screen.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Susie Salmon’s Ordinary Life

The story follows Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan), a 14-year-old girl growing up in Pennsylvania in the 1970s. She has dreams of becoming a photographer and is navigating adolescence with her supportive parents, Jack (Mark Wahlberg) and Abigail (Rachel Weisz). Everything seems fairly ordinary—until one fateful day.

The Murder

Susie is lured by her neighbor, George Harvey (Stanley Tucci), into an underground bunker he secretly built. Harvey brutally murders her, though the film tactfully avoids showing the act in graphic detail. From this moment, Susie narrates the story from a place between life and death, referred to as the “In-Between,” a liminal realm that is both beautiful and haunting.

The Aftermath

Her family is devastated by her disappearance. Jack becomes obsessed with finding out the truth, convinced Harvey is behind it, while Abigail slowly withdraws and eventually leaves the family, unable to cope. Susie, from her in-between world, watches everything unfold, struggling to let go of her earthly attachments.

The Investigation

The police initially dismiss Jack’s suspicions. Harvey carefully covers his tracks and continues to live quietly, planning more crimes. Lindsey (Susie’s sister) eventually grows suspicious of him as well and bravely sneaks into his house, finding disturbing evidence. Harvey nearly catches her, but she escapes.

Susie’s In-Between World

Visually, the film portrays Susie’s limbo through surreal, dreamlike landscapes—rolling fields, crashing ships in bottles, endless horizons. Here, Susie meets other victims of Harvey, realizing the scale of his crimes. At the same time, she struggles with her desire for justice and her need to help her family heal.

Movie Ending

The ending is bittersweet and haunting.

Lindsey’s Discovery: Lindsey breaks into Harvey’s house and finds a notebook filled with drawings of his underground bunker and details of his crimes. She manages to escape with this evidence, finally validating Jack’s suspicions.
Harvey’s Fate: Harvey flees town before the police can arrest him. While attempting to lure another victim, he meets his downfall—an icicle breaks from a cliff, striking him, and he falls to his death. His body is never discovered, which leaves the family without legal closure but offers poetic justice.
Susie’s Farewell: Susie finally accepts her death. In a beautifully shot sequence, she lets go of her attachment to Earth and enters the afterlife, where she is reunited with Harvey’s other victims. She narrates her final words about love, loss, and the resilience of life.
The Family’s Healing: Though broken, the Salmon family begins to move forward. Jack and Abigail reconcile after years of distance, while Lindsey builds her own life. The final tone is one of healing through grief, even if justice is incomplete.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Lovely Bones does not have any post-credits scenes. The story ends with Susie’s narration and her peaceful transition to the afterlife, leaving viewers with a sense of closure.

Type of Movie

This is a supernatural crime drama that combines elements of thriller, fantasy, and family drama. It is not a typical crime film—it focuses less on police work and more on grief, healing, and the spiritual journey of its young protagonist.

Cast

Saoirse Ronan as Susie Salmon
Mark Wahlberg as Jack Salmon
Rachel Weisz as Abigail Salmon
Stanley Tucci as George Harvey
Rose McIver as Lindsey Salmon
Susan Sarandon as Grandma Lynn
Michael Imperioli as Detective Len Fenerman

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Brian Eno, known for his ambient and atmospheric music. His work enhances the ethereal quality of Susie’s “In-Between” world, providing a haunting but beautiful soundscape.

Filming Locations

Filming primarily took place in Pennsylvania (USA) and New Zealand.
The suburban neighborhoods were shot in Pennsylvania to capture authenticity, while many of the surreal “In-Between” sequences were created in New Zealand with heavy CGI.
The contrast between realistic small-town America and dreamlike fantasy visuals mirrors the dual nature of the film’s story.

Awards and Nominations

Stanley Tucci received critical acclaim, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, as well as nominations at the BAFTAs and Golden Globes.
The film also received praise for its visual effects, though it was not nominated for major technical awards.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Peter Jackson originally did not want to direct, but after years of failed adaptations, he took the project on himself.
Ryan Gosling was initially cast as Jack Salmon but dropped out after disagreements; Mark Wahlberg replaced him.
Saoirse Ronan was only 13 during filming but delivered a performance that critics praised as far beyond her years.
Stanley Tucci almost turned down the role of Harvey because he found it too disturbing but accepted after encouragement from his wife.

Inspirations and References

The film is adapted directly from Alice Sebold’s novel (2002), which was partly inspired by the author’s own traumatic experiences and reflections on violence, grief, and resilience.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Some deleted scenes included extended visions in Susie’s “In-Between,” showing more surreal landscapes.
The novel features more graphic descriptions of Susie’s murder and Harvey’s crimes, which were toned down for the film to avoid an NC-17 rating.
In the book, Harvey’s death is more ambiguous, while in the movie it is given a visually symbolic ending with the falling icicle.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The book places much heavier emphasis on the family’s years-long healing process, while the film compresses this timeline.
Abigail’s absence is longer in the novel—she leaves for years, while in the film her return is quicker.
The novel gives more attention to Susie’s sexual awakening and longing for human experiences she never had, which the film only briefly touches on.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Susie walking into Harvey’s trap, a chilling moment of lost innocence.
Susie exploring the surreal landscapes of the “In-Between.”
Lindsey breaking into Harvey’s house and narrowly escaping.
Harvey’s death beneath the falling icicle, poetic in its randomness.

Iconic Quotes

Susie Salmon (narration): “My name is Salmon, like the fish. First name Susie. I was 14 years old when I was murdered.”
Jack Salmon: “You have to be vigilant. You have to be relentless.”
Susie (final words): “These were the lovely bones that had grown around my absence. The connections—sometimes tenuous, sometimes made at great cost—that happened after I was gone.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The ships-in-bottles motif reflects Jack’s fragile attempts to contain his grief and the “worlds” Susie inhabits.
In Susie’s “In-Between,” some of the objects (like swing sets, doors, and fields) symbolize childhood innocence lost too soon.
The film deliberately avoids showing Susie’s murder in detail, a choice by Jackson to keep the focus on her spirit rather than on violence.

Trivia

Alice Sebold, the author, supported the film but noted that the book’s darker elements were softened.
Peter Jackson originally wanted to adapt The Lovely Bones immediately after The Lord of the Rings, but funding and rights issues delayed production.
The film divided critics: while Ronan and Tucci received universal praise, many felt the visual effects distracted from the emotional core.

Why Watch?

Watch this film if you’re drawn to emotionally charged dramas with a supernatural twist. It’s not a traditional thriller—it’s a meditation on grief, healing, and the resilience of love after loss. Stanley Tucci’s chilling performance alone makes it worth watching, balanced by Saoirse Ronan’s luminous portrayal of Susie.

Director’s Other Movies

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
King Kong (2005)
Heavenly Creatures (1994)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

The Lovely Bones (2009)