Released in 2018, Midnight Sun is a romantic teen drama directed by Scott Speer and starring Bella Thorne and Patrick Schwarzenegger. The film tells the story of Katie Price, a 17-year-old girl with a rare genetic condition called xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), which makes exposure to sunlight potentially fatal. Her condition forces her to live a life confined indoors during the day—until she finds love under the stars. Given the unique medical condition at the heart of the film and its emotional storyline, many viewers ask:
Is Midnight Sun based on a true story?
The short answer is no, Midnight Sun is not based on a specific true story or real-life individual. However, it is a remake of a Japanese film and is inspired by a real medical condition, which adds realism and emotional depth to the fictional love story.
A Remake of a Japanese Film
Midnight Sun is actually a Hollywood adaptation of the 2006 Japanese film Taiyō no Uta (A Song to the Sun), which starred singer-actress Yui. The original film also focused on a teenage girl with XP and her desire to sing and live life despite her limitations. The American version keeps the same core premise but adapts it to a Western setting and culture.
While both films are fictional, they draw attention to a very real and rare condition that dramatically affects the lives of those who suffer from it.
The Real Disease Behind the Drama: Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP)
Although Katie Price is not a real person, the disease she lives with—xeroderma pigmentosum (XP)—is very real. XP is a rare genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to repair damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) light. Individuals with XP are extremely sensitive to sunlight, and even brief exposure can lead to severe sunburn, skin damage, or skin cancer.
XP is estimated to affect about 1 in 1 million people in the United States. There is no cure, and managing the condition involves strict avoidance of UV light, which can be socially isolating and emotionally challenging—especially for young people. In this way, Midnight Sun offers a fictionalized but emotionally resonant portrayal of life with XP.
A Love Story with Real-World Awareness
What Midnight Sun succeeds in doing is humanizing a rare medical condition through the lens of romance and personal growth. Katie’s journey of finding love and purpose despite her illness isn’t a biography, but it reflects the real struggles and hopes of those with XP and similar life-limiting conditions.
The film also raises awareness about XP, prompting curiosity and empathy from audiences unfamiliar with the disease. Many people have searched about the condition after watching the movie, showing the power of storytelling in educating as well as entertaining.
Final Verdict
So, is Midnight Sun based on a true story? No, it is not based on real-life events or a specific individual, but it is inspired by a real medical condition and adapted from a Japanese film with a similar fictional premise. With its heartfelt performances and touching message, Midnight Sun blends fiction and reality to tell a story that feels both romantic and meaningful.
