
Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
Midnight Sun
By Michael Ordona,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Tear-jerking romance is mild except for teen partying.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Midnight Sun
Community Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
this movie was really good
Report this review
Good .
Report this review
What's the Story?
MIDNIGHT SUN is a romantic drama based on the 2006 Japanese film Song to the Sun (Taiyō no Uta). Katie (Bella Thorne) is a gorgeous, talented, smart teenager who has a perfect relationship with her protective dad, Jack (Rob Riggle), and loves hanging out with her ultra-loyal best friend, Morgan (Quinn Shephard), in the well-to-do Seattle suburb they call home. Just one thing prevents Katie from meeting her unknowing crush, Charlie (Patrick Schwarzenegger): She has a rare condition that makes even a few moments of sun exposure likely fatal. But they meet anyway because of her musical talent and start up a star-crossed romance in the summer after they both graduate high school (or the home-schooled equivalent). Will Charlie, who's recovering from shoulder surgery, regain the swimming form that once promised him a full ride at UC Berkeley, possibly taking him away from homebound Katie? And will Katie tell Charlie about her condition?
Is It Any Good?
The virtues of this star-crossed teen romance can't quite overcome its contrivances. Like 2017's charming Everything, Everything, to which it bears a striking (and uncomfortable?) resemblance, Midnight Sun struggles with the increasingly tricky challenge of how to craft a big enough obstacle to keep two would-be lovers apart in today's age of instant global communication. Both films use ultra-rare but dramatically convenient medical conditions to isolate their main characters in their nice homes in their fancy suburbs and keep them from living full lives with their perfect, evolved, dreamboat crushes. Midnight hopes to coast on Thorne and Shephard's charms and the shiny dreaminess of love interest Charlie, with a boost from Katie's songs.
But its wall isn't built high enough. Why must Katie be a hermit? Why can't she share her secret with Charlie until it becomes a safety issue? Does Charlie have any flaws, or is his terrible secret that he's perfect? The story takes place in a fantasy world in which teens drink at parties with no consequences, even when they jump behind the wheel of a truck right afterward. Charlie has ins everywhere, it seems, including nightclubs, recording studios, and train stations, despite his obsessive devotion to swimming. And perhaps least understandably, these two attractive teens make out all over the place but apparently never go past first base (despite the fatalism that informs the film's second half). This lack of mooring in reality sets the drama adrift and makes it difficult to invest in the characters' plight. But it will certainly appeal to romantic teens, and there's one standout performance: Riggle, in a rare extended dramatic appearance. He ekes out a few chuckles as Katie's devoted dad, but, more importantly, he provides ballast and emotional realism. More of that grounding might have benefited Midnight Sun.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Midnight Sun depicts teen drinking. Was it portrayed responsibly? Were there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
How realistic does the movie feel? Does everyone behave believably? Does that even matter, or do you put that all aside when watching a romantic drama?
What did you think of Katie's decision not to tell her boyfriend about her condition?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 23, 2018
- On DVD or streaming: June 19, 2018
- Cast: Bella Thorne , Patrick Schwarzenegger , Rob Riggle
- Director: Scott Speer
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Pansexual actors, Latino actors
- Studio: Open Road Films
- Genre: Romance
- Run time: 91 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: some teen partying and sensuality
- Last updated: September 15, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate