Logo What's After the Movie

Midnight Sun 2018

Katie Price, a 17-year-old, lives a secluded life due to a rare condition that makes daylight dangerous. As night falls, she ventures out, playing guitar and pursuing her dreams. Her world changes when she meets Charlie, and a secret romance begins. However, their budding relationship forces Katie to face a heartbreaking decision: to embrace the joy of love, or to protect herself and risk losing everything.

Katie Price, a 17-year-old, lives a secluded life due to a rare condition that makes daylight dangerous. As night falls, she ventures out, playing guitar and pursuing her dreams. Her world changes when she meets Charlie, and a secret romance begins. However, their budding relationship forces Katie to face a heartbreaking decision: to embrace the joy of love, or to protect herself and risk losing everything.

Does Midnight Sun have end credit scenes?

Yes!

Midnight Sun does have end credit scenes. Stay until the very end!

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Midnight Sun

Explore the complete cast of Midnight Sun, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Midnight Sun

See how Midnight Sun is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Midnight Sun stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Echo Score

The Movie Echo Score

55

Overall, Midnight Sun delivers a mixed reception with modest emotional impact counterbalanced by predictable plotting and uneven execution. While its earnest romance and engaging leads resonate with some viewers, the limp direction and contrived narrative twists limit its broader appeal. Critics highlight tonal inconsistencies and occasional stilted performances, even as users praise its tear-jerking moments and visual warmth. The film’s strengths in heartfelt sentiment are offset by narrative clichés and technical misfires. Ultimately, Midnight Sun remains intermittently engaging but seldom transcends its formulaic roots.

The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Midnight Sun

50
Echo Score

Art & Craft

In terms of art and craft, Midnight Sun presents uneven technical execution that often undermines its visual ambitions. Direction is frequently described as limp and overly earnest, with pacing that vacillates between broad humor and treacle. Cinematography captures romantic settings but lacks distinctive visual cohesion, and editing misfires occasionally disrupt tonal flow. Overall, its craft foundation feels serviceable yet inconsistent.

60
Echo Score

Character & Emotion

When it comes to character and emotion, the film finds occasional depth through its earnest leads yet suffers from uneven performances. Bella Thorne’s portrayal conveys genuine tenderness, while secondary roles sometimes overshadow a weaker central turn. Chemistry flares in heartfelt moments but variable acting quality and superficial development limit emotional resonance. As a result, character engagement remains intermittent and uneven.

45
Echo Score

Story & Flow

In terms of story and flow, Midnight Sun follows a predictable romance that blends sincere emotion with familiar beats. Critics note its straightforward narrative and jarring tonal shifts between humor and sentiment, while viewers mention plot holes and a lack of originality. Although the core premise engages briefly, the film’s conventional structure reduces its overall narrative impact.

55
Echo Score

Sensory Experience

When it comes to sensory experience, the soundtrack and visual style offer occasional warmth but lack cohesion. Some viewers praise the music’s emotive quality, while others point out misaligned songs and uneven sound design. Visually, romantic settings are appealing yet underscored by conventional lighting, leading to a muted and inconsistent sensory impression.

60
Echo Score

Rewatch Factor

In terms of rewatch factor, this film elicits divided responses regarding lasting appeal. Enthusiastic viewers appreciate its emotional beats and anticipate repeated viewings, while many critics note that predictable plotting and tonal unevenness diminish long-term engagement. The romantic visuals provide brief allure, but structural clichés and occasional misfires limit its replay value over time.

Metacritic

38

Metascore

5.7

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

21%

TOMATOMETER

review

57%

User Score

IMDb

6.6 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

78

%

User Score

Letterboxd

2.5

From 636 fan ratings

Movie Insider

3.82/5

From 28 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate Midnight Sun Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Midnight Sun with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Midnight Sun Quiz: Test your knowledge about the heartfelt romance and challenges faced by Katie and Charlie in 'Midnight Sun'.

What rare condition does Katie suffer from?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Midnight Sun

See more

Read the complete plot summary of Midnight Sun, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


The story unfolds around a young girl named Katie Price, who navigates life in a quaint house with her father in Washington State. Unfortunately, Katie suffers from Xeroderma Pigmentosum, a rare condition that requires her to avoid sunlight to protect her delicate skin. Local children, unaware of her condition, mockingly label her a vampire due to her reclusive nature. Adding to the narrative is a boy named Charlie who skates by, catching Katie’s admiration—a crush she harbors in silence.

As the plot develops, one of the local kids knocks on Katie’s door, but her father, Rob Riggle, denies her access to outdoor playtime, explaining that it’s daytime. This leads to the introduction of Morgan, a determined girl who insists on seeing Katie and eventually becomes her closest friend.

Fast forward to present day, and we find Katie, now a teenager portrayed by Bella Thorne, graduating from high school after being homeschooled. Her father gifts her a guitar that belonged to her late mother, a heartfelt token from her past. As the sun sets, Katie begs her father to let her venture to the local train station to play her guitar, where, under the cover of darkness, she shines just like any other young person her age.

It’s at the train station that Charlie, played by Patrick Schwarzenegger, first hears her beautiful voice and is captivated. In a flurry of nerves, Katie hastily packs her belongings and flees, neglecting to take her journal with her. The next night, Morgan arranges for Katie to collect her journal from the station, but instead, she finds a charming surprise as Charlie himself returns it, igniting their blossoming relationship.

Days pass, and Katie invites Charlie to a party at Morgan’s workplace. However, the initial gathering is disappointingly dull, prompting Charlie to whisk them away to an exciting party. Amidst youthful revelry and flirtation, it’s clear that Charlie’s heart belongs to Katie as they share their first dance, leading to a sweet first kiss on a boat—an ephemeral moment that marks the start of their special connection.

With Katie still keeping her condition a secret, she tells Charlie, “I’m busy during the days, but can come out at night,” and their romance flourishes under the stars. Charlie takes Katie on amazing adventures, including a surprise train ride to Seattle, where they witness a concert and enjoy each other’s company under the enchanting night sky. During a beach excursion, Charlie proclaims, >“Get ready for the most beautiful sunrise.” However, Katie’s joy is shadowed by the reality of her condition as she frantically realizes the sun is about to rise.

In a frantic scramble, she manages to escape the sun’s rays but not without consequence. As the story progresses, Katie faces the harsh truth of her health, receiving advice from her doctor that her exposure to sunlight is causing significant danger to her well-being. She distances herself from Charlie at a critical moment, who is concurrently focused on his swim meet aimed at securing a college scholarship. However, motivated by Katie’s encouragement to persevere, he dives deeply into both his sport and their relationship.

While Katie’s father welcomes Charlie into their home for a heartfelt reconciliation, Katie reveals her vulnerability, recounting how she’s loved him from her window for years. As Charlie fosters Katie’s musical dreams by arranging a recording session where she performs “Charlie’s Song,” her health begins to decline dramatically. Determined to embrace her final wish, she asks her father to allow her to sail with Charlie despite the glaring sunlight.

In a bittersweet moment, they create lasting memories sailing through flashbacks of their romance. Eventually, the story concludes with a poignant scene where Charlie, Morgan, and Katie’s father scatter Katie’s ashes in the very waters where she shared moments with her mother.

The narrative encapsulates Charlie’s future as he embarks on his college journey at Berkeley, only to hear the echoes of “Charlie’s Song”—a tribute to their enduring connection that has captured millions online. The heartfelt conclusion wraps up with Charlie reflecting on Katie’s final words of love and gratitude from her journal, showcasing the profound impact she had on his life.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Midnight Sun

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Midnight Sun. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Midnight Sun | Official Trailer | In Theaters March 23

Midnight Sun | Trailer 2 | Global Road Entertainment

Cars Featured in Midnight Sun

See 7 more

Explore all cars featured in Midnight Sun, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Chevrolet

2009

Aveo5

Chevrolet

2006

Impala

Ford

1976

F-Series

Ford

1999

Windstar

Mercedes-Benz

2000

E-Klasse W210

Mercedes-Benz

2013

SL R231

Volkswagen

1973

Deluxe Typ 1

Midnight Sun Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


father daughter relationshipboyfriend girlfriend relationshipseattle washingtonxeroderma pigmentosum18 year oldchildhood flashbackrare diseasereference to the seattle supersonicskissing in a carremake of japanese filmbest frienddead motherrock concertfemale singerfemale guitaristfemale musiciansinger songwriterrecording studionotebooknight swimmingfemale doctorsailboatteenage boyonline datingchinese takeouttrain ridereference to the seattle seahawksreference to the seattle marinersphotographerchildhood memorywristwatchacoustic guitarice cream parlorhome schoolinghigh school graduationswimmingpartybeer kegash scatteringscattering ashesdeath of protagonistdeath of girlfrienddeath of daughterdeath of best friendguitaristsingermusiciansunlightfear of sunlightkilled by sunlight

Midnight Sun Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for Midnight Sun across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


미드나잇 선 Amor a Medianoche Amar-te à Meia-Noite ミッドナイト・サン タイヨウのうた Sol da Meia-noite Amor a medianoche Полночное солнце נשיקה בחצות Ο Ήλιος του Μεσονυχτίου Опівнічне сонце Éjjeli napfény Слънце в полунощ Midnight Sun - Alles für dich Il sole a mezzanotte - Midnight sun W blasku nocy Půlnoční láska 真愛趁現在 午夜阳光 Soleil de minuit Amor de Medianoche Sol da Meia-Noite Ponoćno sunce Vidurnakčio saulė Polnočno sonce 日出前讓戀愛開始 Pusnakts saule Polnočná láska Sub soarele nopții หลบตะวัน ฉันรักเธอ ミッドナイト・サン 〜タイヨウのうた〜 Mặt Trời Giữa Đêm შუაღამის მზე

Similar Movies To Midnight Sun You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.