The young-adult romance film, The Last Sunrise, based on the novel by Anna Todd, was released on Prime Video in August 2026. The story follows Oriah “Ry” Pera, a young woman living with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and epilepsy, as she navigates her health, relationships, and desire for independence.
For people living with TSC and their families, seeing the condition represented in a mainstream film is significant. TSC is a rare genetic condition that can affect multiple organs, with seizures being one of the most common neurological manifestations, occurring in more than 80% of people with TSC.
The film also creates an opportunity to look beyond the storyline and consider what TSC treatment and epilepsy care can look like in real life, including the role of medication, treatment decisions, adherence, and specialized support.
About TSC, Epilepsy, and Treatment
Tuberous sclerosis complex is a lifelong condition, and its impact can vary significantly from person to person. When TSC affects the brain, seizures and epilepsy can be among the most significant challenges.
No single treatment plan works for everyone with TSC. Depending on the individual's condition and seizure type, epilepsy treatment may include anti-seizure medications, surgery, neurostimulation, dietary therapies, or other approaches. Treatment decisions are based on factors such as seizure type, response to medication, side effects, and the location of seizure activity.
For some people, medication provides effective seizure control. For others, seizures may remain difficult to control despite appropriate treatment, leading their healthcare team to consider additional options.
This individualized approach is important to keep in mind when comparing a fictional story with real-world TSC treatment.
The Differences On Screen and Off
In The Last Sunrise, Ry has spent much of her life feeling restricted by her condition and the medication she takes to manage seizures. As the story develops, she is faced with a high-stakes surgical decision that could address serious complications but carries the possibility of permanent memory loss.
Epilepsy surgery is a real treatment option for some people with TSC, particularly when seizures remain uncontrolled despite medication. However, it isn’t a universal alternative to medication, and it shouldn't be chosen without extensive evaluation.
A 2025 study from Pediatric Neurology found that 229, or 13% of 2,059 people with TSC in the National TSC Natural History Database had undergone epilepsy surgery. The study also found that most surgeries were performed in childhood and that presurgical evaluation varied.
The film's portrayal of medication is also an important distinction between fiction and medical reality. Anti-seizure medication should never be stopped suddenly without guidance from a healthcare provider.
Overall, treatment decisions are rarely as simple as choosing between medication and surgery. They are part of an ongoing conversation between patients, caregivers, and specialized healthcare teams.
Treatment Is More Than the Prescription
Living with TSC or epilepsy involves more than simply receiving a prescription. Patients and caregivers may also have to navigate insurance requirements, medication access, refills, side effects, treatment changes, and communication across multiple members of a care team.
That is where specialized support can make a difference.
As a specialty pharmacy focused on complex and rare conditions, Total Care RX approaches medication as one part of a larger treatment journey. Our pharmacists work as part of the healthcare team to help patients access their medications, navigate coverage and financial considerations, coordinate refills, and stay supported throughout therapy.
For patients managing a complex condition, consistency matters. So does having a team that understands the condition, the treatment, and the practical challenges that can affect adherence.
The Importance of Feeling Supported
Medical care is only one part of living with a chronic or rare condition. Support from family, friends, healthcare professionals, patient organizations, and disease-specific communities can also help people feel informed and connected.
The Epilepsy Foundation, for example, provides education, counseling, advocacy, and other services designed to support people with epilepsy and their families. Its mission emphasizes that no one should have to navigate an epilepsy journey alone.
The Last Sunrise may tell a fictional story, but its visibility can help start real conversations. For someone who has never heard of TSC, the film may be the first introduction to a condition that affects thousands of individuals and families. For those already living with TSC or epilepsy, seeing aspects of that experience represented can create another opportunity to talk about what people need, not only medically, but throughout the full treatment journey.
We’re committed to helping people with complex and rare conditions move from prescription to outcomes through streamlined access, alignment, and specialized support at every stage of the care journey.
Contact us for more information on specialized pharmacy care for TSC and other rare neurological conditions.
