Statement, Netflix’s ‘The After Party’ by Philip Gattone, CEO, Epilepsy Foundation

Members of our community have expressed concerns about the inappropriate and negative portrayal of people with epilepsy and seizures in the new Netflix film, “The After Party.” The main character is nicknamed “Seizure Boy” and everyone makes fun of him because he has a seizure. The film inaccurately portrays seizures and people who experience seizures. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder and people with epilepsy may experience hundreds of seizures a day.

Making fun of someone having a seizure is bullying at its worst. When such responses are portrayed as acceptable behavior – even in movies – it is demeaning and hurtful to our epilepsy community and all of us. In fact, such treatment can put real people who have seizures at increased risk of injury and death. If someone is ridiculed for a medical problem, such as seizures, they are more likely to hide their illness and less likely to seek medical care or the help of others.

While we welcome opportunities to portray real stories of people with epilepsy in movies and in the media, it is a serious affront to our community when so-called entertainment mocks or jokes about having epilepsy or seizures.

For decades, and in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 17 years, the Epilepsy Foundation has developed and activated nationwide programs to promote public education about epilepsy, seizure recognition and how to administer Seizure First Aid.

Unfortunately, the film does not educate people about seizures or provide information on what to do if someone sees a person having a seizure. The way seizures are portrayed in the film only adds to the ignorance, misunderstanding and fear that exist about seizures. This Netflix film harkens back into the Dark Ages.

We have reached out to Netflix and hope to work with them to ensure that seizures are accurately depicted in future projects and that Netflix includes an education component about seizure recognition and Seizure First Aid.

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