In the realm of cinematic storytelling, "Lucca's World," a Mexican movie released on Netflix, has captured attention and sparked debate. The film, based on the memoir of Bárbara Anderson, narrates the poignant and hopeful journey of a mother seeking treatment for her son Lucca, who suffers from severe cerebral palsy. At the heart of this narrative is the Cytotron, a controversial device purported to restore functions lost to the debilitating condition through directed radio waves. As the movie climbs to become the No. 1 non-English-language film on Netflix, it has also drawn criticism for its portrayal of disability and its alignment with the concept of "inspiration porn."
The story revolves around Bárbara Anderson's desperate quest to help her son, leading her to the Cytotron, marketed by Neurocytonix. The device has been subject to clinical trials, yet the results remain unpublished. Despite this, the movie dramatizes their journey with a focus on hope and resilience. Anderson herself has clarified that she neither recommends nor promotes the treatment, emphasizing that her memoir merely recounts their experience.
“I never recommend … nor promote [the treatment]. I only describe the journey of taking an experimental treatment that, in the case of my son, worked.” – Bárbara Anderson
The Cytotron, a costly intervention at $50,000 per treatment, faces skepticism in the medical community. The Mexican Society of Pediatric Neurology has issued a cautionary statement, highlighting the absence of clinical trials that substantiate its efficacy. Moreover, Neurocytonix has faced scrutiny as their clinical trial concluded in 2021 without releasing findings, and a subsequent study was discontinued due to lack of progress.
While Bárbara Anderson's declaration that "The Cytotron will mark a before and after in the history of medicine" encapsulates her hopes, the reality remains contested. Neurocytonix has distanced itself from the film, stating that another phase of clinical trials was completed last year. However, the device is not available through mainstream medical providers in the US or Europe, nor is it covered by the NHS.
“The Cytotron will mark a before and after in the history of medicine,” – Bárbara Anderson
The film’s portrayal has also raised ethical questions about its depiction of disabled lives as feelgood narratives that simplify complex realities. Critics argue that such portrayals can reduce the nuanced experiences of individuals with disabilities to mere inspirational fodder for able-bodied audiences. Anderson’s personal commitment to her son’s improvement resonates throughout the narrative.
“I promise I won’t rest until you get better.” – Bárbara Anderson
Despite its emotional resonance and cinematic appeal, "Lucca's World" ends with a disclaimer acknowledging that certain scenes were altered for dramatic effect. This admission underscores the delicate balance between storytelling and factual representation in media portrayals of medical treatments.