Following the tragic loss of her mother, Alex embarks on a mission to fulfill a compilation of childhood dreams that she had long forgotten about. As she attempts to check off each item on her bucket list, she realizes that the pursuit of these long-held aspirations leads her down a path of unexpected twists and turns that ultimately lead her to a profound journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

The plot of completing a list upon the death of a loved one is presented in an interesting way here. I liked that instead of having a checklist of legal necessities, the last wish was for rediscovering and pursuing Alex’s forgotten dreams. I find inspiration in movies that remind audiences that it is never too late to pursue their passions and carve out a new path in life.

The narrative follows a familiar trope for rom coms, but includes themes of parent/sibling relationships that I found intriguing. I had hoped for a slightly different ending that was less predictable and more centered around loving oneself above all else, but it didn’t persuade my review.

The Life List is adapted from the book written by Lori Nelson Spielman, and scores a 4.07 rating on Goodreads. It is rated 44% on Rotten Tomatoes, 7/10 on IMDb, and is currently number 1 out of 10 top movies on Netflix with 24,400,000 views to date. I haven’t heard too much about this movie outside of the Netflix platform, but feel it is definitely worth the watch.

The Good

The film delved a lot into introspection in life. From taking a deeper look at your life to see if you’ve been living or just surviving to the sibling bonding that allowed a deeper understanding of each individual’s connections with their parents. Elizabeth’s 4 True Love Questions in the movie caught my attention. I believe these questions offer valuable perspectives on handling relationships outside of the movie. The film elegantly portrays the theme of rediscovery and reclaiming happiness, even in times of uncertainty. It’s a great choice for those looking for validation in exploring new paths, regardless of their current life stage.

“Is he kind? Can I tell him everything in my heart? Does he help me become the best version of myself? Can I imagine him as the father of my children?” – Elizabeth (The Life List)

The Bad

Throughout the movie, there are moments that come across as arrogant. Alex often says things like, “Money is not everything” or “I don’t care about money.” Despite intending to depict a good quality of character (like in the broken chair incident), it comes off as overly smug. Additionally, I found the love triangle between Alex, Brad, and Garrett unappealing. Alex appeared to lack regret for her role in altering the dynamics of their relationships.

I definitely clicked the double thumbs up “love it” on Netflix after finishing this film. It was one of those movies that leaves you with a warm feeling and makes you reflect on your own experiences. The storyline was engaging, with relatable characters and themes that resonated on a deeper level. I would recommend this movie, especially to fans of romantic comedies who enjoy a light-hearted yet meaningful story. Additionally, it’s perfect for individuals of a certain age who might have experienced a shift in their life direction, whether through a career change, a relationship shift, or any of those moments where you feel a little lost in the midst of figuring out who you are next.