After getting her start in Descendants, Sofia Carson has gone from a Disney star to a Netflix regular. Ever since Feel the Beat was released in 2020, the actress has continued to further her ties with the streaming service, leading other productions like Purple Hearts and the holiday thriller, Carry-On. Her latest entry to the canon is The Life List, a touching adaptation of Lori Nelson Spielman‘s novel of the same name. In it, she plays Alex, a woman who is seemingly stuck in life and receives a wake-up call from her mother beyond the grave to pursue her dreams.
This endearing premise, with a mother continuing to check in on her daughter posthumously, is the main draw for Carson’s latest collaboration with Netflix. Yet, the film also doesn’t shy away from threading into romance territory. A love triangle is interwoven with Alex’s journey to accomplish all the items on her bucket list, adding a dose of messiness to her path to self-discovery. Balancing romance and grief, The Life List proves to be the type of feel-good fluff you’d expect it to be. Still, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t tag along.
What Is ‘The Life List’ About?
The film starts with Alex getting ready to attend her sister-in-law’s baby shower. She knows that from the moment she walks in, she’ll be bombarded with questions about why she stopped teaching or what her boyfriend does for a living, all of which she isn’t keen on responding to. The truth is, she has no drive to make plans or pursue personal goals anymore. Alex has settled down, not because she has everything she’s always wanted, but because she is indifferent about the choices she’s been making. That is until her mother, Elizabeth (played by Connie Britton), passes away and leaves behind an unusual request in order for her daughter to get her cut of the inheritance. Elizabeth made a series of recordings of herself before she died, prompting Alex to revisit a life list she wrote at 13, and watch a DVD every time she is able to cross out an item from said list.
Although the protagonist initially thinks that this might be a ridiculous idea, considering that she wrote it years ago, Alex reluctantly gives in to her mother’s dying wish. From trying stand-up comedy to reading Moby Dick cover to cover without falling asleep, the main character takes this challenge seriously and looks forward to every goal she’s able to accomplish to get another chance to see her mother (even if it is via DVD). Helping her on this journey is Brad (Kyle Allen), the lawyer Elizabeth worked with in the last draft of her will. Although the two initially but heads, they grow closer as Alex strives to tick off every item on the list. Soon enough, she’s almost done. The only task remaining is to fall in love.
Connie Britton and Sofia Carson Are a Lovable Mother-Daughter Duo
Although The Life List has its flaws, Carson and Britton make for the film’s best onscreen partnership, although most of the time, they are not on screen together. Except for the beginning, where the audience catches a glimpse of how they interacted before Elizabeth’s death, Alex often sees her mother through DVD recordings. To Britton’s credit, she is able to create a connection with both the viewer and Carson’s character by being tender and understanding, even in the slight instances that her face pops up on the TV. Similarly to her portrayal of Tami in Friday Night Lights, her role in this Netflix original requires that her presence be larger than life, and that her care for Alex is genuine and relatable, something she does effortlessly.
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Carson is also charming as Alex. The character’s newfound urge to take risks and follow her heart is what drives the film, and there is something about her sense of humor and down-to-earth personality that makes for a lovable lead. Although the actress doesn’t step away from what she’s been able to do in the past on other projects she’s been a part of, that doesn’t prevent her from being a charismatic performer in The Life List. You can’t help but feel for Alex as she tries to mend her broken relationship with her father, or tries to find her true love. The inheritance is the least of her concerns, but rather her decision to listen to her mother’s advice and not take life for granted.
‘The Life List’s Romance Arc Is Cliché and Unconvincing
Yet, the film’s main fault is its underdeveloped subplots. Adam Brooks is responsible for adapting and helming this Netflix original, and he delivers some emotive instances between Alex and her family. Yet, when it comes to her romantic relationships, as well as her return to the classroom, audiences are more likely than not to be left dissatisfied. Although on the page it is easy to see why Carson’s character would be attracted to the wealthy and handsome Garrett (Sebastian De Souza), or why she would form a platonic bond with Brad, the lack of chemistry between Carson and her male counterparts keeps viewers from not caring about the clichés surrounding the love triangle. The film also doesn’t put a lot of thought into Alex and Ezra’s (Luca Padovan) link. When she goes back to teaching, Ezra makes her job difficult with his rebellious attitude in class. Yet, their student-teacher relationship is never given proper attention.
Even though the romantic elements aren’t as rewarding as the familial ties at the heart of The Life List, the project still has its merits. From Carson’s captivating depiction of Alex to Britton’s warm and motherly presence, there are parts of this film that will be enjoyable for a viewer looking for something sweet and emotional to tune into for an hour and a half. There will be moments where you’ll want to roll your eyes at the plot’s predictability, but there will also be instances in which you are likely to well up. As Alex comes to value her life instead of choosing comfort, the film delivers a hopeful message that will lead you to wonder what dreams you’ve been leaving on the back burner and what is stopping you from making them come true.
The Life List comes to Netflix on March 28.
The Life List
Sofia Carson makes her wishes come true in this emotional yet uneven Netflix original.
- Release Date
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March 28, 2025
- Director
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Adam Brooks
Pros & Cons
- Sofia Carson and Connie Britton are convincing mother-daughter duo.
- Britton’s performance, even if mediated through DVDs, connects with audiences on a personal level.
- Carson plays a lovable lead, even though the actress isn’t accomplishing anything that she hasn’t done before.
- The romantic arc doesn’t translate effectively from page to screen given the lack of chemistry between Carson and her male counterparts.
- There isn’t as much of a deep dive into Alex’s return to classroom and her relationship with a problematic student.
- The plot’s clichés and predictability prevent the film from having a lasting impression.
