Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Emotional book-based drama with sex, drugs, and language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Life List
What's the Story?
When Alex's (Sofía Carson) beloved mom, Elizabeth (Connie Britton), dies, she finds she's been left with instructions from her mother to fulfill a list of childhood life goals in order to earn her inheritance in THE LIFE LIST. Each time Alex achieves a goal, lawyer Brad (Kyle Allen) gives her a DVD with a video recorded by her mom. The list is meant to dig Alex out of an existential hole she has fallen into, in a dead-end relationship and an unsatisfying career, not yet living the contented adult life of her brothers, Lucas (Dario Ladani Sanchez) and Julian (Federico Rodriguez), and still holding on to resentment over her unfulfilling relationship with her father, Samuel (José Zúñiga).
Is It Any Good?
There are moments in this film that can feel overly manipulative, but if you let yourself get swept up in the characters, you might find this a meaningful and rewarding journey. The Life List astutely shifts its focus early on from the dying mom (an excellent Britton) to the vivacious daughter learning how to make the most of her, let's face it, pretty privileged circumstances. The film's success rests heavily on Carson's authenticity and appeal, and she's backed up by a likable supporting cast, mostly realistic dialogues and scenarios, and a satisfying narrative arc.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the idea of fulfilling a list of childhood goals, like Alex is tasked with doing in The Life List. What were your dreams or goals as a child, and how would you feel about trying to achieve them now?
If you've read the book, how does this film adaptation compare? What other films have you seen that are adapted from books? What can books do better than movies, and vice versa, in your opinion?
What are your favorite family dramas? How does this one compare?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 28, 2025
- Cast : Sofia Carson , Connie Britton , Kyle Allen
- Director : Adam Brooks
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Run time : 123 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexual material, drug content and strong language
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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