Spoiler Alert: Proceed with Caution! 

If you’re looking for a movie that is a mix of romantic comedy with some family drama, ‘The Life List’ is a must-watch. The story follows Alex (Sofia Carson) who embarks on a journey to fulfil a life list she made at 13 in order to inherit her late mother’s estate while regaining her spark back. The plot may seem predictable and not as intriguing for some, but trust me, it will surprise you.

This movie should be seen by those of us in our 20s/30s who feel lost or unsure about the future. If you’re like me in that age group and often feel the pressure to have everything figured out by a certain age, ‘The Life List’ will reassure you that it’s okay to be a work in progress. And there’s nothing wrong with that! It beautifully captures that we don’t need to follow or compare our path to others, as everyone has a different journey. What really stood out to me is how Alex, just like many of us, lost her spark and felt unsure of her future, but through healing, time, and self-discovery, she found her spark again. The same way we can! This isn’t just a movie about a life list being checked off, it’s about reclaiming the parts that you’ve lost along the way and feeling like yourself again.

This is your sign to stop reading if you don’t want spoilers. Okay, don’t say I didn’t warn you! I have to admit that from the first scene Alex (Sofia Carson) and Brad (Kyle Allen) shared together, I was rooting for them to end up together. There’s something about the opposites attract dynamic between them that you could feel through the screen. Don’t get me wrong, Garrett (Sebastian de Souza) had his own charm, but Brad? He is the one. The way Alex is the black cat of the relationship: introverted, independent, and a bit mysterious just matches perfectly with Brad, the outgoing and friendly golden retriever. They just balance each other so well, with Brad’s affection and optimism bringing out Alex’s best qualities and being there for her. It makes you believe that true love can be found in the most unexpected places and at the most unexpected times.

While the movie focuses on Alex’s journey I loved that it included her relationship with her brothers. Although at times their connection was at times awkward or weird their support for one another adds to how much they are there for each other through thick and thin. I found myself wishing I had brothers! There are two scene that I though were absolutely spot on siblings but I will just talk about one. The camping / attic scene which I found to be so touching and heartwarming as it was just them three like old times. I felt it was a beautiful remainder that family or specifically in this case siblings are  always there when you need it the most. 

What stood out to me from the movie and characters was the honest portrayal of grief. I mean Alex is open about her pain in terms of expressing her struggles, but her brothers handle it very differently as they choose to grieve alone or with their own families. This was predominant when her brothers were asking about their mum’s tapes and wishing to see their mum again. This was a reminder that everyone processes loss in their own way, and while we might deal with our own grief, we should remember that others can do so differently as well. Through the emphasis on grief, I feel that it makes the story more touching and even relatable.

Now let me tell you the one thing I wish was different. ‘The Life List’ would have made a wonderful TV series. Hear me out. Can you imagine each task from Alex’s list being an episode on its own? While it might be too much for some, I feel there’s so much to explore from Alex’s journey to her brother’s grief and life, and maybe even more on Brad’s story or seeing more of some of her students. I just feel like it could have worked, but hey, that’s just my opinion.

I know I usually don’t focus on specific scenes, but I feel like I need to share a few of the scenes that had an impact on me. Don’t worry, I won’t discuss many just a few. Promise!

One of the most powerful scenes that had an impact on me was when Alex’s mum, Elizabeth, hugs her after revealing that she doesn’t have long to live and that there is nothing that can be done. The high-angle shot that transitions from their embrace to Alex lying alone in her mum’s bed sends chills down my spine. It’s so powerful, and Sofia Carson’s acting is heart-wrenching as she captures Alex’s grief in a way that you can’t help but feel her pain.

While this scene gives you pain in the final video from Alex’s mother, it gives us hope and understanding. In a medium close-up, we see Elizabeth being surprised by Alex on the recording without Alex knowing it is actually for her and hugging her mum. The tenderness of this scene is both devastating and beautiful and it’s a powerful reminder that a bond between a mother and child in this case daughter transcends time and even death. 

One last scene, I promise! The scene where Alex asks her sister-in-law Zoe (Marianne Rendon) for advice and she tells her about the true love test Alex’s mum told her about, where you have to ask yourself four questions, and if all are yes, then you have found the one. Let me just write the four questions and explain why it had an impact:

1.Can you tell him everything in your heart?

2.Is he kind?

3.Does he help you become the best version of yourself?

4.Can you imagine him as the father of your children?

In a world that often prioritises appearances and status, these simple yet profound questions will make you pause and reflect. While I’m not here to tell anyone how to find their true love, I honestly believe these four questions are spot on. Of course, there could be more, but these questions are a good starting point. 

I feel like ‘The Life List’ isn’t just another rom-com to watch it’s a heartfelt exploration of love, grief, and self-discovery, which makes one that you don’t want to miss. Although it hasn’t been made into a series, it is a story that just resonates with you and makes you question if you are happy long after the credits roll. So for everyone who has ever lost their spark, this movie is your sign that your spark is within you just give it time, heal, and do the things that made you happy. Trust me!