The Life List’s Surprisingly Emotional Ending, Explained

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Occasionally, the right motivation can come from a bit of firm guidance. This could be why Adam Brooks’ “The Life List” is striking a chord with numerous audiences. The fresh romantic comedy revolves around Alex, charmingly portrayed by Sofia Carson (famous for other Netflix successes like “Carry-On” and “Purple Hearts”), who receives a posthumous challenge from her late mother to accomplish a bucket list she penned when she was 13.

Thus far, viewers have found themselves motivated by the themes in The Life List, which emphasize not giving up on your aspirations and pursuing your dreams. The manner in which The Life List conveys these ideas can sometimes seem gradual, but it ultimately builds to a powerful, thought-provoking conclusion.

What Happens in ‘The Life List’?

At age twenty-something, Alex resides in New York City. After abandoning her aspirations of becoming a teacher, she considers her life to be perfectly fine: she is on the verge of cohabiting with her boyfriend, Finn; she holds a comfortable job, and she lives near her siblings and mother, whom she adores. However, upon revisiting home for her sister-in-law’s baby shower, her mom expresses concern that Alex has grown complacent and accepted an easy life rather than pursuing greater opportunities. To add to the distressing news, it is revealed that Connie Britton’s cancer has returned and is now terminal.

A few months following their mother’s funeral, Alex and her siblings unite for the reading of her will. To their astonishment, a young, attractive colleague named Brad (Kyle Allen) is in charge of the accounts. The shock deepens when Brad discloses that contrary to their expectations, Alex would not be inheriting her mother’s company; instead, she had been let go from her job.

In private conversations, Brad shares with Alex a unique predicament: her mother has set a condition for her inheritance – Alex must accomplish every task on a list she made at age 13. Furthermore, for each completed task, Brad will present her with a DVD containing a personal message from her mom. Her mother believed this list, including goals like “Find True Love” and “Become a Great Teacher,” would serve as a guide for Alex to rediscover herself more genuinely. She encourages Alex to extricate herself from the current predicament, assuring her that even though she won’t physically be there, she can provide the tools for self-rescue.

Love on a Timetable?

At first hesitant about it, Alex eventually embraces the concept wholeheartedly and discovers it broadening her perspectives. She breaks up with Finn (Michael Rowland), as he didn’t pass her mother’s “four questions test” for finding a soulmate (1. Is he kind? 2. Can I share all my deepest feelings with him? 3. Does he help me grow and be my best self? 4. Can you envision him as the father of your children?). Temporarily moving back into her childhood home, Alex checks off each item on the list while forming a strong bond with Brad. She secures a teaching position at a women’s shelter, learns to drive, dives into reading Moby Dick, and experiences being in a mosh pit. She even meets an attractive and sophisticated man, Garrett (Sebastian de Souza). Gradually but steadily, Alex transforms into a self-assured and vibrant new version of herself.

During their road trip to reconnect with his estranged father, Alex and Brad’s relationship takes an unexpected turn when they end up spending a night together. Admittedly, Brad – who had been in a previous relationship – reveals that he ended things with his girlfriend and expresses his genuine feelings for Alex. However, this revelation leaves Alex perplexed about her ability to fulfill the “Find True Love” item on her list, causing her to distance herself from Brad. Eventually, she realizes that Garrett is not the one for her and decides to end their relationship.

How Does ‘The Life List’ end?

In a turn of events, Alex discovered that she didn’t need to prove true love to claim her inheritance, contrary to what she initially believed, because her mother didn’t believe in setting timelines for finding love. This revelation came from another lawyer (not the now-disgruntled Brad). With this newfound knowledge, Alex received the final DVD message and her inheritance – the house. As the sibling who cherished keeping the family home, Alex was ecstatically happy with this outcome.

I sat down to watch my mother’s last video production, and as anticipated, it was deeply emotional. She shared with me, “Life can be beautiful and chaotic, often not resembling what we envision. Embrace that, keep pushing forward, and always be courageous.” In the video, I make an appearance, and she jokes about my ongoing project. Then, she confides in me, “True love might have eluded me, but let me tell you this: Love is worth standing up for. Got it?

“Now Everything Is Easy ‘Cause of You”

In a swift moment, it hits Alex – Brad answers affirmatively to each of her mother’s four soulmate questions. Excitedly, she dashes off to Brad’s residence, following the familiar tropes of romantic comedies. With determination, she chooses to pursue love and declares her heartfelt feelings for Brad. To her delight, he returns his affection, and they embark on a life filled with joy ever after. The climax of The Life List unfolds at a housewarming gathering in Alex’s new abode. Surrounded by friends, family, and her beloved Brad, she beams with contentment. As her brother toasts the past year, Alex gazes upon the photograph of her mother on the mantelpiece. The strains of “Our House” fill the air as Alex stands there, a mix of satisfaction and emotion etched across her face, knowing that if not for her mother’s encouragement, she would have missed out on this realm of happiness.

It’s truly challenging not to get emotional during these last scenes. Many of us grapple with a certain unhappiness in our lives, yet find ourselves unable to take the steps needed for change. This could be due to fear, responsibilities, or contentment, and it’s this very situation that makes the ending of “The Life List” so poignant.

In the movie, it’s not just the well-developed plot twists that make an impact, but that poignant moment when Alex gazes at her mother’s picture. This moment reveals that she had the strength to embark on the journey her mother envisioned for her, and she is incredibly thankful for having done so. As the song “Our House” beautifully expresses, “Everything is easy because of you.” Although fulfilling a childhood wish-list may not magically solve all our real-world issues, it encourages us to reconnect with our inner child and consider what truly matters in life before time runs out. If The Life List is any guide, achieving happiness might be simpler than we imagine.

The Life List is now streaming on Netflix.

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2025-04-03 03:02