The Life List is the newest romantic comedy to hit Netflix. Romantic comedies are usually associated with feel-good emotions and stories that couples can enjoy together on date nights. If these are the expected occurrences following the release of a romantic comedy, then The Life List completely goes against expectations and, for lack of a better term, flips the script.
According to a recent interview in Entertainment Weekly, star Sofia Carson stated that test audiences for the rom-com weren’t reaching for a box of tissues to dry their eyes but seeking a break-up with their boyfriends. Rom-coms tend to be divisive among critics but are usually thoroughly enjoyed by their target audiences. The Life List proves that any film can stir powerful emotions in an audience, as the number of couples who have split after viewing the film can certainly attest to.
So, What Is ‘The Life List’ About?
The Life List is based on the novel of the same name by Lori Nelson Spielman and tells the story of Alex (Sofia Carson), a young woman currently employed by her mother Elizabeth’s (Connie Britton) cosmetic company. Alex has no plans for a domesticated situation and lives with her boyfriend, Finn (Michael Rowland), in a loft apartment. The life that Alex leads, which by all accounts would be considered by many to be stable, is suddenly torn asunder when her mother passes from cancer and leaves her some instructions by way of a DVD she’s left behind.
In order to receive the inheritance that her mother had left for her, Alex must complete what’s called “The Life List,” a series of goals that Alex wished to achieve in adulthood that she formulated for herself at the age of 13. The goals, which seem to more or less be in line with a young teenager, include reading Moby Dick, entering a mosh pit, doing stand-up comedy, and perhaps the most predictable of all, finding true love, which, of course, becomes elusive and a predictable plot device.
A film like The Life List is certainly going to be divisive regarding critical response and audience acclaim. While some have found the film to be endearing and warm, with a message about living a fulfilling life in the wake of loss, others see it differently. To others, The Life List is a film full of shallowness and thrives on overly recycled tropes and motifs. Opinions will certainly vary on a film such as The Life List, and its appeal centers on the type of emotions you want a film to elicit from you.
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Not Quite the Reaction They Were Expecting
A film like The Life List will certainly elicit a wide range of reactions from critics and audience members. However, as Sofia Carson explained in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, some of the responses to The Life List were certainly surprising, to say the least. “Adam (director Adam Brooks) would call me all the time after test screenings, and he would say that there were so many people that would [tell him], ‘I ended up breaking up with my boyfriend,’ or ‘I ended up changing or quitting my job.’“
Carson attributes some of the strong reactions from audience members to the “existential questions” that are brought up in The Life List. “That’s the beauty of this film,” Carson explained to Entertainment Weekly, “It’s much more than just a rom-com.” While the reactions from the audience have certainly come as a surprise to some, the impact they’ve had on Carson has been quite significant, who told Entertainment Weekly that she’s already started her own life list. “This movie took me back to her in so many ways. I left that set a different Sofia…I’ve been writing my own ‘life list’ recently, and it was beautiful to see a few of the things that I dreamt of have come true.” As for her performance in The Life List, Carson stated, “Playing Alex Rose is something so beautiful to me.”
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Where Can I Watch ‘The Life List’?
The Life List is the newest romantic comedy by director Adam Brooks and stars Sofia Carson, Connie Britton, and Kyle Allen. The Life List is streaming on Netflix as of March 2025.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
