Netflix’s The Life List follows Alex (Sofia Carson) as she navigates grief, self-discovery, and love in the aftermath of her mother Elizabeth’s (Connie Britton) passing. While her brothers receive immediate inheritances, Alex is presented with a challenge—she must complete a checklist she wrote as a teenager before gaining access to her mystery inheritance.
Elizabeth’s lawyer, Brad (Kyle Allen), provides Alex with pre-recorded DVDs from her mother, urging her to rediscover her true self by fulfilling long-forgotten aspirations. The journey takes Alex through unexpected challenges and revelations, pushing her to reevaluate her life and dreams.
Uncovering Family Secrets and Heartfelt Lessons on Love and Self-Discovery
As Alex works through the list, she uncovers deeply buried family secrets. She learns that her mother had an affair, revealing that her biological father is not who she thought he was. Simultaneously, she experiences heartbreak when her budding relationship with Garrett (Sebastian de Souza) falls apart.
Throughout these struggles, Brad remains a steadfast support, even helping her track down her real father. Their growing connection culminates in a brief, passionate encounter, only to be followed by a fight where Alex dismisses their moment as a mistake. Despite these setbacks, Alex remains determined to complete the list, with just one task remaining: finding true love.
The Life List (Photo: Netflix)Although Alex doesn’t manage to find love by the deadline, she meets with the estate lawyer, hoping for a consolation prize. To her surprise, her mother had anticipated this and left her an envelope containing the details of her inheritance. Alex is given their childhood home along with a small trust to help with maintenance.
In the final DVD, Elizabeth reassures Alex that she will no longer impose ultimatums on her and imparts a lasting lesson: “True love is worth fighting for.” This moment serves as a turning point, reinforcing Alex’s need to follow her heart rather than adhere to rigid expectations.
Finding Love and Closure Through Alex’s Journey to Family and New Beginnings
Determined to meet her biological father, Alex embarks on a journey to Vermont, with Brad stepping in to help after her breakup with Garrett. However, tension between Brad and his girlfriend leads to another fallout, resulting in Brad’s single status once again.
Alex finally meets her biological father, Johnny Alvarez (Jordi Mollà), a musician who had once watched her from afar but never approached. Their emotional reunion is cut short when Johnny fails to show up for their planned second meeting, leaving Alex heartbroken but unsurprised. Despite this disappointment, she gains closure and a deeper understanding of her origins.
Reflecting on her mother’s wisdom, Alex turns to her friend Zoe for guidance on identifying true love. Realizing that Brad meets all the criteria, she rushes to confess her feelings—albeit clumsily crashing into his parked car in the process.
Standing outside his home, she admits her love, and they share a passionate kiss. The film concludes on New Year’s Eve, with Alex and Brad celebrating in her newly inherited home. As one of her brothers toasts to their transformative year, Alex embraces her new chapter, having found love, closure, and a renewed sense of purpose.
