The story of The Life List begins with a somber scene: Alex’s mother, Elizabeth, is battling metastatic cancer. As Elizabeth’s health deteriorates, she makes significant changes to Alex’s life—she eliminates Alex’s job at Rose Cosmetics and appoints her daughter-in-law as the new CEO. Elizabeth also arranges for the family home to remain unsold for a year, allowing them to use it in the meantime. However, Alex herself receives no immediate inheritance and is told she will only learn the details after completing a series of tasks set by her mother.

After Elizabeth passes away, Alex finds herself alone and watches a video left by her mother. In this video, Elizabeth explains that Alex’s inheritance is locked behind a challenge: Alex must complete a “life list” that she wrote at age 13. This list is meant to prevent Alex from settling for a life dictated by duty rather than passion. A young lawyer named Brad, the executor, will verify the completion of each task and deliver new videos from Elizabeth along the way. The list includes a variety of goals such as performing stand-up comedy, getting a tattoo, volunteering as a teacher in a shelter, and finding true love. Elizabeth also gives Alex what she calls a “four point true love test,” which requires opening her heart fully, kindness from the partner, inspiration to be her best self, and the ability to imagine having children with that person.

Alex first shows the list to her boyfriend, Finn, who imagines an ambitious future where they start a gaming company together. Alex is taken aback by this and turns to Brad, accepting the challenge her mother set. One early scene takes place in a comedy club’s open mic night, where Alex confronts and defeats a heckler, effectively pushing herself out of her comfort zone. Following this, she volunteers to teach high schoolers in a shelter, facing difficulties with one troubled student. Seeking guidance, she consults the shelter coordinator Garrett, who is a recent acquaintance.

As Alex progresses through the list, the film takes audiences through various moments of personal growth and unexpected interactions. Alex’s comedic performance is a milestone moment where she confronts fear head-on. Her volunteering work introduces her to new experiences and challenges, showcasing her evolving compassion and resilience. Along the way, Alex and Brad develop a connection, adding a nuanced layer to the story, even as Brad himself is in a long-distance relationship. Their bond deepens as Alex continues completing the tasks, and each completed goal brings a new video message from Elizabeth that reveals more about her intentions and love for her daughter.

The climax and resolution hinge on Alex completing every item on the life list except the elusive task of finding true love. At the end, Brad hands her an envelope containing her inheritance. It turns out that Elizabeth has left Alex the family home and everything inside it—along with a trust fund to cover the upkeep and taxes, recognizing that Alex’s chosen career as a teacher might not provide sufficient income for homeownership. In this way, Elizabeth’s final gift is not just material but symbolic: a home that represents stability, love, and the fulfillment of personal dreams. The film closes on a hopeful note, with Alex embracing the path her mother designed for her, having grown into a fuller version of herself.

Throughout the film, Alex’s character arc is marked by a transformation from someone living under the weight of family expectations and routine, to a woman who rediscovers her youthful dreams and gains confidence by daring to step outside her comfort zones. The narrative is deeply personal and visceral, highlighting moments like the nervousness and exhilaration of performing comedy, the emotional challenges of teaching vulnerable youths, and the vulnerability involved in opening her heart to new relationships.

These scenes are crafted to give the viewer a sense of intimate involvement in Alex’s journey, capturing the small victories and setbacks that define her evolution. The legacy left by Elizabeth is not only about inheritance but about inspiring Alex to live authentically and embrace the unexpected unfolding of her life.

This narrative unfolds over several months, culminating around New Year’s, which serves as a poignant deadline for Alex to complete the life list and claim her inheritance, symbolizing a fresh start and new beginnings.

Alex faces several challenges while completing her life list, including stepping out of her comfort zone by performing standup comedy, volunteering as a teacher in a shelter for high schoolers, and navigating complex emotions related to her mother's death and her own aspirations. She also struggles with the conditions of her inheritance, which requires her to complete the list and pass a four-point true love test involving openness, kindness, inspiration, and imagining a future with children.

Alex's relationship with Brad, the young lawyer overseeing her inheritance tasks, develops as she completes her life list. Despite Brad having a long-distance girlfriend, he and Alex connect in meaningful ways. Their interactions provide both support and romantic tension, intertwining with Alex's personal growth and the unfolding of her mother's legacy.

Elizabeth, Alex's mother, plays a pivotal role posthumously by leaving a video and a childhood life list for Alex. Elizabeth's instructions and the videos she recorded serve as a guide and motivation for Alex to rediscover her true self and aspirations. Elizabeth's challenge is designed to prevent Alex from settling into a life of duty rather than passion, pushing her to live fully and authentically.

Alex's life list includes tasks such as performing standup comedy, getting tattoos, volunteering as a teacher, and finding true love. These tasks are meant to push her beyond her comfort zone and help her reconnect with her youthful dreams. While some critics note that the tasks seem generic and have limited impact on Alex's life, the film portrays them as a roadmap for her personal growth and self-discovery, culminating in emotional and romantic developments.

The film portrays Alex's transformation as a journey of self-evolution where she takes risks, faces fears, and steps into her mother's legacy. As she completes each item on the life list, Alex grows more confident and authentic, moving from a life of obligation to one of passion and purpose. Her experiences, including her interactions with Brad and her volunteer work, deepen her understanding of herself and what she truly wants from life.

The movie The Life List (2025) can be considered generally family-friendly, with no violence and no explicit sexual content. It features themes of self-discovery, family relationships, and personal growth, which are presented in a mature but accessible way.

However, there are a few elements that may be potentially upsetting or sensitive for children or sensitive viewers:

• Emotional content related to grieving the death of a mother and family tensions, including characters displaying apathy or insensitivity toward others' grief. These themes may be distressing, especially for younger or more sensitive children.
• A brief scene where a man is accidentally seen naked by children, though there is no explicit nudity shown to the audience.
• Some relationship dynamics and character attitudes, especially involving the protagonist's romantic relationships and family conflicts, which might feel complex or unsettling for some viewers.

There is no violence or strong language reported. Overall, the film focuses more on emotional growth than dramatic or intense content.

In summary, parents should be aware that while there is no explicit or violent content, the movie does contain emotional themes around loss, family conflict, and maturation that might be upsetting to sensitive viewers or younger children. It would be best suited for older children, teenagers, and adults who can process themes of grief and personal struggle.