Netflix’s romantic dramedy, The Life List, works towards a satisfying ending that answers the question of whether Alex completes her list by the New Year. Adapted from the romance book by Lori Nelson Spielman, the movie follows a woman named Alex who agrees to fulfill her mother’s final wish – that she complete the “life list” she made when she was 13 years old. If she can finish all twelve items on the list by New Year’s, Alex will gain her inheritance.

However, Alex’s goals won’t be as easy as she expects. She starts trying to complete her tasks but keeps running into obstacles, such as learning that her mother had an affair, leading to her conception. Luckily, Brad, the lawyer in charge of Elizabeth’s will, steps in to support her through the year-long journey. Like all of the best rom-coms, Alex and Brad find themselves falling in love when they least expect it. This leads to a romantic ending that shows Alex’s growth as a person and as a romantic partner.

How Alex Completes All The Items On Her Life List

Alex Leans On Her Support System When Working Through The Life List

Although the movie includes a romantic subplot, the main storyline in The Life List is Alex’s journey to complete her life list from when she was 13 years old – her mother’s last wish. Some of the goals, like doing stand-up comedy and getting a tattoo, prove more straightforward than others. Many of the items on her list, like reconciling with her dad and being a good teacher, prove almost impossible. After a year, she manages to achieve all the goals, except for finding true love, thanks to the help of Brad and her brothers.

Brad steps in to support her throughout the journey, showing up at the comedy club, setting her up with a teaching job at the women’s shelter, and taking her to meet her biological father. Meanwhile, her brothers surprise her with camping in the backyard of their mom’s house under a full moon. During this sleepover, Julian provides her with insight that allows her to reconcile with her dad. Luckily, her mother thought falling in love in a year wasn’t fair, so she planned for Alex to get her inheritance if she did everything but that one item on the list.

Why Alex & Brad Get Together At The End Of The Life List

Brad Satisfies All 4 Of The Questions About Love

The one goal that Alex thinks she hasn’t achieved at the end of the year timeframe is to “find true love.” She breaks up with her gamer boyfriend, Finn. Even though he seems charming and kind initially, Garrett never actually appreciates Alex, viewing her for how she fits into his life. Since these are the only two men she’s romantically involved with during the year period, the belief that she failed to fall in true love makes sense. However, in actuality, she falls in love with Brad during the year because he provides her with everything the other two men lack, and he meets all four criteria from her mom’s questions.

1. Is he kind?

2. Can you tell him everything in your heart?

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

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

Unlike Finn, Brad never expects her to support his dreams at the expense of her own, encouraging her to follow her pᴀssion for teaching. He also engages with her on an intellectual level that Finn never reaches. Additionally, Brad doesn’t mirror Garrett’s atтιтude. He cares about her life and family throughout The Life List, even helping track down her biological father using his own money when she can’t afford it. Brad doesn’t seem to care about how she slots into his existing life.

Alex’s Inheritance In The Life List Explained

Alex’s Mother Gives Her The House After She Completes The List

Because Alex finishes every item on her life list except for finding true love, she’s given an envelope with her inheritance, which has remained a mystery, inside. It turns out that Alex got exactly what she wanted from the start – her mom’s house and everything inside of it. Her mom even took the initiative to create a trust that would cover the fees and repairs, recognizing that a teaching job wouldn’t necessarily give Alex the income to cover the costs of owning a home.

This choice of inheritance proves that Elizabeth knew and understood Alex. Elizabeth realized that her daughter was the most sentimental child, and Alex would appreciate the house more than anyone else. However, by making her finish her life list before getting the house, Elizabeth prevented her daughter from shutting herself inside and burying herself in grief.

The decision to keep the specifics of the inheritance secret until the end also allows Alex to take steps for the sake of finishing the list to honor her mom’s final wish instead of completing it to get the house. The insight into what Alex wants and needs could have come from the fact that Elizabeth and Alex were always the closest family members.

Why Alex & Her Dad Have A Strained Relationship

Alex Blames Her Dad For Many Things

From the start of The Life List, Alex establishes that she has had a strained relationship with her dad since she was at least 13 years old. Early in the film, it seems like she blames her dad for the divorce, saying “he left her” instead of it being mutual. This would undoubtedly cause tension between a parent and child. This was probably amplified by the fact that she idolized her mother and felt protective.

However, based on their dinner scene, the issue runs much deeper. Alex doesn’t feel emotionally supported by her father, causing her to feel angry towards him. She says she feels like she’s always letting him down, bringing up his reaction to her quitting teaching. He refused to comfort his daughter after she got unfairly fired, saying that her mom had that role filled. However, she manages to reconcile with him after her biological father and brothers offer a different perspective on her dad.

The Real Reason That Alex’s Brother Resents Her

Julian Finally Opens Up To Alex At The End Of The Life List

Early in The Life List, it becomes clear that Alex’s brother, Julian, resents her. He’s short with her, dismissive, and doesn’t appear to take her seriously. The exact reason for this doesn’t become apparent until they camp in the backyard under the full moon. It turns out Julian was jealous of Alex. He said that he always thought of Alex and their mom as a super-secret club that nobody else could join. Julian felt isolated from his mother and sad that Alex got preferential treatment. Although his behavior towards his sister isn’t the kindest, this explanation humanizes him.

The True Meaning Of The Life List’s Ending

The Life List Is Just As Much A Story About Self-Growth As It Is About Love

Netflix’s The Life List is a lesson in personal growth, pᴀssion, and love. At the start of the movie, Alex is coasting through life, doing what’s easy instead of what’s fulfilling. She’s given up on her dreams because life has jaded her and kicked her one too many times. Elizabeth’s final request forces Alex to reflect on the goals that she once dreamed of completing.

By the end of the Sofia Carson movie, Alex learns more about who she is as a person by connecting with the person she was before life wore her down. She has a coming-of-age journey which leads her to actual happiness and true love. Alex finally realizes in The Life List that some of the best things in life take hard work and resilience – a lesson that some viewers will undoubtedly need to hear.