Warning: This article includes SPOILERS for The Life List!

Netflix’s The Life List tasks Alex with completing twelve items that she wrote down when she was 13 years old, leading to an entertaining year for her. The streaming giant has gained a name for making great romantic comedies, and this Sofia Carson movie has shown that they can add in a drama element without losing the laughs and romance. The cozy dramedy The Life List is heartfelt, emotional, and inspiring.

Based on the 2013 book by Lori Nelson Spielman, the Netflix movie follows the story of a woman named Alex Rose, who sets out to finish the “life list” she made at 13 years old. To achieve her goal, she’ll need the help of other characters in The Life List. Ultimately, the list of goals helps her learn more about herself than she could ever imagine.

12

“Be A Great Teacher”

Alex Always Knew She Wanted To Be A Teacher

Of all the items on this list, Alex was the closest to achieving this goal before her mother’s death. Alex worked as a teacher in her 20s before she was unjustly fired. However, she stopped working in teaching after that, working as the marketing manager for her mom’s makeup company.

11

“Make Peace, Not War, With Dad”

Alex Felt Closer To Her Mom Growing Up

During The Life List, Alex reveals that her mom always wanted her to have a better relationship with her father, which is why the item is on her list. However, both Alex and her dad seem resistant to the idea of getting closer because they both resent each other.

10

“Learn To Play Clair De Lune So Mom Will Finally Shut Up About It”

Alex Quit Piano Lessons Before Learning This Song

Alex shares during The Life List that she took piano lessons when she was younger and stopped. As such, she enlists the help of her former teacher so that she can learn the song Clair de Lune. The teacher agrees under the conditions that Alex practices every day (including scales) and performs in the recital.

9

“Help People And Make A Difference”

The Life List Goal Is Maddeningly Vague

Of all the items on Alex’s list, this is the most vague and open to interpretation. It’s unclear what exactly she meant when she wrote this on this list, but she checks it off by helping with a fundraising benefit.

8

“Do Stand Up For Once In My Life! I’m Funny”

Alex Already Wrote The Jokes For Her Stand-Up Routine

When Alex decides to complete her life list, this is the first item that she completes. She had already written out the jokes, meaning it didn’t require any preparation. Luckily, she handles the heckler well when onstage.

7

“Get A Tattoo”

Alex Spends Time Scrolling Through Tattoo Ideas Early In The Life List

On the life list, Alex’s mom wrote a note that said it was better to skip this item, but she still had to complete the item on the list for her inheritance. Although Alex got a tattoo on her wrist and showed her brothers, the camera is so zoomed out that it’s difficult to know what exactly she got.

6

“Camp Under A Full Moon”

Alex’s Brothers Help Make This Goal Possible In The Life List

This item on the life list sounds the most like a 13-year-old wrote it, and it’s relatively easy to achieve. Her brothers step in to surprise her with a camp-out in the backyard so that she can check this off her list.

5

“Play One-On-One with a New York Knick”

Alex Is A Major Fan Of The New York Knicks

Despite being extremely unlikely, Alex meets and befriends Patrick Ewing, a New York Knick, during The Life List because of her boyfriend, Garrett. During a fundraising benefit, Alex plays one-on-one with him, completing the goal on her list.

4

“Go All Out In A Mosh Pit”

Alex And Brad Go To A Concert Together

Although her mom annotates that it’s probably a bad idea, one of the items that Alex has to cross off in The Life List is going all out in a mosh pit. She does this with Brad, bringing them closer together.

3

“Read Moby Dick. Every Word. If Julian Can Do It, So Can I”

Alex Meets Garrett While Reading Moby Dick On The Subway

One of the most relatable items on Alex’s list is to read Moby Dick – a book that’s frequently ᴀssigned in English Literature classes but considered difficult. The Life List even pokes fun at this by confirming that both Garrett and Alex struggled to read the book.

2

“Learn To Drive”

Alex Lives In NYC, So Driving Isn’t Necessary

To many who don’t live in New York City or another city with a major public transportation system, the idea of Alex not knowing how to drive in her 30s might not make sense. However, people in NYC frequently don’t learn how to drive since they have alternate forms of transportation. Alex might have technically checked this off the list, but she isn’t very proficient, as shown at the end of The Life List.

1

“Find True Love”

Alex Struggles To Find True Love Despite Being In Relationships

“True” becomes an integral part of this phrase as Alex goes through the year-long span of The Life List. She has to find a way to evaluate what makes someone her true love instead of just love.