The Life List: Is the Netflix Movie Based on a True Story?

Directed by Adam Brooks, ‘The Life List’ charts the story of a profound journey that a lost soul finds herself on in the aftermath of her mother’s untimely death. When Alex Rose was 13, she wrote down a list of things she wanted to achieve in her life. However, in her 30s, most of the items from that long-forgotten list remain uncrossed while the woman lives in a sensible yet passionless reality. As a result, when her mother, Elizabeth, passes away, she decides to send her daughter on a quest for self-discovery by encouraging him to complete this list and making it a prerequisite for the young woman to unlock her inheritance.

Consequently, Alex finds herself undertaking an unexpected journey. The Netflix film finds a grounded foundation in relatable characters and an accessible setting. Even though the idea of a bucket list assigned from beyond a mother’s grave offers a unique story, the authenticity of Alex’s experiences and relationships strengthens her resonance in real life. Thus, the origins of her tale inherently invite some intrigue.

The Life List is Based on Lori Nelson Spielman’s Work

‘The Life List’ presents a compelling coming-of-age story where a woman in her 30s rediscovers her passion for life and carves out a new reality for herself. The premise and its execution operate on universally relatable themes of self-actualization and the complexities of grief and love. Yet, despite its heightened sense of realism, the story is a work of fiction. It’s an adaptation of the eponymous romance novel from 2013 by Lori Nelson Spielman, brought to the screen by Adam Brooks, who helms the project as the director-writer. Even though the film departs from its literary origins in some ways—most notably so in the changes of the names of the characters—it faithfully mirrors the narrative beats from the author’s work.

Spielman herself was inspired to pen the novel after coming across a box of memories that housed a piece of paper titled “Lori’s List.” In the list, her 14-year-old self had jotted down 27 life goals that she hoped to accomplish in the future. “As I read it, I thought about the dreams I once had, some of which had been fulfilled, others that never would be,” Spielman told Traveling with T in an interview in 2013. “It struck me how very different my life would be now had I achieved each goal. Suddenly, a story was taking shape—the story of a woman forced to complete her old life list, humble goals she thinks she no longer wants.”

From there, Spielman continued to take the occasional inspiration from her real-life inspiration in shaping Brett’s character. For instance, the author utilized her experience as a homebound teacher in an inner-city school district and a volunteer at a homeless shelter to mold some of the specificities of her protagonist’s story. Furthermore, she was intentional about walking the precarious line between the work’s rom-com elements and the heavier themes of grief and self-discovery. Ultimately, these foundational elements ensured that her work retained a deep sense of relatability.

The Life List is About Finding Happiness Through Reinvention

In translating ‘The Life List’ from a novel onto a screen adaptation, Adam Brooks found himself strapped in for a long journey. Reportedly, the filmmaker had started working on the project’s development around a decade ago. Brooks wanted to focus on the more universally resonant aspects of the story by highlighting the significance of reinvention in the wake of a long-standing slump. As a result, even though the film turns Lori Nelson Spielman’s Brett Bohlinger into Alex Rose, adding in a few details and taking some away—the bookish and on-screen protagonists’ storylines remain kindred at heart.

Furthermore, the film leans into the profound mother-daughter relationship that becomes one of the notable pillars of Spielman’s novel. It scrutinizes the importance of living an authentic life, which is underlined for Alex in the wake of her mother’s passing. Thus, the story perpetually strives to influence the audience to connect with her story and walk out with a newfound appreciation for big life changes. Actress Sofia Carson, who portrays the role of Alex, was particularly moved by her character’s uniquely evocative position. In a conversation with Netflix, Carson spoke about the protagonist’s inherent reliability and said, “Alex Rose awakens us to life again. The Life List is a portrait of life. Moving through loss with tears in her eyes, a smile on her face, wit on her lips, as she learns to live again.”