Why this story stays with you, and what it can teach us about legacy and love.
Some films don’t just entertain—they stay with you. Not because of the action or the drama, but because of the quiet questions they leave lingering in your heart.
The Life List, currently trending in Netflix’s Top 10, is one of those films. A story that begins with loss, but unfolds into something deeper: rediscovery, reflection, and the courage to live a life that truly feels like your own.
What is The Life List about?
We meet Alex Rose, a young woman who loses her mother, Elizabeth, to cancer. When the will is read, Alex expects a typical inheritance: her position at the family cosmetics company, financial support, something familiar.
But what she receives is something else entirely.
Instead of money, Elizabeth leaves Alex a challenge: to complete a “life list” — a handwritten list of dreams, wishes, and goals Elizabeth wrote when she was thirteen. Only by completing the list will Alex unlock her inheritance, guided along the way by video messages her mother recorded in advance.
As Alex steps out of her carefully constructed life, she’s forced to face everything she’s been avoiding: painful family truths, emotional vulnerability, and the unknown. From learning to play piano again, to volunteering at a youth shelter, to searching for her biological father—each task breaks down a layer, and builds something new in return.
“The Life List is a heartwarming reminder that the most meaningful legacies aren’t made of money or fame, but of love, memory, and unfinished dreams.” – Jane Doe, Decider
What can we learn from Alex—and her mother?
What makes this film so powerful is that Elizabeth doesn’t leave behind possessions. She leaves behind intention. Through her list, she gently nudges her daughter back to herself—not to who Alex was told to be, but to who she might truly be underneath.
With Alex, you see how loss doesn’t freeze her—it moves her forward.
Through her mother, you’re reminded of something we often forget:
My Heartspace is here to help
At My Heartspace, we believe that memories are the most valuable legacy we can leave. We help people capture their stories, messages, and reflections—in a way that feels meaningful, safe, and true to who they are.
To make it easier, our app includes more than 350 thoughtful questions to help you get started. You’ll also find features that support you step by step—whether you want to write, speak, or simply take a moment to reflect.
Not polished. Not forced. Just real.
Why you should watch The Life List today
This film isn’t just about grief—it’s about growth. About showing up for yourself, even when it’s hard. About giving love room to stretch, evolve, and remain present, even when someone is gone.
And most of all, it’s a reminder: you don’t have to wait until “someday” to start creating your legacy.
So take a quiet evening, watch The Life List, and let it move you.
And if afterward, you feel the urge to write something down, record a thought, or share a part of yourself—you’ll know exactly where to start.
Click here to watch the film on Netflix.
Ready to start your own life list?
The Life List beautifully shows how powerful it can be to reflect on what truly matters—what you still want to experience, say, or pass on.
If this film sparked something in you, I invite you to begin your own. In a separate blog, I guide you step by step: from finding inspiration to writing down what feels meaningful to you. Read how to create your own life list here.
The biggest gift to give.
