Former Disney star Sofia Carson has grown as much as make fairly a reputation for herself on Netflix. After emotionally wrecking audiences with Purple Hearts in 2022, she appeared in 2024’s Carry-On, and subsequent up on the 2025 film calendar she stars within the rom-com The Life Checklist. Critics have been capable of stream the brand new Netflix film forward of its March 28 launch, so do you have to add this one to observe this weekend? Let’s see what critics are saying.
Sofia Carson stars as Alex Rose, who — after the loss of life of her mom (Connie Britton) — decides to revisit her checklist of childhood aspirations, just for the challenge to take her on an surprising journey. Rachel Labonte of ScreenRant says she was charmed by the heartwarming dramedy that solidifies Carson’s partnership with the streamer. The critic charges it a 6 out of 10, writing:
Whereas The Life Checklist cannot solely keep away from some shallowness, I discovered myself fairly charmed by it. There’s an inherent coziness throughout the manufacturing that, in a method, made it the proper film for a quiet Sunday evening. Whereas I am not solely positive that it is one I will ever revisit, it has its charms, and I am sure it can resonate with loads of viewers. A variety of its success comes right down to Sofia Carson, who appears to be quietly turning into one of many streaming service’s Most worthy stars.
Isabella Soares of Collider additionally offers it a 6 out of 10, writing that whereas The Life Checklist — streaming now with a Netflix subscription — is an easy and candy film, viewers might discover themselves rolling their eyes on the predictable plot, underdeveloped subplots and lack of chemistry between Alex and the boys she’s concerned with. Soares says:
This endearing premise, with a mom persevering with to test in on her daughter posthumously, is the principle draw for Carson’s newest collaboration with Netflix. But, the movie additionally would not shrink back from threading into romance territory. A love triangle is interwoven with Alex’s journey to perform all of the gadgets on her bucket checklist, including a dose of messiness to her path to self-discovery. Balancing romance and grief, The Life Checklist proves to be the kind of feel-good fluff you’d count on it to be. Nonetheless, that does not imply you should not tag alongside.
John Serba of Decider says “Stream It,” as a result of despite the fact that there’s no purpose for this film to be longer than 2 hours, the characters are nice sufficient to spend that period of time with. Serba continues:
The ever-endearing former Disney Channel staple Carson is able to bearing the load of its mild comedy and middleweight drama, even when the character written for her is a couple of quarter-shade shy of being a recognizable three-dimensional human being. Crucially, the movie ideas extra towards the drama portion of dramedy by way of Alex’s assertion of her targets — she isn’t leaping by hoops only for materials rewards, however as a result of she understands the knowledge her mom espouses. Carson’s easygoing chemistry with Allen simply would possibly win you over.
Caroline Siede of A.V. Membership grades the “boring romantic tearjerker” a C, writing that Netflix has now moved into Lifetime territory by producing weepy, romantic melodramas. In Siede’s phrases:
At two hours, The Life Checklist is overlong and full of subplots that will have been significant within the novel, however simply muddy the waters right here. (That features a ladies’s shelter that inexplicably has a classroom for highschool college students, and a romantic rival who fairly actually wanders off display screen the second she’s now not wanted.) Whereas The Life Checklist will get higher because it goes alongside, it calls for a excessive tolerance for sluggish filmmaking earlier than it will get to the stronger stuff.
Ema Sasic of Subsequent Finest Image additionally doesn’t totally suggest The Life Checklist, as she calls it an “aggressively okay movie,” that regardless of its good message fails to indicate any aptitude or character. Mainly film to fold laundry to. Sasic offers it 4 out of 10 and says:
The Life Checklist might have an inspiring message for its viewers, however the way in which it tells this story is something however. With little aptitude, flat characters, and a script that just about writes itself, it’s one other unmemorable Netflix movie that joins the abyss of forgotten-about films on the streaming platform. It’s a disgrace, given the beautiful on-screen relationship between Carson and Allen and the life-affirming reminder on this story. Perhaps it can encourage the forged and crew to place down ‘make a greater film’ on their very own life lists sooner or later.
The Life Checklist undoubtedly has its faults, in response to critics, and holds a 36% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Nevertheless, for those who’re a fan of Sofia Carson or suppose Netflix’s rom-coms are a number of the finest romantic comedies, give it a shot and draw your individual conclusion.