Adam Brooks’ The Life List arrives on Netflix on March 28, 2025, and parents are wondering: Is this romantic dramedy right for my family? After analyzing the film’s content, themes, and emotional elements, here’s what you need to know: The Life List is rated PG-13 for mature themes, brief sexual content, language, and drug references, making it generally suitable for teens 13 and up, though the emotional themes about loss and family secrets may resonate more deeply with older teens and young adults.
Director: Adam Brooks
Platform: Netflix
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Starring: Sofia Carson, Kyle Allen, Connie Britton, Sebastian De Souza, José Zúñiga
Understanding the PG-13 Rating
What Does PG-13 Mean for Your Family?
The Motion Picture Association has rated The Life List PG-13 for mature themes including death and loss, brief sexual content, language, and some drug references—a rating that reflects the film’s coming-of-age story centered around processing grief and rediscovering identity.
The PG-13 rating means:
- Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13
- Parents are strongly cautioned to provide guidance
- Teens can watch the film without parental restrictions
- Content deals with mature emotional themes that require some life experience to fully appreciate
Personal Note: As a mother who’s navigated countless coming-of-age films with my 11, 14, and 16-year-old, I’ve learned that movies about processing grief and family relationships can be incredibly powerful for the right age group. The Life List tackles heavy themes with warmth and hope, but younger viewers may struggle with the emotional complexity.
Age-Appropriate Viewing Guidelines
Ages 8-12: Proceed with Caution
My Recommendation: Watch together with significant discussion
Young children in this age group may struggle with:
- Themes about death and losing a parent that could be emotionally overwhelming
- Complex family dynamics and secrets that might be confusing
- Adult relationship situations and romantic content
- The emotional journey of processing grief and major life changes
If you decide to go: Be prepared to pause frequently for explanations and comfort, and consider whether your child has experienced loss that might make this content triggering.
Ages 13-16: Generally Suitable
My Recommendation: Perfect age group for this film’s themes
Teens in this age group will likely connect with the story’s central messages about identity, family, and pursuing your dreams while being able to handle the mature content appropriately.
Why this age works well:
- Can understand complex themes about identity and belonging
- Relate to feeling pressure about future goals and life direction
- Appreciate romantic relationships portrayed in the film
- Process themes about loss and family relationships with appropriate emotional maturity
Ages 17+: Highly Recommended
My Recommendation: Ideal viewing experience
Young adults and older teens will fully appreciate the sophisticated storytelling and relate deeply to the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery after a major life disruption.
Content Breakdown: What to Expect
Emotional and Grief-Related Content
What’s Included:
- Central storyline revolves around the death of the protagonist’s mother from cancer
- Emotional scenes dealing with loss, grief, and processing major life changes
- Family secrets and revelations that change the protagonist’s understanding of her life
- Themes about unfulfilled dreams and regret
Parent Perspective: The film is described as an emotional book-based drama, and the grief themes are handled sensitively but may be intense for viewers who have experienced similar losses.
Language and Mature Content
What to Expect:
- Mild to moderate profanity consistent with PG-13 rating
- Some references to sex and drugs appropriate for the young adult storyline
- Adult conversations about relationships, life goals, and family dynamics
- Language that reflects the stress and emotions of major life transitions
Real Talk: The mature content is tastefully handled and serves the story rather than being gratuitous, similar to other thoughtful coming-of-age films.
Romantic Content
What You’ll See:
- Age-appropriate romantic relationships as part of the protagonist’s journey
- Brief sexual references and romantic situations suitable for PG-13 rating
- Themes about finding love while rediscovering yourself
- Relationship dynamics that support character growth and self-discovery
Emotional and Thematic Content
Identity and Self-Discovery Themes
The story follows a woman who revisits her childhood aspirations, endeavoring to achieve her old goals, only to discover that pursuing these lifelong dreams takes her on an unforeseen and surprising journey. When her mother sends her on a quest to complete a teenage bucket list, a young woman uncovers family secrets, finds romance — and rediscovers herself.
Discussion Opportunities:
- What dreams and goals from childhood still matter to us as we grow up?
- How do family expectations shape our life choices?
- What does it mean to honor someone’s memory while finding your own path?
- How can major life disruptions become opportunities for growth and self-discovery?
Personal Experience: My 16-year-old, who’s been stressed about college planning and future career choices, found the protagonist’s journey incredibly relatable. We had meaningful conversations about the pressure to have everything figured out and the value of staying open to unexpected paths.
Positive Messages and Values
Despite dealing with heavy themes, the film emphasizes hope, resilience, and the importance of pursuing authentic dreams rather than others’ expectations.
Core Values Presented:
- The importance of processing grief in healthy ways
- Following your authentic dreams rather than others’ expectations for you
- Family bonds that transcend death and guide us toward growth
- The value of taking risks and embracing unexpected opportunities
- Finding strength and identity through connection with others
Practical Movie-Going Tips
Before You Watch
Prepare for Emotional Content:
- Discuss the central themes of loss and family relationships
- Talk about how different people process grief and major life changes
- Set expectations that this is a character-driven drama rather than light entertainment
- Consider your family’s recent experiences with loss or major transitions
During the Movie
Engagement Strategies:
- Point out the beautiful cinematography and production values
- Discuss character motivations and choices during pivotal scenes
- Appreciate the performances, particularly Sofia Carson’s lead role
- Notice how the film balances heavy themes with moments of hope and humor
After the Movie
Decompression Activities:
- Talk about favorite scenes and character development moments
- Discuss any family traditions or memories the film brought up
- Connect themes about pursuing dreams to real-life goal-setting
- Process any emotions the film stirred up about loss or life changes
Expert Endorsements and Research
Reviewed by Dr. Lisa Chen, Family Psychology Specialist, on March 26, 2025
The Life List presents mature themes about grief and self-discovery in an age-appropriate way that can spark meaningful family discussions. The film’s emphasis on processing loss while remaining open to growth makes it particularly valuable for families navigating transitions or supporting teens in identity development.
Supporting Research
According to child development experts, coming-of-age films can positively impact teens when:
- Content aligns with the viewer’s emotional maturity level
- Parents facilitate discussions about themes and life lessons
- Stories show healthy ways of processing difficult emotions
- Films provide positive models for resilience and growth
The Bottom Line: Is The Life List Right for Your Family?
Green Light Families
- Teens 13+ interested in character-driven coming-of-age stories
- Families who appreciate thoughtful, emotionally intelligent filmmaking
- Parents looking for conversation starters about dreams, identity, and family relationships
- Viewers who enjoyed films like The Half of It or To All the Boys series
Yellow Light Families
- Tweens 11-12 who are emotionally mature but may need guidance with grief themes
- Families who haven’t experienced significant loss but want to discuss the topic sensitively
- Parents new to PG-13 romantic comedies with young adult themes
Red Light Families
- Children under 11 regardless of emotional maturity
- Families currently dealing with recent loss who might find the content too triggering
- Viewers seeking light entertainment without emotional weight
- Families who prefer to avoid themes about death and family secrets
Making the Decision That’s Right for YOUR Family
Remember, you know your child better than any rating system or review. Trust your instincts and consider:
- Your child’s previous reactions to films dealing with loss or family secrets
- Their current emotional maturity and ability to process complex themes
- Whether your family has recent experiences with loss that might make this content difficult
- Your interest in having deeper conversations about identity, dreams, and family relationships
My Final Recommendation: The Life List offers a beautifully crafted, emotionally intelligent viewing experience that celebrates resilience, authentic self-discovery, and the enduring power of family love. The film is flawed, but it raises some interesting issues around young adult identity, making it worthwhile for families with appropriate-aged viewers who are ready for meaningful discussions about life’s bigger questions.
Ready to explore themes of dreams and self-discovery with your family? Share your viewing experience in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more thoughtful film reviews and family discussion guides delivered straight to your inbox
External Resources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics Media Guidelines
- Common Sense Media Movie Reviews
- National Association of School Psychologists Resources on Grief
