Some films don’t need flashy special effects or jaw-dropping plot twists to move the audience. All it takes is a good story, captivating characters, and a message that sticks with the soul. The Last List of My Life (original title Les Derniers Jours de ma Vie), available on Netflix, is exactly that kind of movie. A lighthearted drama-comedy that, despite its gentle tone, carries emotional depth in every frame. But what lies behind this story that touches on youth, friendship, and… death?
In this article, we dive deep into a review of this French film that’s won hearts around the world. We’ll explore the characters, the central themes, the narrative tone, and the valuable lessons it offers about living—especially when time feels painfully short.
Synopsis: When the Urgency of Death Awakens the Will to Live
The Last List of My Life tells the story of Marilou, a 16-year-old girl who receives a terminal cancer diagnosis. Instead of letting the illness consume her, she makes a bold decision: to write a bucket list of everything she wants to do before she dies. It’s a teenage dream list filled with bold ideas, hidden desires, and emotional loose ends.
With her two best friends by her side, Marilou embarks on an intense and heartwarming journey. Each item crossed off the list is a celebration of life—and also a way of saying goodbye to the world authentically, with laughter, tears, and even a bit of glorious chaos.
Main Character: A Teenager Balancing Pain and Playfulness
Marilou is the soul of the film. Brilliantly played by young French actress Alexane Jamieson, she embodies the complexity of adolescence. She’s impulsive, funny, sarcastic—but also deeply sensitive. Marilou isn’t a flawless heroine, and that’s exactly why we connect with her so easily.
She doesn’t romanticize her illness. On the contrary—she complains, gets mad, mocks her fate, and jokes about cancer like someone who refuses to give in to tragedy. The film shows us that facing death doesn’t mean passively accepting it, but choosing how to live fully in the time that’s left.
Friendship as the Driving Force
As much as Marilou shines, her friends are just as compelling. The chemistry between the three leads feels natural, full of genuine affection and trust. Lucie and Sofiane aren’t just sidekicks—they are Marilou’s emotional foundation. Their friendship is light, funny, and deeply moving at the same time.
They support her through wild plans, challenge limits, and most importantly, remind her that she’s never alone. The trio’s moments together blend youthful energy with clever dialogue and touching scenes that shift from laughter to tears in seconds. It’s impossible not to recall our own memorable friendships while watching.
Death Without Taboos: An Invitation to Reflect
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its approach to death. Instead of handling it with heavy melancholy, the movie presents the theme naturally, prompting viewers to see mortality as part of the human experience.
The Last List of My Life doesn’t paint death as a villain or a redemption arc—it’s simply the backdrop for a story that chooses to focus on the now. In fact, the film is more about living than dying. And in doing so, it quietly critiques how often we waste time waiting for the “right moment” that may never come.
Soundtrack: The Pulse of Youth
The film’s soundtrack is worth noting. With a selection of indie and European pop tracks, it gives the story a fresh, emotional layer. The music enhances scenes of euphoria, nostalgia, and self-discovery, acting almost like an emotional extension of the characters.
It’s the kind of playlist you’ll want to look up on Spotify as soon as the credits roll—and it might just stay with you for days, reminding you that life, like music, is often made up of small unforgettable moments.
Cinematography and Aesthetic: Emotion Without Overkill
The film’s art direction and cinematography reflect a vibrant, youthful aesthetic without overdoing it. Intimate camera angles and natural lighting contribute to a feeling of realism, almost as if we’re peeking into real life.
The French setting adds charm too—from street scenes to messy teenage bedrooms and public spaces that serve as stages for the bucket list adventures. Everything feels authentic and engaging.
Themes That Resonate: Youth, Choices, and Time
The Last List of My Life touches on universal themes that, while centered on teenage experiences, are relatable to all audiences. After all, who hasn’t delayed a dream? Who hasn’t thought they had “all the time in the world”?
The film dismantles that illusion, reminding us that time is uncertain—and therefore precious. Watching Marilou race against the clock to live fully, we’re challenged to look at our own unfinished lists. That alone is a cinematic achievement.
It also subtly critiques how adults often fail to handle young people’s choices. The school, her parents, the healthcare system—all seem powerless when faced with a teenager determined to live outside the script. The film gently points out how rigid our world can be when dealing with life’s unpredictability.
Humor as a Form of Resistance
One of the smartest aspects of the movie is how it uses humor to deal with pain. Marilou uses jokes as both shield and sword. Her sarcasm throws adults off, but it also brings people closer. Humor becomes her way of staying in control—even when everything else seems lost.
The film makes it clear that laughter doesn’t deny suffering—it coexists with it. The light tone is a brave, effective choice that delivers powerful messages without turning preachy or melodramatic.
A Few Caveats: Don’t Expect All the Answers
If you’re looking for a movie with miraculous solutions or feel-good closure, you might feel a bit unsettled. The Last List of My Life doesn’t hand out life lessons on a platter. It provokes and moves you—but leaves many questions open. And that’s a good thing. Life, after all, is full of uncertainties, and sometimes cinema’s role is to reflect that.
Some critics might argue that the film could’ve further developed certain family relationships or emotional outcomes. But its fast-paced, streamlined narrative matches its purpose: to live every second like it’s the last.
Conclusion: A Love Letter to Life
The Last List of My Life is more than a movie about a sick girl—it’s a love letter to life, painted in vibrant colors and delicate strokes. A film that invites viewers to laugh, cry, and most importantly, rethink their priorities.
In a time where we’re constantly rushing, postponing dreams, and drowning in distractions, this movie asks us to pause. To breathe. And maybe, just maybe, start our own list—not because death is near, but because life doesn’t wait.
Is It Worth Watching? Absolutely—Maybe Even More Than Once
If you’re craving a movie that’s light yet soulful, funny yet meaningful, and leaves you with that beautiful ache in your chest—then The Last List of My Life is a perfect pick. Have tissues ready, but also your heart open for laughter.
Because in the end, this isn’t a story about dying. It’s a story about living—in the most beautiful and honest way possible.