List of a Lifetime

List of a Lifetime

Year: 2021

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Roxy Shih

Drama

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, Brenda decides it’s time to start living and embarks on a bucket list journey. Along the way, she reconnects with the daughter she placed for adoption years earlier, and together they experience new adventures and confront past regrets.

List of a Lifetime (2021) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at List of a Lifetime (2021) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a quiet, contemporary world where ordinary lives are suddenly shaken by unexpected news, Brenda Lee receives a diagnosis that forces her to confront the fragility of time. Rather than retreat, she resolves to turn the shock into a catalyst for change, embracing a newfound urgency that infuses everyday moments with both tenderness and daring. The film’s tone balances heartfelt introspection with a gentle undercurrent of hope, inviting viewers to feel the weight of uncertainty while also celebrating the quiet bravery of ordinary people.

Central to Brenda’s journey is the longing to reconnect with the daughter she placed for adoption many years ago. This personal quest introduces Talia, a young woman whose own life has been shaped by the mysteries of her origin, and Meg, a compassionate social worker whose friendship becomes a steady anchor. Their intertwined paths hint at a rich emotional landscape where secrets, love, and the desire for closure mingle, offering a portrait of family that is both chosen and inherited.

The story unfolds against a backdrop of familiar settings—home, work, and the open road—each becoming a canvas for Brenda’s desire to live fully. The narrative’s rhythm is measured, allowing moments of quiet reflection to sit alongside bursts of spontaneous adventure, all underscored by a delicate, uplifting soundtrack that mirrors the characters’ inner beats. Through subtle glances and unspoken understandings, the film captures the delicate dance between fear and freedom that defines a life reevaluated.

Ultimately, the film presents a moving meditation on the ways we choose to honor ourselves and the people we love when time feels both fleeting and expansive. With its warm, intimate storytelling, it encourages audiences to consider their own bucket lists, the connections that shape them, and the courage required to step into the unknown while holding onto hope.

Last Updated: September 05, 2025 at 18:13

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about healing family relationships like List of a Lifetime

Stories about mending broken relationships and finding peace with the past.If you enjoyed the emotional journey of reconciliation in List of a Lifetime, you'll appreciate these movies. They feature characters mending broken bonds and confronting past regrets, offering stories of healing, reconnection, and found family that share a similar hopeful and cathartic feel.

catharticreconnectingreflectivehopefulmelancholichealingquietemotional

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically involve a protagonist who is prompted by a life-changing event to address a fractured relationship from their past. The story follows their journey of reaching out, facing difficult truths, and working toward forgiveness and understanding, culminating in emotional resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a core focus on the emotional arc of reconciliation. They balance the weight of past mistakes with the hopeful, uplifting process of healing, creating a specific, cathartic viewing experience centered on human connection.

Movies about bucket list journeys like List of a Lifetime

Character-driven stories about rediscovering life in the face of mortality.Fans of List of a Lifetime's life-affirming adventure will find similar vibes in these films. Explore stories where characters facing a serious diagnosis or a life crisis create a bucket list, leading to journeys of self-discovery, new adventures, and profound personal change.

hopefullife-affirmingreflectivejourneymelancholicinspiringcontemplativecathartic

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern begins with a catalyst—often a medical diagnosis or a moment of existential crisis—that forces the protagonist to reassess their life. They then create and pursue a list of experiences, which serves as a framework for the plot. The journey introduces new characters and rekindles old relationships, with each completed item representing a step toward emotional healing and a new perspective on life.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their central premise of a life-list quest sparked by mortality. They share a specific mix of tones: a melancholic undercurrent from the serious premise is balanced by a overwhelmingly hopeful and uplifting arc centered on seizing the day and finding joy.

Unlock the Full Story of List of a Lifetime

Don't stop at just watching — explore List of a Lifetime in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what List of a Lifetime is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

List of a Lifetime Summary

Read a complete plot summary of List of a Lifetime, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

List of a Lifetime Summary

List of a Lifetime Timeline

Track the full timeline of List of a Lifetime with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

List of a Lifetime Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in List of a Lifetime

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape List of a Lifetime. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in List of a Lifetime

More About List of a Lifetime

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about List of a Lifetime: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About List of a Lifetime

Similar Movies to List of a Lifetime

Discover movies like List of a Lifetime that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.