Movie Overview
The To Do List is a raunchy coming-of-age comedy that offers a unique female perspective on teenage sexuality. Set in 1993, the film stars Aubrey Plaza as Brandy Klark, a brilliant but sexually inexperienced high school graduate. Feeling pressure to be more knowledgeable before starting college, Brandy approaches her newfound mission with the same academic rigor she applies to everything else. She drafts a comprehensive list of intimate acts and sets out to complete them during her summer vacation. The plot chronicles her often clumsy and humorous adventures as she checks items off her list, learning that real-life experiences are far more complex than she anticipated.
In addition to Plaza’s standout performance, the cast features Johnny Simmons as her camcorder-wielding crush and Bill Hader as her eccentric boss at the pool club. The film was written and directed by Maggie Carey, who crafted the script to invert the typical teen movie tropes by placing a young woman in the driver’s seat of her own sexual awakening. The supporting cast includes Clark Gregg, Connie Britton, and Andy Samberg, adding depth to the nostalgic 90s setting.
Critically, The To Do List received mixed reviews, holding a 55% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 61/100 on Metacritic. While some critics found the humor uneven, many praised Plaza’s commitment to the role and the film’s refreshing take on the genre. It holds an IMDb rating of 5.8/10. The movie is rated R for its crude and sexual content throughout, pervasive language, and some drug material. If you enjoy unconventional romantic comedies and are looking to watch online, The To Do List delivers a nostalgic and funny experience available on Netflix.
