Netflix’s top 10 is constantly changing, but this week’s latest addition might surprise you. Melissa McCarthy’s 2018 comedy movie “Life of the Party” has rocketed near the top of the U.S. charts after landing on Netflix on November 1, proof that even a modest box office performer can find new life on the biggest streaming service.
I’ll admit comedy is probably my least-watched genre, but clearly it hits differently this time of year as we head into the season of festive joy and comfort watches. And who better to bring the laughs than McCarthy? The actress, known for “Bridesmaids” and “Spy,” plays a newly divorced mom who decides to go back to college alongside her daughter.
“Life of the Party” was co-written and directed by McCarthy’s husband, Ben Falcone, yet it didn’t land well with critics upon release, earning just $65 million worldwide and a sea of green splats on Rotten Tomatoes. Still, that hasn’t stopped Netflix viewers from checking it out. If you’ve seen “Life of the Party” pop up on your homepage, here’s everything you need to know before adding it to your Netflix watchlist.
What is ‘Life of the Party’ about?
After her husband suddenly asks for a divorce, middle-aged mom Deanna (Melissa McCarthy) decides to turn her life upside down by going back to college, at the same university her daughter, Maddie (Molly Gordon), attends.
Trading her suburban routine for dorm rooms, late-night parties, and group projects, Deanna throws herself into campus life with infectious enthusiasm. As she tries to finish the degree she abandoned years ago, she becomes an unexpected hit among Maddie’s friends, forming unlikely bonds and rediscovering her own confidence along the way.
Between the chaos of college life, Deanna starts to rebuild her confidence and her bond with her daughter.
Should you stream ‘Life of the Party’ on Netflix?
Anyone who enjoys a comedy with a lighthearted plot and an overload of seriously cheesy humor will probably enjoy “Life of the Party.” McCarthy’s bubbly energy drives most of the laughs, making it easy to switch your brain off for nearly two hours, and for some, that might be bliss.
In this comedy, McCarthy plays a cheerful mom whose life takes an unexpected turn shortly after she drops her college-senior daughter off at school. Her husband (Matt Walsh) then announces he’s leaving her for another woman. Obviously shocked and frustrated, Deanna decides to take matters into her own hands, heading back to college at the same school as Maddie to finally finish the degree she once put aside for marriage and motherhood.
Much of the humor comes from watching the slightly awkward, endlessly enthusiastic Deanna adjust to campus life. There’s also a softer side, as the story touches on her evolving relationship with Maddie and her new friends, Amanda (Adria Arjona), Debbie (Jessie Ennis), and Helen (Gillian Jacobs).
However, even though there’s charm wrapped neatly around this movie, the flaws are hard to ignore once you unwrap it. For one, while the comedy is definitely there, there’s not much else in the way of a rich story or a script that feels like it has something meaningful to say. In such a crowded genre, that’s not usually a great quality. “Life of the Party” is proof that even the funniest actors need strong material to really shine.
Hence its low scores: critics gave the comedy a 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences weren’t much kinder, giving it 40%. The site’s critics consensus reads: “Life of the Party's good-natured humor and abundance of onscreen talent aren't enough to make up for jumbled direction and a script that misses far more often than it hits.”
“Life of the Party” is probably best suited for viewers looking for something light and easygoing this weekend, or a movie to watch when you just want a few laughs. Its place in Netflix's trending list feels more like a testament to McCarthy’s star power and people’s curiosity than a reflection of cinematic quality. Go in expecting a fun, harmless romp rather than a tightly crafted comedy, and you’ll likely get exactly what it offers.
Stream "Life of the Party" on Netflix.
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