Streaming habits are weird. One night you’re watching a gritty, three-hour historical epic, and the next, you’re curled up on the couch with a bag of popcorn watching a movie about a girl who dies in a bathroom and has to earn her way into heaven. That’s the reality of After Life of the Party, the 2021 Netflix flick starring Victoria Justice. It’s light. It’s colorful. Honestly, it’s exactly what people want when the world feels a bit too heavy.
Movies like this don't usually win Oscars. Critics often tear them apart for being "predictable" or "saccharine," but the numbers don't lie. Upon its release, the film shot straight to the number one spot on Netflix’s top 10 list in several countries. People weren't just watching it; they were talking about the outfits, the friendship dynamics, and whether or not Victoria Justice still had that "it" factor from her Nickelodeon days. She did.
What Actually Happens in After Life of the Party?
Cassie is a social butterfly. Or, more accurately, she’s a party planner who lives for the high of a crowded room. Her best friend, Lisa—played by Midori Francis—is the exact opposite. Lisa is a neuro-scientist, or something equally brainy, who prefers quiet nights and puzzles. The tension between their lifestyle choices is the engine of the first act. Then, Cassie dies. It’s not a spoiler; it’s the premise. She slips in a bathroom after a night of heavy partying and hits her head.
Enter the "In-Between."
This isn't The Good Place with its complex philosophy and ethics. It’s a bit more "Pop-Princess Purgatory." Cassie meets Val, her guardian angel (played by Robyn Scott), who informs her that she has five days to right her wrongs on Earth. If she succeeds in helping the three most important people in her life find closure, she gets into the "Big Party" upstairs. If she fails? Well, it’s the "Underground After-Party" for her.
Why the Critics and the Audience Disagreed
If you look at Rotten Tomatoes, the gap is pretty telling. Critics gave it a lukewarm reception, often citing the thin plot. But the audience score tells a different story. Why? Because After Life of the Party knows exactly what it is. It isn't trying to be Inception. It’s a comfort movie.
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There’s something deeply relatable about the idea of a "do-over." We’ve all had those friendships that drifted or those parent-child dynamics that felt unresolved. Watching Cassie—a character who was admittedly a bit selfish in life—stumble through the process of actually listening to people is satisfying. It’s "lifestyle" cinema. The clothes are trendy, the lighting is bright, and the stakes feel high emotionally even if we know how it’s going to end.
Victoria Justice brings a specific energy here. After Victorious, she stayed somewhat under the radar compared to some of her peers. This film was a reminder that she has serious comedic timing and a charm that carries even the fluffiest of scripts. Her chemistry with Midori Francis feels genuine. You actually believe they were best friends who grew apart because one grew up and the other just kept dancing.
The Soundtrack and the Aesthetic
Music plays a huge role in the film's identity. Since Victoria Justice is a singer, the movie leans into that. The song "Home," which she performed for the film, became a minor hit among fans. It’s a mid-tempo ballad that anchors the more emotional scenes toward the end.
Then there’s the fashion. Costume designer Kirston Leigh Mann—who worked on The Good Place and Brooklyn Nine-Nine—clearly had a blast. Cassie’s outfits are loud, sparkly, and totally impractical for a ghost, which is the point. Lisa’s wardrobe, by contrast, is muted and functional. It’s visual storytelling 101, but it works perfectly for a Netflix audience scrolling through thumbnails at 11:00 PM.
The Realism in the Fantasy
It sounds crazy to talk about realism in a movie where a ghost uses a magical elevator, but the emotional core is surprisingly grounded. Cassie’s relationship with her father, played by Adam Garcia, is the highlight. He’s a man who has been stuck in a loop of grief, unable to move on from his daughter’s death and his failed marriage.
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The scenes where Cassie tries to "haunt" him into a healthier lifestyle are both funny and genuinely sad. It touches on the "after life" of the people left behind. When someone young dies suddenly, the ripple effect is chaotic. The film doesn't dive into the darkness of that, but it acknowledges it. It shows that sometimes, the people we love need a "nudge" to start living again.
What We Get Wrong About "Cheesy" Movies
We tend to dismiss movies like After Life of the Party as "filler" content. That’s a mistake. These films serve a massive demographic that wants to feel something without being traumatized. It’s the same reason Hallmark movies are a billion-dollar industry.
The "In-Between" logic in the film is actually quite consistent. Val, the angel, explains that ghosts can't touch things unless they have a strong emotional connection or focus. It’s a standard trope, but the film uses it to create physical comedy. Seeing Cassie struggle to interact with the world she once dominated is a good metaphor for the feeling of being "ghosted" by your own life.
The Impact of the Ending
Without giving away every single beat, the finale of the film leans heavily into the "found family" theme. It’s about forgiveness—not just of others, but of yourself. Cassie spent her life seeking external validation through parties and social status. In her "after life," she finds it by being invisible and helping others shine.
It’s a classic arc.
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- The initial shock of the situation.
- The realization that she can't just "party" her way through the task.
- The genuine heartbreak of seeing how much she was missed.
- The final sacrifice/selfless act.
It’s a formula because it works.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Next Rewatch
If you’re going back to watch it again, pay attention to the background details in the "In-Between" scenes. There are lots of little visual gags about the bureaucracy of the afterlife that are easy to miss the first time. Also, look at the color palette. As Cassie becomes more selfless, the colors in her environment start to shift from artificial neon to more natural, warm tones. It’s subtle, but it’s there.
After Life of the Party isn't going to change the world. It’s not going to be taught in film schools as a masterclass in cinematography. But it is a solid, heartwarming, and occasionally funny look at what it means to be a good friend. Sometimes, that’s more than enough.
Actionable Takeaways for Movie Lovers
- Check out the "Home" Music Video: If you liked the film's vibe, the music video for the lead single gives a nice behind-the-scenes look at the production.
- Follow the Cast: Midori Francis has since gone on to do great work in Grey's Anatomy and The Sex Lives of College Girls. Seeing her range compared to this role is fascinating.
- Explore the "Supernatural Rom-Com" Genre: If this hit the spot, movies like Just Like Heaven or Ghost Town offer a similar mix of laughs and "afterlife" stakes.
- Focus on the Friendship: Instead of viewing it as a romance, watch it as a story about platonic love. The real "soulmate" in the movie isn't a boyfriend; it's the best friend who never gave up.
- Look for the Direction: Director Stephen Herek also directed The Mighty Ducks and 101 Dalmatians. You can see his touch in how he handles the family-friendly but slightly edgy tone.
The legacy of After Life of the Party is its simplicity. It’s a 95-minute escape into a world where mistakes can be fixed, even if it takes a literal miracle to do it. It reminds us that we shouldn't wait until we're "ghosts" to tell the people in our lives that we appreciate them. Go call your best friend. Or at least send them a meme. Life is short, and bathroom floors are slippery.