Victoria Justice is Effervescent in Netflix’s Afterlife of the Party

My birthday is an epic event…at least in my mind. Every year, I gather a few souls who are brave enough to hang and indulge with a sista’ in some crazy activities planned ranging from wine tours to sex toy parties. To some of my peeps, I am literally the life of the party.

Everybody knows that person who literally lights up a room with their presence. That person who is literally the life of the party, the social butterfly who can’t imagine turning up every second of their life.

In Afterlife of the Party, Cassie (Victoria Justice) is totally that doll and her bestie Lily Dash (Midori Francis) is always along for the ride, until that ride is cut radically short by an accidental bump on the head.

Written by Carrie Freedle and directed by Stephen Herek, this film touched my heart in so many ways. Mostly, because it is such a strong message regarding the importance of not taking friendship for granted, how sacred those friendships can become and those all too important lessons of not taking life for granted for you never know when your number is up. I sobbed at the scenes where Victoria’s presence is felt by her father as I am reminded all too often of those presences felt of loved ones lost along the way prior to their transition or immediately afterwards.

Especially, after living through a global pandemic, Afterlife of the Party sat on my spirit in such a a visceral touching way, yet made me laugh while enjoying just being in the moment.  A moment that so many are no longer able to experience.

Victoria Justice and Midori Francis are adorable and have such insane chemistry that when they start talking about an impromptu dance party, you literally want to hop up on the screen and join them.  Their presence lightens up the plot with a friendship that has clearly stood the test of time.

So, the next time aa whiff of perfume from a loved one engulfs your surroundings, or a breeze blows past or butterfly sits on your shoulder, just know that someone you once loved is looking out for you when you least expect it.