Although Stephen King is often synonymous with horror, his true strength lies in his ability to dig deep into what it means to be human. His characters feel real—they’re complex, they’re vulnerable, and they make us think about life’s big questions. Mike Flanagan has done a great job of capturing King’s emotional undercurrents (and darkest nightmares), as seen in his adaptations of Doctor Sleep and Gerald’s Game. And The Life of Chuck is no different. It’s a more thoughtful kind of King story, exploring the fears we all have deep down, like being alone and losing the things that matter most.
Flanagan has never before so beautifully captured the bittersweet dance of life and death as he does in The Life of Chuck, which took home this year’s People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. It’s a touching exploration of life’s mysteries, balancing the beauty of existence with the crushing weight of our own mortality. It invites us to pause, reflect, and ponder the meaning of life. Through Chuck’s journey, we are encouraged to embrace the precious moments we have, cherish the things that truly matter, and find comfort in knowing that our time on Earth, though finite, is a gift to be treasured.
The story, narrated by Nick Offerman, begins with the end—Act 3. We meet Marty (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a schoolteacher trying to maintain some shred of normalcy despite the world teetering on the brink of collapse. Natural disasters (think devasting fires, sinkholes, floods, and all-in-all apocalyptic doom) have become commonplace, California is a distant memory, and the internet has blinked out of existence (R.I.P. PornHub). As their world crumbles around them, Marty and his ex-wife Felicia (Karen Gillan), turn to each other for a lifeline, reconnecting in the face of uncertainty.
This apocalyptic vision is eerily tranquil. Morbid curiosity replaces panic. People wander down the half-empty streets, their daily routines offering the illusion of normalcy in a world gone awry. And, really, everyone is a spectator, watching as their world slowly sinks into oblivion. Matthew Lillard, in a fleeting (yet touching) cameo, equates it to the acceptance phase of their collective grief, a sentiment later echoed by Flanagan’s ethereal treatment of the universe’s final curtain call.
As humanity nears its end, something bizarre begins to happen: billboards and ads start popping up everywhere, thanking accountant Charles “Chuck” Krantz (Tom Hiddleston) for “39 Great Years.” We don’t know who Chuck is or why we are thanking him, but these questions are slowly answered as we venture backward through Chuck’s life.
In Act 2, we meet Chuck: just a regular guy on a seemingly ordinary day during a business trip. On this day, something extraordinary happens. Struck by the beat of a street drummer (Taylor Gordon), Chuck begins dancing his heart out in a wild and carefree moment that is both unexpected and liberating. Janice (Annalise Basso), a stranger passing by, joins the impromptu dance. Their shared joy, born from a chance encounter, is a beautiful reminder that life’s greatest moments can come from the most unexpected places. And it’s the simplest moments—a dance in the kitchen, a shared laugh—that define who we are, who we become, and what we choose to remember in our final moments.
In Act 1, we’re transported back to Chuck’s childhood—his younger self played by Benjamin Pajak and Jacob Tremblay. We learn about the tragic loss of his parents and see his grandparents, Sarah (Mia Sara) and Albie (Mark Hamill), step in to raise him.
While not a traditional horror flick as one might expect from the Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass director, The Life of Chuck still bears some distinctive Flanagan-esque hallmarks, with subtle hints of his signature horror creeping in via a mysterious, locked attic. And it works well, as it’s delivered through the eyes of a child—a time when the world is filled with monsters and the unknown. On the surface, this may seem like an unexpected departure for Flanagan, but it carries the same level of emotional depth that underpins all of his work—especially when it comes to exploring grief, family, and the human experience. Here, these themes are still explored, just through a more hopeful lens.
Eben Bolter’s cinematography and the Newton Brothers’ score create a haunting atmosphere that sticks with you long after the credits roll. But it’s the little things, the fleeting moments, that really hit you hard. Like the one with Kate Siegel as Chuck’s teacher—that is a real gut punch. The performances are excellent across the board, with Ejiofor and Gillan delivering heartfelt portrayals of characters faced with the unimaginable. And of course, there are a bunch of faces you’ll recognize if you’re a Flanagan fan. I had my own fangirl moment when Rahul Kohli’s face graced the screen.
The Life of Chuck is a wild ride. It starts out feeling like we’re all just tiny specks in a universe that’s falling apart. But then, it takes a surprising turn, showing us that even the smallest lives are filled with amazing stories. It’s typical Mike Flanagan: using big metaphors to talk about small things. Sure, he can get a bit sentimental, but that actually works really well in this case. It makes the whole thing feel more real and relatable. The bittersweet moments are expertly crafted, allowing joy and sorrow to coexist seamlessly. The film captures the essence of life’s fleeting beauty—a reminder to live in the present, to dance regardless of who’s watching, and to embrace the preciousness of every moment. It’s certainly a refreshing change of pace for Flanagan and some of his best work yet. He has crafted a masterpiece that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. It’s a testament to his talent and a fitting tribute to the enduring power of Stephen King’s storytelling. Prepare to walk out feeling both a profound sense of loss and a renewed appreciation for life.
The Life of Chuck held its World Premiere as part of the Special Presentations section at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
Director: Mike Flanagan
Writer: Mike Flanagan
Rated: NR
Runtime: 110m
The Life of Chuck is a wild ride. It starts out feeling like we're all just tiny specks in a universe that's falling apart. But then, it takes a surprising turn, showing us that even the smallest lives are filled with amazing stories. It's typical Mike Flanagan: using big metaphors to talk about small things.
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