A story that sits with you long after the credits end, The Life of Chuck is moving, thoughtful, and delivers just the right amount of hope the world desperately needs right now.
The Life of Chuck Review
When I first heard about Mike Flanagan's take on Stephen King's The Life Of Chuck I knew I had to see it. Coming out of the Toronto International Film Festival, everyone was raving about how heartwarming, profound, and tear-inducing it was. So when it was finally time for me to screen it I had a feeling I might cry. A movie about the intricate and mysterious ways our lives coincide with others' and Walt Whitman's “I contain multitudes” at its center? Flanagan could have very easily tried to force sentimentality through editing or overly emotional dialogue. Instead he allowed the film to wear its heart on its sleeve, pouring out empathy to the audience, only asking for them to have a little hope for the present and future in return. The result is one of the most thoughtful philosophical films out there.
The Life of Chuck can be described in many different ways. It's insightful, heartwarming, funny yet sad, but above all it's impactful and moving in a way that we rarely see these days at the movies. This is a film that is complex yet simple with Flanagan allowing the pieces to unfold in a way that makes the entire experience richer and more provoking. It's a beautiful thesis on the moments that make up a life. A stellar ensemble cast gives it their all, with Tom Hiddleston‘s Chuck standing in the center, leaving a lasting impression whether he is on screen or not.
Like the book, The Life of Chuck is split into 3 chapters and begins at the end. “Chapter 3” finds Marty Anderson (Chiwetel Ejiofor), his ex-wife Felicia (Karen Gillan), and several others noticing billboards in their small town thanking Chuck Krantz (Hiddleston) for 39 great years. None of them know who Chuck is or what he's done for 39 years. As they attempt to figure it out, their world is quite literally ending. Even as the stars disappear forever, the eery (but cheerful) message and strange projections of Chuck remain. In “Chapter 2,” Chuck happens to encounter a drummer (Taylor Gordon) on the street whose music inspires him to dance. He is joined by a young woman (Annalise Basso) and together they draw a crowd with their infectious joy. Finally the film moves to “Chapter 1,” and the beginning of Chuck's story. After losing his parents in a car accident, a young Chuck (Cody Flanagan) goes to live with his grandparents Sarah (Mia Sara) and Albie (Mark Hamill). We watch as he grows into a teen (Benjamin Pajak and finally Jacob Tremblay), learning life lessons along the way. However, there is a big mystery in the house (in true King fashion it's tinged in the supernatural). Albie repeatedly warns Chuck to never go into the attic, because you could see the deaths of those closest to you or even yourself.
Starting at the end of Chuck's life might seem an odd move but, like the novel, is the perfect way to tell this story. It gives us insight into this man and makes us curious to learn more. I will fully admit I hadn't read the book nor did I go searching for what to expect, wanting to be fully immersed in whatever Flanagan had planned for me. At first, I sat there thinking this is overly depressing. The world is ending and it was hard to not draw parallels to our own reality. But I was willing to hear them out and my curiosity was peaked regardless. Once the second act got rolling, the pieces began to fit in place for me and the overall picture was emerging. I was no longer sad but thoroughly invested to see how everything would come together and what exactly they were trying to say about life.
Throughout the film, characters wax poetic about Walt Whitman, the cosmos, and even math. The universe is large and we are but a small piece of it, yet it can also feel incredibly small when we turn our sights inward and to those in our immediate orbit. Life is many things. It's sweet, sour, light, dark, full of love at one moment and sorrow in the next, yet each of these things coexist, taking center stage in our stories when the occasions call for them. Despite conveying various emotions, including ones that contradict each other (that is how life is after all), The Life of Chuck never loses track of its message. Flanagan balances the harsh reality of death with the innocent excitement of life. Though things do end there is peace to be found if you're open to receiving it.
Each member of the cast elevates the film in their own way. Hamill gives Albie the right amount of loving grouch while Ejiofor and Gillan subtly convey the complex feelings that would come if you were watching your world end in real time. The younger versions of Chuck – Pajak and Tremblay – are fantastic, with their inquisitive natures and playful attitudes. Hiddleston is terrific, giving Chuck equal amounts of wonder, whimsy, and sadness. His spontaneous dance number with Basso is a key moment, where some of the film's mysteries become clear.
Verdict
The Life of Chuck is an insightful, heartwarming, impactful, and moving story about life. It's one of those films that is worth a rewatch to uncover the hidden clues and emotions that were missed the first time. Despite the fact it may come across as heavy material, Flanagan keeps things moving with funny moments, sci-fi elements, and even a little horror (this is a King adaptation after all). The story, much like a life, weaves together instances of joy, sorrow, anger, and love, with that last one being the solid cord that binds it all together. It's the epitome of sentimental, but never in a corny or Home Goods throw pillow kind of way. The Life of Chuck speaks to life, death, and the grief we feel when faced with the latter. So did I cry? Not at first. But after I had time to sit with my thoughts and really appreciate what Flanagan and his team did, I found myself with some tears in my eyes. This is easily one of the best films of the year.
The Life of Chuck opens in select theaters on June 6, 2025, and wide on June 13, 2025.
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