#REVIEW: “THE LIFE OF CHUCK”

By Mr. Will Wong

Based on Stephen King‘s 2020 Novella of the same name, Mike Flanagan expands this short story into five acts and just under two hours, writing and directing this Feature and one of the year’s early Oscar contenders.  It already is off to a big start, taking the TIFF ’24 People’s Choice Award, being patiently handled now for a summer release.

The world is about to end. California after a devastating earthquake, is about to go under entirely and sinkholes are swallowing people up. Things are so tough that some are opting to end their lives on their own terms, and it’s easier to stay married than get divorced.  Mysterious signs begin appearing around town celebrating a man named “Chuck“.  Why with access to telecommunications ceasing and the world on fire, are people celebrating “39 great years of Chuck”  in these times of despair?

Split into five acts, we first meet Marty (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a teacher who is looking to reconcile with his ex-wife. Realizing that time is running out, he must make his way to her. A major celestial event is about to open as the town is overtaken by projections of Chuck.  We go back in time in reverse chronology to understand who this enigmatic Chuck is.

We meet an adult Chuck (Hiddleston) who one day while walking, is compelled to dance on the street to a busking drummer (Taylor Gordon), pulling-in Janice (Annalise Basso) who just got dumped over text by her boyfriend. But what compelled him to do this random act? His dancing not only himself pure elation, it also draws in a crowd, re-awakening feelings of what his life could have been if he didn’t go the conservative route.

More answers come as the story progresses and we meet Chuck in his childhood, played by Benjamin Pajak in his grade school years, and Jacob Tremblay in his teen years. We learn that Chuck is orphaned at a young age, raised by his grandparents, played by Mark Hamill and Mia Sara. Chuck is told to stay away from the attic of their Victorian home at all costs, his grandfather protecting him from whatever is up there at all costs.

While we know Flanagan mostly for his work in Horror (Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Hill House), he ventures into something that is heartwarming and uplifting, yet containing that undertone of something dark in this Sci-Fi-Drama. Flanagan utilizes his skills as a master of suspense, incorporating it into the more supernatural, mysterious elements of the Film.  THE LIFE OF CHUCK asks the question if we knew we had only a limited time here, what really matters most in our legacies?  Flanagan manages to take on mortality in a way that is affecting and without a false note to be found. Some of the emotions felt in the Film if the world being in an utter state of chaos, feel like an echo of the world we are in today, hence its release now feels even more poignant.

While Hiddleston is captivating in the short time he is seen on-screen, the Film’s true star actually is the youngest version of Chuck, who is effervescent navigating the difficult cards he’s been dealt.  It is a thing of beauty seeing him come of age and begin to discover himself through dance.  This is a tremendous performance and we cannot wait to see more from this brilliant young talent.  Hamill as Albie, Chuck‘s alcoholic grandfather is impactful, feeling deeply resonant. Flanagan fans also will take joy in seeing some of his regulars including Rahul Kohli, Samantha Sloyan, and his real-life partner Kate Siegel in supporting roles.

Elevation Pictures release THE LIFE OF CHUCK in theatres Friday, June 13, 2025, posing the question if both Mike Flanagan and Stephen King‘s best and most meaningful work, actually not a Horror?