Experience THE LIFE OF CHUCK

THE LIFE OF CHUCK (Blu-ray)

2025 / 111 min

Neon/Decal Releasing

Review by Princess Pepper😻

Considering Stephen King’s reputation, it’s ironic that the best adaptations of his work have generally been those that aren’t horror stories. Maybe that’s because, while certainly good at scaring the pants off of you, he might be even better at creating vivid, authentic characters, the kind that good filmmakers love to sink their teeth into. 

And considering director Mike Flanagan’s reputation, it’s also ironic that The Life of Chuck is his best film, though maybe not too surprising. Sure, he’s mostly known for horror, but the best parts of his two previous King adaptations (Gerald’s Game & Doctor Sleep) were their character driven moments. And because Flanagan himself wrote or co-wrote those screenplays, he does more than simply pull exposition from the books…he seems personally invested in these people.

The Life of Chuck is entirely driven by its characters, with a premise and plot that defy genre classification. Like the King novella, it consists of three acts presented in reverse chronological order, which isn't some kind of narrative stunt either. If told chronologically, the story would have lost all of its impact. Instead, this might be the most emotionally affecting Stephen King movie since The Shawshank Redemption (though not always the most uplifting).

“Act III: Thanks, Chuck” sees the world apparently coming to an end, as experienced through middle school teacher Marty Anderson (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and his ex-wife, Felicia Gordon (Karen Gillan). Little by little, everything simply seems to be sort-of shutting down, both societally and physically. While no explanation is offered, the apocalypse has something to do with a guy named Chuck (Tom Hiddleston), whose face appears everywhere - billboards, windows, television - though nobody knows who he is.

We’re actually introduced to Chuck in “Act II: Buskers Forever.” He’s a 39 year old accountant who - as Nick Offerman’s narration informs us - is less than a year away from dying of cancer, though Chuck is currently unaware of this. While walking down the street, he comes across street drummer Taylor Franck (Taylor Gordon), drops his briefcase and spontaneously begins dancing to the beat she's laying down. The scene turns into a full-blown dance number as he’s joined by a stranger, Janice (Annalese Basso), and the two attract an enthusiastic crowd. Viewed out of context, it’s the most joyous and charming sequence in the entire film…

"He followed me home. Can we keep him?"

…but its narrative significance becomes clear during “Act I: I Contain Multitudes," where Chuck’s childhood is revealed. After his parents are killed in a car crash, he’s raised by his grandparents, Sarah (Mia Sara) and Albie (Mark Hamill), both of whom have a huge impact on his life. Sarah instills him with a love for dancing, while Albie - though he drinks too much - stresses the importance of mastering mathematics, as well as warning Chuck never to unlock the cupola upstairs. 

But the singular moment in his young life occurs in middle school, a conversation with his teacher, Miss Richards (Kate Siegel, Flanagan’s wife, BTW) about a Whitman poem that turns out to be the crux of the entire narrative. To elaborate further would be a disservice, as would hinting at the thread that ultimately ties all three acts together. Based on one of the few King stories I actually haven’t read, I knew nothing about The Life of Chuck beyond the title, so going into it completely cold turned out to be a great experience and full of surprises. By turns, the film is eerie, ominous, whimsical, bittersweet, rousing, surreal, sentimental, poignant and ultimately inspirational. 

Flanagan masterfully moves from one key moment in Chuck’s life to the next, with nearly every story & character development vital to the overall narrative, but waiting until the opportune time to reveal their significance. He’s greatly helped by a terrific ensemble cast, all of whom deliver earnest, engaging performances. The big surprise might be Mark Hamill. We all know who he is, of course, but this might be the first time I’ve ever seen him completely disappear into his character, where I didn’t immediately go, “Hey, it’s Mark Hamill.” 

By the end credits, I was drained…in a good way. The Life of Chuck is the kind of movie that emotionally grabs you and doesn’t let go until the haunting denouement, which could either be seen as depressing or life-affirming (I choose the latter). Either way, it’s a unique film and one of the best of 2025.

EXTRA KIBBLES

MAKING-OF FEATURETTE

ON-SET INTERVIEWS - Individual interviews with actors Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mark Hamill.

AUDIO COMMENTARY - By writer-director Mike Flanagan.

TRAILER & TEASER TRAILER

“HEART” & “MULTITUDES” - These are also essentially teaser trailers.