The Life Of Chuck ★★★★

Released: 20th August 2025

Director: Mike Flanagan

Starring: Tom HIddleston, Jacob Tremblay, Chiwetal Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Mark Hamill and Mia Sara

“I am wonderful. I deserve to be wonderful. And I contain multitudes.”

Stephen King adaptations have long been a staple of film and television, thanks to the depth and breadth of his writing, which masterfully blends the supernatural with everyday anxieties and relatable human experiences. Though often crowned the “King of Horror”, his work spans a multitude of genres, from crime and science fiction to fantasy and mystery, with the short story The Life of Chuck (from the novella If It Bleeds) landing somewhere in between. And who better to bring this to the big screen than Mike Flanagan, whose poignant, heartfelt horror series such as The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, along with acclaimed film adaptations of Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep, makes for the ideal match.


The Life of Chuck centres on, well, the life of Charles “Chuck” Krantz. From childhood to adulthood, we follow his journey through the heartbreak of loss – his parents died in a car accident when he was young, and he was raised by his grandparents – the wonder of life (and plenty of dancing), and the idea that we all contain multitudes within us. The film, however, opens on a far more sombre note, with divorced teacher Marty (Chiwetel Ejiofor) navigating parent-teacher meetings amidst what seems to be the beginning of the end of the world. Amid the chaos, he reconnects with his ex-wife Felicia (Karen Gillan) as environmental disasters cascade, the internet keeps cutting out, and mysterious banners and adverts appear across town proclaiming: “Thanks, Chuck! For 39 Great Years.”


Told in three distinct acts within a non-linear structure, this heartfelt, genre-bending tale sits among the gentler of King’s stories. If anything, it’s one of the more hopeful – despite its surprisingly existential and bleak opening act. Through Chuck’s life (portrayed by Jacob Tremblay, Benjamin Pajak and Tom Hiddleston), King and Flanagan explore the power of connection, the small moments of wonder, and life’s simple joys. For Chuck, that joy is dancing. Whether at the after-school “twirlers and spinners” club or spontaneously breaking into dance with a drumming busker on a sunny downtown street, his verve is infectious – thanks in no small part to the encouragement of his grandmother (a radiant Mia Sara).

And yet, a supernatural mystery lurks in the wings, as his grandfather (Hamill) forbids Chuck from ever entering the locked cupola of their Victorian home. The reason? It’s supposedly haunted by ghosts. This serves as a stark reminder that amidst life’s wonders, the inevitable truth remains: everything eventually ends. Much like The Monkey, the certainty of death is ever-present, particularly through the interjections of the film’s narrator (Nick Offerman), but it is up to us how we choose to spend the precious time we have left on earth.

How much you connect with The Life of Chuck will largely depend on your tolerance for emotionally “profound” musings on the cosmos – sometimes straying into sentimentality – and Flanagan’s penchant for existential monologues. The film will either leave you wiping away tears or scratching your head in mild confusion as the credits roll. If it’s the latter, it may be down to the non-linear, time-hopping structure, which doesn’t quite land – particularly as we don’t spend enough time with adult Chuck to build a stronger emotional connection with the titular character.

The film introduces a number of intriguing ideas and themes, but some feel underdeveloped. None more so than the supernatural and surreal elements, which feel somewhat of an afterthought almost tacked on to remind you that this is, after all, a King adaptation. It’s certainly an intriguing, if tonally jarring, concept, but one that never quite fulfils its potential. In fact, we could have used more of it, especially as it helps to tie the three acts together. Instead, the tonal shifts between each section leave The Life of Chuck feeling more like a “vibes movie” than a truly interwoven narrative – which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. As in life, it’s less about the destination than the journey and the experience.

For all its potential shortcomings, The Life of Chuck has plenty of strengths. The performances are excellent across the board – particularly Tremblay, Hamill and Krantz during Chuck’s early years, and the deeply moving turns from Ejiofor and Gillan. As mentioned, Hiddleston shines in the standout sequence, dancing his heart out in a moment that will undoubtedly leave audiences beaming. Tremblay’s own choreographed scenes are equally delightful, especially the high school dance. Visually, the film is exquisitely shot, carrying an almost timeless quality.

Flanagan fans will also be pleased that regular collaborators Rahul Kohli and Kate Siegel also pop up, along with brief but strong performances from David Dastmalchian, Carl Lumbly, Harvey Guillén and Matthew Lillard.

Existentialist yet deeply human, The Life of Chuck offers moving – if occasionally overly sentimental – musings from Flanagan and King. While the whole may not fully cohere, its impact is undeniable: a poignant, life-affirming reminder to savour life’s fleeting, joyful moments. Keep dancing, and never let your spark fade.