The Life of Chuck (2025) - Film Review

      The Life of Chuck, 2025.

      Written and Directed by Mike Flanagan.

      Featuring Tom Hiddleston, Matthew Lillard, Karen Gillan, Mark Hamill, David Dastmalchian, Annalise Basso, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Siegel, Mia Sara, Samantha Sloyan, Carl Lumbly, Rahul Kohli, Harvey Guillén, Jacob Tremblay, Nick Offerman, Heather Langenkamp, Molly C. Quinn, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Q’orianka Kilcher, Antonio Raul Garcia, Matt Biedel, Sauriyan Sapkota, Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Michael Trucco, Violet McGraw, Benjamin Pajak, Taylor Gordon, Carla Gugino, Scott Wampler, Eric Vespe, Hamish Linklater, Cody Flanagan, Lauren LaVera, and Mike Flanagan.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A life-affirming, genre-blending narrative based on Stephen King’s novella that delves into three chapters of the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz.

      Understanding life is often easier when viewed in reverse. In The Life of Chuck, the renowned author Stephen King and writer/director Mike Flanagan, known for adapting his works, seem to embrace this idea. The story unfolds in three acts, beginning from the end, and follows Charles "Chuck" Krantz (portrayed through different stages of his life by rising star Benjamin Pajak, Jacob Tremblay from Room, and Tom Hiddleston, who appears to have briefly stepped away from his Marvel commitments). Initially, he is depicted as a mysterious figure in a world grappling with something akin to a contemporary version of the bubonic plague.

      In addition to the havoc wreaked by climate change, with forest fires and earthquakes, Wi-Fi connections have completely failed. The world also feels off in a cosmic way, vividly captured through stunning visuals of neon-colored stars. Just as the reality of this world is fractured, so too is the universe, with some stars seemingly plucked from the sky. Billboards, radio spots, TV ads, and even skywriting express gratitude to Chuck for 39 years of service, the significance of which remains unclear.

      Multiple characters are introduced as they discuss this apocalyptic scenario (which serves as a fitting backdrop for Mike Flanagan to include cameos from his regular collaborators, including his wife and the late Scott Wampler, a cherished podcast partner and beloved satirist – be sure to check out his interview with Rian Johnson if you haven't already). Physics teacher Marty Anderson (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is given the most focus among these characters, attempting to find logic in the chaos while navigating these grim circumstances, using the situation as an opportunity to reconnect with an ex-partner, Felicia Gordon (Karen Gillan), with whom he maintains a friendly relationship.

      One might wonder what all of this has to do with Chuck. The answer is everything. Chuck is presented as terminally ill, reflecting existentially on his life guided by a narration from Nick Offerman. Consequently, the story revisits Chuck’s life, uncovering tragedy, lost dreams, and romance. Thus, the third act, focused on a young Chuck, primarily bridges the elements set forth in the initial acts. However, it also means the film has limited compelling directions from that point forward. It disappointingly distances itself from a contemporary interpretation of the plague, opting instead for extended monologues and significant scenes (centered on the purpose of life) that Mike Flanagan has made a trademark in various Netflix horror series. That said, these elements do resonate well in this context.

      Mark Hamill (as Chuck’s grandfather) and Mia Sara (as Chuck’s grandmother) impart heartfelt wisdom regarding life choices. Chiwetel Ejiofor articulates the universe as a calendar year, hauntingly conveying how brief our existence is. At times, monologues give way to dazzling dance sequences; one is exuberantly performed by Tom Hiddleston alongside an unexpected dance partner (Annalise Basso), set to vibrant street drumming (Taylor Gordon), and another occurs at a school dance.

      Ultimately, this serves as a reminder that even sentimental melodrama can be impactful when supported by a credible script, authenticity, and relatable characters. A film that transitions rapidly from one life-altering event to another shouldn't work, yet it succeeds because Mike Flanagan and the cast convey emotional sincerity while genuinely delivering uplifting messages about life, ensuring an enlightening two-hour experience for viewers.

      Nevertheless, there’s an underlying feeling that as The Life of Chuck progresses, it trades cosmic enigmas and an innovative interpretation of the apocalypse for a sequence of dramatic tropes connecting Chuck’s life through a look back into the past. The heartfelt material remains present, and telling the story chronologically would serve little purpose. However,