The Life of Chuck#Cast
{{Short description|2025 film by Mike Flanagan}}
{{About|the film|the novella|If It Bleeds#"The Life of Chuck"{{!}}If It Bleeds § "The Life of Chuck"}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| image = The Life of Chuck official poster.jpeg
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Mike Flanagan
| screenplay = Mike Flanagan
| based_on = {{Based on|"The Life of Chuck"|Stephen King}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Mike Flanagan
- Trevor Macy
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Tom Hiddleston
- Chiwetel Ejiofor
- Karen Gillan
- Mia Sara
- Carl Lumbly
- Benjamin Pajak
- Jacob Tremblay
- Mark Hamill
}}
| cinematography = Eben Bolter
| editing = Mike Flanagan
| music = The Newton Brothers
| studio = {{Plainlist|
- Intrepid Pictures
- Red Room Pictures
- QWGmire
- FilmNation Entertainment
}}
| distributor = Neon
| released = {{film date|2024|9|6|TIFF|2025|6|6|United States}}
| runtime = 111 minutes{{Cite web |date=March 28, 2025 |title=The Life of Chuck (2025) |url=https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/C789FF83004600C5 |access-date=2025-04-16 |website=Irish Film Classification Office |language=en}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget =
| gross = $10 million{{Cite web |title= The Life of Chuck |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl4207640577/?ref_=bo_da_table_16|website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=July 11, 2025}}{{Cite web |title= The Life of Chuck – Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Life-of-Chuck-The-(2025)#tab=summary|website=The Numbers |access-date=July 11, 2025}}
}}
The Life of Chuck is a 2024 American fantasy drama film written and directed by Mike Flanagan. It is based on the novella of the same name by Stephen King, which was published in his 2020 compilation book If It Bleeds. The film stars Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Mia Sara, Carl Lumbly, Benjamin Pajak, Jacob Tremblay, and Mark Hamill, with narration by Nick Offerman. Its plot follows the formative moments in the life of Charles "Chuck" Krantz, chronicled in reverse chronological order, from his death coinciding with the end of the universe to his childhood.
The Life of Chuck had its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2024, where it won the People's Choice Award, and was released in select theaters in the United States by Neon on June 6, 2025, before expanding nationwide on June 13.
Plot summary
{{Hatnote|The film is shown in reverse chronology, with the film split into three acts.}}
= Act Three: Thanks, Chuck =
Middle school teacher Marty Anderson notes several unusual things happening around the world, from natural disasters to the worldwide loss of the internet. Several billboards and advertisements popping up everywhere display the picture of an accountant named Charles "Chuck" Krantz, with the words "Charles Krantz: 39 Great Years! Thanks, Chuck!" Marty's ex-wife Felicia Gordon calls him and they ponder if the end of the universe is upon them. Both of them begin seeing more disasters and supernatural occurrences. After losing telephone service and electricity, Marty goes to Felicia's home so they can stay with one another in the universe's final moments, watching as the stars quickly vanish.
The end of the universe is revealed to be connected to 39-year-old Chuck, who is bedridden in a hospital while dying from a brain tumor. He is accompanied by his wife Ginny and his son Brian. Chuck passes away as Ginny tells him, "39 great years. Thanks, Chuck." Meanwhile, Marty tells Felicia, "I love you," just as the universe abruptly ends.
= Act Two: Buskers Forever =
Nine months before his death, Chuck is attending a banking conference. While walking outside, he stumbles upon a busking drummer named Taylor, who sees Chuck and begins drumming for him. He is moved to dance on the spot, attracting a crowd. Janice Halliday, a young woman who had been dumped by her boyfriend via text, joins Chuck and they dance together, although Chuck is momentarily hampered by a headache before continuing on to the crowd's joy.
Chuck and Janice help Taylor pack up and the three split the profits at Taylor's insistence. Chuck admits he is unsure why he decided to dance as soon as he heard Taylor's playing. Taylor suggests they form a traveling troupe, but Chuck and Janice decline and the three part ways with a hug. Chuck resumes his day, still pondering why he danced, but in the coming months as his health declines, he has the feeling that God made the world just for that moment.
= Act One: I Contain Multitudes =
As a young child, Chuck loses his father and pregnant mother in a car accident. He then lives with his paternal grandparents Albie and Sarah. The bright Sarah teaches Chuck how to enjoy dancing, while the sardonic Albie turns to alcohol after his son's death, and forbids Chuck to enter their house's cupola, hinting that he had seen the ghosts of people there before they died. At school, Chuck asks his idealistic teacher Ms. Richards the meaning of the phrase "I contain multitudes" from the Walt Whitman poem "Song of Myself." Richards explains to Chuck that he contains multitudes, with the memories he gains over the course his life forming a universe in his head.
Sarah dies after collapsing in a supermarket, worsening Albie's alcoholism. Inspired by his grandmother, Chuck joins his school's dance extracurricular program "Twirlers and Spinners", where he emerges as the best dancer of the club and teaches them how to moonwalk. He has a crush on Cat McCoy, an older and taller girl who is frequently partnered with Chuck. Despite having a boyfriend, Cat asks Chuck to share a dance at their school's Fall Fling. Chuck expresses his interest in pursuing dance to his grandfather, but Albie dismisses him and instead encourages him to be an accountant like him, sharing how math is seen in and necessary in everything. At the Fall Fling, Chuck is hesitant at first, but decides to let loose and dances with Cat in front of the large crowd, earning cheers from everyone including Marty and Felicia, with the former revealed to be a teacher at Chuck's school. After being kissed by Cat, Chuck dances by himself outside in the school field, but he injures his hand in the process which forms a scar.
Years later, Albie dies, leaving the teenaged Chuck to inherit everything including their house. His maternal grandparents from Omaha travel to stay with him until he goes off to college. Now in possession of the cupola's key, Chuck finally decides to enter the cupola and sees an apparition of himself in his deathbed as an adult, which he identifies through his scar. Despite this, Chuck dismisses his vision and promises to live life to the fullest, saying, "I am wonderful, I deserve to be wonderful, and I contain multitudes."
Cast
{{div col}}
- Tom Hiddleston as Charles "Chuck" Krantz, an accountant who grows up loving dancing.
- Jacob Tremblay as 17-year-old Chuck
- Benjamin Pajak as 11-year-old Chuck
- Cody Flanagan as 7-year-old Chuck
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as Marty Anderson, a high school teacher and Felicia's ex-husband
- Karen Gillan as Felicia Gordon, a nurse and Marty's ex-wife
- Mark Hamill as Albie Krantz, Chuck's "zayde" or paternal grandfather who is also an accountant
- Nick Offerman as the voice of the Narrator
- Mia Sara as Sarah Krantz, Chuck's "bubbe" or paternal grandmother who inspires Chuck's love for dance
- Annalise Basso as Janice Halliday, a young woman recovering from a breakup who briefly becomes Chuck's dance partner
- Taylor Gordon as Taylor, a street drummer and busker
- Carl Lumbly as Sam Yarbrough, an elderly mortician Marty encounters, later revealed to be the mortician at Albie's funeral
- Kate Siegel as Miss Richards, an idealistic teacher from Marty's school
- Samantha Sloyan as Miss Rohrbacher, the head teacher of "Twirlers and Spinners", the dance program of Chuck's school
- Trinity Bliss as Cat McCoy, a girl who Chuck has a crush on and is his frequent partner at their dance club
- Matthew Lillard as Gus Wilfong, Marty's neighbor
- Rahul Kohli as Bri, Felicia's colleague at the hospital they work in
- Heather Langenkamp as Vera, the neighbor of the Krantz family
- Violet McGraw as Iris, a young girl Marty encounters while traveling to Felicia's home
- David Dastmalchian as Josh, a single father grieving his wife leaving him
- Harvey Guillén as Hector, a parent of one of Marty's students
- Q'orianka Kilcher as Ginny Krantz, Chuck's wife and Brian's mother
- Antonio Raul Corbo as Brian Krantz, Chuck's teenage son
- Molly C. Quinn as Chuck's mother, who was pregnant when she died
- Michael Trucco as Dylan's dad
- Matt Biedel as Dr. Winston
- Hamish Linklater as American reporter (voice)
- Lauren LaVera as Italian reporter (voice)
- Carla Gugino as television voiceover
- Sauriyan Sapkota as Ram
- Saidah Arrika Ekulona as Andrea
- Scott Wampler as Radio Host #2
- Mike Flanagan as a mourner at Sarah's funeral
{{div col end}}
Production
In July 2020, Stephen King's novella "The Life of Chuck" was optioned by Darren Aronofsky's production company, Protozoa Pictures.{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/stephen-king-novella-if-it-bleeds-netflix-john-lee-hancock-jason-blum-ryan-murphy-ben-stiller-darren-aronofsky-1202982769/|title=Stephen King Novella 'If It Bleeds' Draws Movie Deals From Netflix & John Lee Hancock/Jason Blum/Ryan Murphy, Two Others From Ben Stiller And Darren Aronofsky|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=July 10, 2020|access-date=July 10, 2020|archive-date=June 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606223919/https://deadline.com/2020/07/stephen-king-novella-if-it-bleeds-netflix-john-lee-hancock-jason-blum-ryan-murphy-ben-stiller-darren-aronofsky-1202982769/|url-status=live}} However, in May 2023, it was announced director Mike Flanagan would adapt the story, with Tom Hiddleston and Mark Hamill set to star and with Protozoa no longer involved. Flanagan had previously helmed adaptations of King's novels including Gerald's Game (2017) and Doctor Sleep (2019).{{Cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |date=May 8, 2023 |title=Tom Hiddleston & Mark Hamill to Star in Stephen King Adaptation The Life of Chuck for Director Mike Flanagan; FilmNation Launches Hot Project for Cannes Market |url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/stephen-king-tom-hiddleston-mark-hamill-life-chuck-mike-flanagan-cannes-1235359841/ |access-date=9 May 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=May 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513192057/https://deadline.com/2023/05/stephen-king-tom-hiddleston-mark-hamill-life-chuck-mike-flanagan-cannes-1235359841/ |url-status=live }}
=Filming=
Filming began in Alabama in October 2023, during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, under a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement. Deadline Hollywood reported Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan and Jacob Tremblay had been added to the cast.{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=October 23, 2023 |title=The Life of Chuck: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan & Jacob Tremblay Join Stephen King Adaptation from Mike Flanagan |url=https://deadline.com/2023/10/the-life-of-chuck-movie-chiwetel-ejiofor-karen-gillan-jacob-tremblay-1235580724/ |access-date=23 October 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=October 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023180733/https://deadline.com/2023/10/the-life-of-chuck-movie-chiwetel-ejiofor-karen-gillan-jacob-tremblay-1235580724/ |url-status=live }} Flanagan announced the full cast on his social media a few days later.{{Cite web |last=Wampler |first=Scott |date=October 25, 2023 |title=Matthew Lillard (And a Million Other People) Just Joined the Cast of The Life of Chuck |url=https://www.fangoria.com/original/the-life-of-chuck-cast-mike-flanagan-stephen-king/ |access-date=25 October 2023 |website=Fangoria |archive-date=October 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025171207/https://www.fangoria.com/original/the-life-of-chuck-cast-mike-flanagan-stephen-king/ |url-status=live }} Filming wrapped on November 16, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Schreur |first=Brandon |date=2023-11-17 |title=Mike Flanagan Provides The Life of Chuck Update as Stephen King Movie Wraps Production |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1407034-mike-flanagan-provides-the-life-of-chuck-update-as-stephen-king-movie-wraps-production |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=ComingSoon.net |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117202504/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1407034-mike-flanagan-provides-the-life-of-chuck-update-as-stephen-king-movie-wraps-production |url-status=live }}
In December 2023, it was revealed that Flanagan would also serve as editor, as he had done in his previous films.{{Cite web |last=Cotter |first=Padraig |date=December 2, 2023 |title=New Stephen King Movie Returns Mike Flanagan To 1 Important Role Missing From His Last 6 Horror Films |url=https://screenrant.com/mike-flanagan-life-chuck-movie-producer-role-return/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |website=Screen Rant |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212190216/https://screenrant.com/mike-flanagan-life-chuck-movie-producer-role-return/ |url-status=live }} In April 2024, the Newton Brothers, frequent collaborators of Flanagan, were announced to be serving as composers.{{cite web |author1=filmmusicreporter |title=The Newton Brothers Scoring Mike Flanagan's 'The Life of Chuck' |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/04/09/the-newton-brothers-scoring-mike-flanagans-the-life-of-chuck/ |website=Film Music Reporter |access-date=26 May 2024 |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709115356/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2024/04/09/the-newton-brothers-scoring-mike-flanagans-the-life-of-chuck/ |url-status=live }}
Release
The Life of Chuck premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2024.{{cite web |first=Jeremy |last=Kay |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/toronto-world-premieres-to-include-nightbitch-elton-john-doc-the-wild-robot/5194619.article |title=Toronto film festival world premieres to include 'Nightbitch', Elton John doc, 'The Wild Robot' |website=Screen Daily |date=June 18, 2024 |access-date=June 18, 2024 |archive-date=June 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240618150911/https://www.screendaily.com/news/toronto-world-premieres-to-include-nightbitch-elton-john-doc-the-wild-robot/5194619.article |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://tiff.net/events/the-life-of-chuck |title=The Life of Chuck |website=Toronto International Film Festival |access-date=August 15, 2024 |archive-date=September 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915222529/https://tiff.net/events/the-life-of-chuck |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/life-of-chuck-tom-hiddleston-stephen-king-mike-flanagan |title=The Life of Chuck: The Feel-Good Stephen King Apocalypse Movie |website=Vanity Fair |first=Anthony |last=Breznican |date=September 3, 2024 |access-date=September 3, 2024}} Later that month Neon acquired its North American distribution rights for a summer 2025 theatrical release.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/life-of-chuck-sells-tiff-audience-award-1236144602/|title='The Life of Chuck' Sells to Neon After Winning TIFF's Audience Award (EXCLUSIVE)|website=Variety|first=Rebecca|last=Rubin|date=September 26, 2024|access-date=September 26, 2024}} The film was released in select theaters in the United States on June 6, 2025, before expanding nationwide on June 13.{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/life-of-chuck-stephen-king-movie-release-date-revealed/|title=Mike Flanagan's Newest Stephen King Movie Life Of Chuck Sets 2025 Release Date|website=Screen Rant|first=Matthew|last=Rudoy|date=December 2, 2024|access-date=December 3, 2024}}{{cite web|last1=Eriksen|first1=Kaare|url=https://variety.com/vip/3-theatrical-film-slates-to-watch-2025-disney-warner-bros-neon-1236269185/|title=3 Theatrical Film Slates to Watch in the Year Ahead|website=Variety|access-date=19 January 2025|date=8 January 2025|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110153518/https://variety.com/vip/3-theatrical-film-slates-to-watch-2025-disney-warner-bros-neon-1236269185/ |archive-date=10 January 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3864177/the-life-of-chuck-trailer-mike-flanagan-crafts-a-life-affirming-stephen-king-adaptation/|title='The Life of Chuck' Trailer – Mike Flanagan Crafts a Life-Affirming Stephen King Adaptation|first=Alex|last=DiVincenzo|website=Bloody Disgusting|date=April 15, 2025|access-date=April 15, 2025}}
Reception
= Critical response=
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|81|3=209|4=Showing a sweeter side of director Mike Flanagan's deeply-felt emotional register, The Life of Chuck is a buoyant and often wonderful adaptation of one of Stephen King's more cosmically optimistic tales.|ref=yes|access-date=June 23, 2025}} {{Mc film|67|39|ref=yes|access-date=June 18, 2025}}
=Accolades=
At the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, the film was the winner of the People's Choice Award.{{cite web |first=Rebecca |last=Rubin |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/festivals/toronto-film-festival-peoples-choice-award-life-of-chuck-1236144461/ |title=Tom Hiddleston's 'The Life of Chuck' Wins Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award |website=Variety |date=September 15, 2024 |access-date=September 15, 2024}}
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" |Award ! scope="col" |Date of ceremony ! scope="col" |Category ! scope="col" |Recipient(s) !Result ! class="unsortable" scope="col" |{{Refh}} |
| scope="row" | Toronto International Film Festival
| rowspan="2" |The Life of Chuck |{{Won}} |
|---|
| rowspan="4" scope="rowgroup" |Astra Midseason Movie Awards
| rowspan="4" |July 3, 2025 |Best Picture |{{Runner-up}} | rowspan="4" align="center"| {{Cite web |last=Neglia |first=Matt |date=2025-06-30 |title=The 2025 Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) Midseason Astra Award Nominations |url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2025-hollywood-creative-alliance-hca-midseason-astra-award-nominations/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Next Best Picture}} |
| Best Director
|{{Runner-up}} |
| Best Supporting Actor
|{{Runner-up}} |
| Best Screenplay
|Mike Flanagan |{{Runner-up}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|12908150}}
{{Media based on Stephen King works}}
{{Mike Flanagan}}
{{TIFF People's Choice Award}}
{{Portal bar|2020s|Film|United States|Speculative fiction|Science fiction}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Life of Chuck, The}}
Category:2020s English-language films
Category:2024 independent films
Category:2024 science fiction films
Category:American science fiction drama films
Category:English-language science fiction drama films
Category:Films based on novellas
Category:Films based on works by Stephen King
Category:Films directed by Mike Flanagan
Category:Films produced by Mike Flanagan
Category:Films scored by the Newton Brothers
Category:Films shot in Alabama
Category:Films with screenplays by Mike Flanagan
Category:Films set in the 1990s
Category:Intrepid Pictures films
Category:Toronto International Film Festival People's Choice Award winners