The Life of Chuck is a 2024 American science fiction drama film written and directed by Mike Flanagan. It is based on the 2020 novella by Stephen King. The film stars Tom Hiddleston and features Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Mark Hamill, Jacob Tremblay and Nick Offerman in supporting roles.
| The Life of Chuck | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Mike Flanagan |
| Screenplay by | Mike Flanagan |
| Based on | The Life of Chuck by Stephen King |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Narrated by | Nick Offerman |
| Cinematography | Eben Bolter |
| Edited by | Mike Flanagan |
| Music by | The Newton Brothers |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Neon |
Release date |
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Running time | 110 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
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. It will be released in the United States by Neon in 2025.
Cast
edit- Tom Hiddleston as Charles "Chuck" Krantz
- Jacob Tremblay as young Chuck
- Benjamin Pajak as young Chuck
- Cody Flanagan as young Chuck
- Nick Offerman as The Narrator
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as Marty Anderson
- Karen Gillan as Felicia Gordon
- Mark Hamill as Albie Krantz
- Mia Sara as Sarah Krantz
- Q'orianka Kilcher as Ginny Krantz
- Heather Langenkamp as Vera
- Samantha Sloyan as Miss Rohrbacher
- Kate Siegel as Miss Richards
- Matthew Lillard as Gus
- David Dastmalchian as a grieving father
- Harvey Guillén
- Annalise Basso as Janice Halliday
- Carl Lumbly as Sam Yarbrough
- Rahul Kohli as Bri
- Michael Trucco
- Molly C. Quinn as Chuck's mother
- Lauren LaVera
- Antonio Raul Corbo
- Trinity Bliss as Cat McCoy
- Violet McGraw as Lily
- Taylor Gordon as a street drummer
- Hamish Linklater as US Reporter
- Matt Biedel
- Sauriyan Sapkota
- Saidah Arrika Ekulona
- Scott Wampler
Production
editIn July 2020, Stephen King's novella The Life of Chuck was optioned by Darren Aronofsky's production company, Protozoa Pictures.[1] However, in May 2023, it was announced director Mike Flanagan would adapt the story, with Tom Hiddleston and Mark Hamill set to star. Flanagan had previously helmed adaptations of King's novels including Gerald's Game (2017) and Doctor Sleep (2019); the film was stated to match in tone King-based drama film adaptations such as Stand by Me (1986), The Shawshank Redemption (1994), and The Green Mile (1999).[2]
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.[3] Flanagan announced the full cast on his social media a few days later.[4] Filming wrapped on November 16, 2023.[5]
In December 2023, it was revealed that Flanagan would also serve as editor, as he had done in his previous films.[6] In April 2024, the Newton Brothers, frequent collaborators of Flanagan, were announced to be serving as composers.[7]
Release
editThe film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2024.[8][9][10] On September 26, it was announced that Neon had acquired the North American distribution rights for a summer 2025 theatrical release.[11]
Reception
editCritical response
editOn the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 85% of 40 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.4/10.[12] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 64 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[13]
Accolades
editAt the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, the film was the winner of the People's Choice Award,[14] often considered a precursor to success and nominations at the Academy Awards.[15][16]
References
edit- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 10, 2020). "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". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (May 8, 2023). "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". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (October 23, 2023). "The Life of Chuck: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan & Jacob Tremblay Join Stephen King Adaptation from Mike Flanagan". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
- ^ Wampler, Scott (October 25, 2023). "Matthew Lillard (And a Million Other People) Just Joined the Cast of The Life of Chuck". Fangoria. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ Schreur, Brandon (November 17, 2023). "Mike Flanagan Provides The Life of Chuck Update as Stephen King Movie Wraps Production". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ Cotter, Padraig (December 2, 2023). "New Stephen King Movie Returns Mike Flanagan To 1 Important Role Missing From His Last 6 Horror Films". Screen Rant. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ filmmusicreporter. "The Newton Brothers Scoring Mike Flanagan's 'The Life of Chuck'". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ Kay, Jeremy (June 18, 2024). "Toronto film festival world premieres to include 'Nightbitch', Elton John doc, 'The Wild Robot'". Screen Daily. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ "The Life of Chuck". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ Breznican, Anthony (September 3, 2024). "The Life of Chuck: The Feel-Good Stephen King Apocalypse Movie". Vanity Fair. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (September 26, 2024). "'The Life of Chuck' Sells to Neon After Winning TIFF's Audience Award (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- ^ "The Life of Chuck". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ "The Life of Chuck". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ Pond, Steve (September 15, 2024). "'The Life of Chuck' Wins Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award". TheWrap. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (September 15, 2024). "Toronto: Mike Flanagan's 'The Life of Chuck' Wins Audience Award". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (September 15, 2024). "Tom Hiddleston's 'The Life of Chuck' Wins Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award". Variety. Retrieved September 15, 2024.