The Life Of Chuck

UK Release Date. 20 August 2025
Certification. 15
Running Time. 1 hour 51 mins
Director. Mike Flanagan 
Cast. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Mark Hamill, Tom Hiddleston, Carl Lumbly, Nick Offerman, Benjamin Pajak, Mia Sara, Kate Siegel, Jacob Tremblay.
Rating. 49%

Review.

Mike Flanagan's The Life Of Chuck is almost certain to divide the audience, but in many ways, that feels paramount to its appeal. Personally, I found The Life Of Chuck a diverting watch, but somewhat gimmicky, and the film left me with a lingering feeling of superficiality. Part of the reason for the gimmicky aftertaste is the non-linear, mystery box scenario presented, and the incessant, inane and intrusive narration from Nick Offerman.

Based on a Stephen King short story, the narrative unfolds in reverse. The opening on-screen title card announces Act Three - An Apocalyptic World, where a primary school teacher, Marty Anderson (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and his ex-wife, Felicia Gordon (Karen Gillan), attempt to make sense of an increasingly apocalyptic global event.

The middle chapter, Act Two - Buskers, introduces the audience to Charles Krantz (Tom Hiddleston), the eponymous Chuck. In a scene of pure, unadulterated life-affirming joy, this seemingly straightlaced, suit-and-tie accountant unleashes his repressed inner dancer on the streets of downtown Foley, Alabama, after being seized by the rhythm of a busking drummer, The Pocket Queen (Taylor Franck).

The final part, Act One - I Contain Multitudes, focuses on Chuck as a child. Living with his grandparents (Mark Hamill and Mia Sara) following the death of his parents in a car accident, the young Chuck (first played by Benjamin Pajak and later by Jacob Tremblay), finds solace in dancing, initially with his grandmother in their kitchen and later in school. Benjamin Pajak brings genuine moments of magic to the coming-of-age chapter, alongside an almost unrecognisable Mia Sara in a rare on-screen appearance. For those of us of a certain age, yes, Sloane Peterson is a grandmother.

I am certainly a fan of Mike Flanagan. The Haunting Of Hill House and Midnight Mass are exceptional television series. In The Life Of Chuck, Flanagan leads us on a journey through life, death, love and loss. The film certainly has some lovely moments, but careers in too many directions to ultimately allow the audience to feel anything meaningful. Sadly, The Life Of Chuck never quite reaches the rousing crescendo one might hope for or promised in the theatrical trailer.