Stephen King is best known for horror, but some of the most effective Stephen King movies are based on the author's stories that feature little or no supernatural leanings. We're thinking of films like THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, STAND BY ME, and MISERY.
King's short story "The Life of Chuck" fits in the "maybe only slightly supernatural" category, and the tale is really about how we live our lives, and the ways we connect with the world. THE LIFE OF CHUCK is a movie starring Tom Hiddleston based on the story. It debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 to acclaim, and is coming to theaters next year. Here's everything you need to know about THE LIFE OF CHUCK.
What's The Life of Chuck Release Date?
NEON will release THE LIFE OF CHUCK in movie theaters in 2025. We don't have a proper date yet, but we're hoping that it will be sooner rather than later! (NEON is also releasing THE MONKEY, another Stephen King adaptation, in February, so they might put some space between the two movies.)
Is There a Trailer for The Life of Chuck?
There is no trailer for THE LIFE OF CHUCK at this point! Since distribution for the movie is just getting set now, we'll probably have to wait a bit longer to see any footage. When the release date is announced, there's a good chance we'll get at least a teaser trailer at the same time.
What's the Plot of The Life of Chuck?
Based on the story of the same name published in the book "If it Bleeds," THE LIFE OF CHUCK is a movie about the value of living a good life and the connections we make with other people. But as the movie begins we're with a teacher on his commute home, where he sees billboards and messages all over town featuring a smiling, normal guy, coffee cup in hand, at his desk. They all say "Charles Krantz 39 great years! Thanks, Chuck!"
Soon, we meet Chuck himself, and experience a couple of pivotal moments in his life.
Who Made The Life of Chuck?
Mike Flanagan, known for movies like HUSH and DOCTOR SLEEP, and TV series like "Midnight Mass" and "The Fall of the House of Usher," wrote and directed THE LIFE OF CHUCK. Flanagan has become recognized as one of the most successful filmmakers when it comes to interpreting and/or adapting Stephen King's stories.
Who's in the Cast of The Life of Chuck?
The story that inspired THE LIFE OF CHUCK is told in three sections which move in reverse chronological order. The movie follows the same pattern, which means that the main character, Charles "Chuck" Krantz, played by Tom Hiddleston, is a mystery at first. We're oriented by Chiwetel Ejiofor playing Marty Anderson, a man whose world seems to be literally falling apart. Nick Offerman narrates the movie throughout. And as we move backward in time, Benjamin Pajak, Cody Flanagan, and Jacob Tremblay play younger versions of Chuck.
The cast also includes Karen Gillan as Felicia Gordon, Mark Hamill as Albie Krantz, Mia Sara as Sarah Krantz, Q'orianka Kilcher as Ginny Krantz, and Heather Langenkamp as Vera.
Additional cast members include Samantha Sloyan, Kate Siegel, Matthew Lillard, David Dastmalchian, Harvey Guillén, Annalise Basso, and Carl Lumbly.
The Life of Chuck Might End Up in the Oscar Race
Filmmaker Mike Flanagan made THE LIFE OF CHUCK as a total indie. He took the movie to the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024. The movie won this year's People's Choice Award, which is a good bellwether of future awards success. In the last 15 years, every TIFF People's Choice Award winner except one has been nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Five won the Oscar.
Of course, awards are more important to filmmakers and distributors than they are to audiences, but that People's Choice Award does indicate that regular paying audiences liked the movie a lot — and that will affect how much of a push NEON gives the movie as it moves towards theaters.
We'll tell you more about THE LIFE OF CHUCK soon!
All images courtesy of NEON.