The Life of Chuck (2025) Film Review: A genre-defying, profound meditation on the human condition

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Based on the 2020 novella by Stephen King, from his compilation book If It Bleeds, The Life of Chuck (2025) tells the story of an ordinary man, Charles 'Chuck' Krantz, through three distinct acts in a reverse chronological format, beginning with his untimely death from a brain tumour and ending with his formative years.

Director Mike Flanagan is best known for his work on horror films and television and is no stranger to adaptations of King's books, having previously directed the criminally underrated Doctor Sleep (2019), the sequel to the horror classic The Shining.

This extraordinary achievement in the art of cinematic storytelling offers movie fans one of the most unique, unconventional experiences of the year and has even been heralded as It's a Wonderful Life (1946) for modern audiences. The film is genre-bending and difficult to adequately summarise in shortened terms, involving an eclectic combination of fantasy, coming-of-age drama, and even science fiction/apocalyptic horror.

Without giving away any spoilers, as this movie definitely deserves viewers going in blind with a fresh perspective, the narrative's first act (technically the final chapter) is completely unexpected and subverts expectations with a surprisingly dark, existential tone, which is very likely to challenge and confuse many spectators.

A divorced couple, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Karen Gillan, seek solace and comfort from one another during a dark time in Earth's history

An intriguing sense of mystery is immediately established as a result of this dramatic opening, with the film's titular character being presented as a significant, yet largely unknown, public figure to his hometown's residents. The following two chapters present the life story of Chuck, from the warm and gentle upbringing he received from his grandparents, through to his teenage years and his later life working as an accountant.

Flanagan adapts King's short story with clear passion and sincerity, weaving together a quiet, deeply provocative narrative with an emphasis on introspection and life-affirming meaning. From the simple perspective of one everyday individual, the film explores universal themes of the human experience, from family relationships and love to the existentialism of mortality and coming to terms with one's place in the world.

Through remarkably simplistic yet captivating cinematic storytelling, Flanagan expertly captures the beauty and tragedy of life and death, as well as leaving many ambiguous components which open up the discussion for varying audience interpretations. One of the movie's many achievements is its magical ability to inspire viewers with its incredibly relatable ideas and characters, inviting anyone from any walk of life to become emotionally involved with the picture.

Along with a genuinely moving screenplay, the film is also a technical triumph in all aspects. Its overall presentation evokes a surreal nostalgia of the classical Hollywood era of the 1940s/50s, especially in light of a likely polarising use of 'cheesy' voice-over narration, which quite often provides exposition regarding a character's backstory.

Following the tragic death of both parents, young Charles is taken in and raised by his devoted grandparents

However, Flanagan's understated yet elegant direction and methodical editing, and Eben Bolter's lush cinematography, combine to create a mesmerising viewing experience. Memorable vista shots, such as the backdrop of a lush, relaxing sunset or the cosmic wonder of a starry night sky, provide a real visual treat. The Newton Brothers, regular collaborators with Flanagan, perfectly match the film's effective simplicity with a mellow, evocative score that features a recurring piano melody to suitably stir a multitude of emotions from viewers.

Every single performance in this ensemble cast is also outstanding, which is particularly impressive given the reliance on young actors to lead viewers through the ups and downs of Chuck's childhood.

Benjamin Pajak, who plays the ten-year-old version of the lead and features the most screen time out of his fellow variations of Chuck, is truly a remarkable find. He carries a certain aura of wisdom beyond his years, and the celebration of the arts of music and dance which gained the most focus during his story segment, provided the film's most joyous, infectiously feel-good moments of levity. Flanagan's son, Cody, also makes a sweet film debut in a small role as the youngest iteration of Chuck.

Both Jacob Tremblay and Tom Hiddleston, who surprisingly only feature for a short amount of screen time, provide a reliable nuance and gravitas to their parts, with all of the supporting roles also given solid moments to shine. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Karen Gillan, as ex-partners finding comfort in each other during the movie's harrowing first act, both make strong impressions, and Hollywood legends Mark Hamill and Mia Sara ease comfortably into the kind, supportive presence of Chuck's grandparents.

The film exhibits a delightfully uplifting dance sequence, which encapsulates the pure, unadulterated joy that music and movement can bring to individuals

A special shoutout must also go to Matthew Lillard, who occupies a very minor role in the overall story; however, he delivers a fantastic monologue that flawlessly nails the emotional beats with genuine authenticity and heartfelt honesty. It just goes to show that even the smallest of roles can result in the most powerful movie moments!

To wrap up, The Life of Chuck is a challenging film to efficiently describe in a meaningful, coherent way due to the sheer scale of its ambition in thematic and genre storytelling. It is an understandably divisive movie, where its disjointed narrative structure and largely unpredictable, bleak first act could easily cause viewers to form a generally negative opinion of the film.

However, the movie offers a genuinely transcendent experience, almost in a spiritual sense, through its examination of many deep, thought-provoking ideas and passionate presentation. A highly recommended must-see at the cinema for an all-encompassing, emotional journey. Its exploration of what it truly means to be human will stay in your heart and mind long after leaving the movie theatre.

Check out the trailer for The Life of Chuck (2025) below, and please let me know your thoughts in the comments!