Among the more difficult recent films to decipher is The Life of Chuck, starting with the mystery of how this is a 2024 film. Why was there a delayed release on a deep and quality film based on a Stephen King short story and starring Loki? Can you remember the last time a Stephen King adaptation was not given a major release in year it was released? I sure as Hell can’t.
Does it matter? It does not; we have bigger problems, starting with: Why is the world ending, and who the Hell is Charles Krantz?
The Life of Chuck is told in three parts, each Act earlier in the time frame than the previous. Let me describe them without giving too much away. In retrospect, however such would be impossible; this is one of those films in which I could describe every plot point in fine detail and you’d have to see it to get a feel for the film itself.
Act Three: Thanks, Chuck or WHY IS THE WORLD ENDING?!
Here we follow the confusion of Middle School teacher Marty Anderson (Chiwetel Ejiofor) as a pleasant suburbia slowly changes into the apocalypse. Natural disasters, giant sinkholes, loss of internet … what’s going on? The 
only common thread seems to be a plethora of billboards reading: “Charles Krantz: 39 Great Years! Thanks, Chuck!” with a picture of dorky Tom Hiddleston advertising middle management like no 9-to-5er before him.
Act Two: Buskers Forever or Dance, Dance, Resolution
Nine months previous to Act Three, Charles “Chuck” Krantz (Tom Hiddleston in this act) is a dorky middle manager. One day, while on the outdoor set of The Life of Chuck, he encounters a busking street drummer, as one does. [Actually, you will find them in my neighborhood from time-to-time, but I imagine this is fairly rare in most of the world.] Inspired, Chuck starts dancing. He’s GOOD. He’s joined spontaneously by Janice (Annalise Basso). A crowd forms. This is among the most delightful scenes in all of 2025 film … or 2024 film, depending on how you wish to view it. The Life of Chuck is worth it for this scene alone.
Act One: I Contain Multitudes or What the Fuck, L’il Chuck?
In the “final” act, we explore the history of Charles Krantz (Jacob Tremblay as high school Chuck, Benjamin Pajak as Elementary School Chuck, and Cody Flanagan as wee Chuck). Raised by grandparents, Chuck learns to love 
dance. Grandma Mia Sara -Good Lord, when is the last time I thought about Mia Sara?- impressed upon l’il Chuck the love of shakin’ ones booty … and Chuck learned well.
Now, does any of that sound like Stephen King? The first part, I suppose, but King would make it more poignant and graphic with maybe a monster or two. This film opens with the quietest apocalypse in film history. You kinda have to get through all three acts to understand what’s going on … and, even then, there’s no guarantee.
To me, The Life of Chuck is equal parts delightful and incomprehensible. Wait. That’s not fair; it’s not that incomprehensible. Then again, it isn’t quite that delightful, either. In an alternate universe, this mythic exploration of personal existentialism interpreted through dance is a best picture winner. To be fair, there have been worse better picture winners. In this universe, however, The Life of Chuck is a semi-delightful film that few will see and the ones who do will be puzzled as to where Stephen King fit into all of this.
There once was a mild hero named Chuck
Whose life found less joy than suck
To make things seem worse
His story runs in reverse
What remains is a game of Goose, Duck, Duck!
Rated R [Really?], 111 Minutes
Director: Mike Flanagan
Writer: Mike Flanagan, Stephen King
Genre: WTF is going on here?
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Fans of quiet mystery and contemplation
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: If you saw “Stephen King” on the poster and an “R” rating and came lookin’ for blood, you are going to be sorely disappointed
