By Ali Harris
Amid the unprecedented times the world faced in 2020, Stephen King published a short-story collection titled If It Bleeds. Inspired by the journalism expression “If it bleeds, it leads,” the book highlights the media’s inclination to focus on tragedy and violence. Director Mike Flanagan, a frequent collaborator with King (Doctor Sleep, Gerald’s Game), read one of the stories, The Life of Chuck, and knew instantly that he wanted to adapt it for the big screen. Since the two are best known for their work in horror, fans may be surprised to learn that The Life of Chuck ventures outside that genre.
Chuck is the most important person in the world and at the same time completely insignificant. His story calls attention to how people are always in a state of transition and how, even in an ordinary life, one can find unexpected joys. Within the familiar territory of fear and fantasy, Flanagan delivers a film that feels deeply human. Divided into three acts, the film offers various versions of Chuck, steering us away from asking how one man can change the world to showing how one man can change our perspective.
Flanagan often attributes King’s popularity to his ability to write compellingly about love, humanity and people. It comes as no surprise to me that Flanagan admires King’s empathy for his characters, because Flanagan’s artistry also involves making every character feel significant. The Life of Chuck takes this concept from both minds to another level. The cast enhances the vibrant storytelling, and each actor makes an impact regardless of screen time — a testament to how it takes a team to carry out a film’s message.
King himself has described the film as “a happiness machine.” While I found myself beaming at several moments, at other times I was moved to tears. Chuck and those around him demonstrate how being weird or different or just someone who cares is not the end of the world, but the beginning of it. While touching on grief, embarrassment and the unpredictability of the future, The Life of Chuck reminds us that not only does everyone have a story, but everyone is a product of their relationships and choices.
Perhaps the greatest strength of The Life of Chuck lies in its lasting relevance. What resonated during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic has remained meaningful and continues to speak to the uncertainty we face today. I’d like to thank Charles Krantz for 39 Great Years and for pushing me to write about this wonderful film. Winner of the People’s Choice Award at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, The Life of Chuck starts screening at the IPH June 12.