The first reviews of The Life of Chuck praise it as one of the best Stephen King adaptations of all time. The upcoming movie, which follows the life of unassuming accountant Chuck Krantz (Tom Hiddleston) amid a strange, potentially apocalyptic event, was written and directed by Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep director Mike Flanagan, is adapted from the King novella originally published as part of the 2020 collection If It Bleeds. The upcoming The Life of Chuck also stars Jacob Tremblay, Mark Hamill, Mia Sara, Karen Gillan, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Matthew Lillard, Harvey Guillén, Kate Siegel, Rahul Kohli, and Heather Langenkamp.
Following the world premiere of The Life of Chuck at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, critics have shared early reviews of the movie. They have largely been glowing, including that of TheWrap‘s Chase Hutchinson, who not only calls the movie “one of the best modern Stephen King adaptations one could hope for,” but Mike Flanagan’s “best film yet” and “the work he’s been building up to over his entire career.” Collider‘s Jason Gorber agrees with the former statement, saying that it “immediately contends for being crowned the best King-originated film ever made.”
The Life of Chuck has also drawn praise for being a major departure from the horror genre that is familiar to both Flanagan and King. While IndieWire‘s Katie Rife warns that “cynics will likely find Flanagan’s latest far too saccharine,” the writer says the more uplifting drama is still in line with the filmmaker’s typical approach of “raw, go-for-broke emotion.” Daily Beast‘s Nick Schager underscores that point, writing that “understatement isn’t part of the writer/director’s modus operandi here, and that’s ultimately to the benefit of his film.”
What These Reviews Mean For The Life Of Chuck
The New Stephen King Adaptation Is A Critical Hit
While critics differ on whether the lighter tone of the movie worked for them, they ultimately agree that The Life of Chuck packs an emotional wallop and is a potent adaptation of the original novella. Additionally, even though it is a departure from the director’s previous King adaptations, it still puts him among the ranks of some of the author’s most renowned frequent directorial collaborators, a roster that also includes Frank Darabont and Rob Reiner. It is still unmistakably a Mike Flanagan movie as well.
Frank Darabont directed three King adaptations (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and The Mist), while Rob Reiner helmed two (Misery and Stand by Me).
On top of the fact that the movie is a Stephen King adaptation and features his signature approach to its emotional core, one of the ways that Mike Flanagan maintains the signature feel of his horror projects is the Life of Chuck cast. The movie’s robust ensemble features more than a dozen performers from previous Flanagan titles including The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, Hush, Oculus, and many more.
Our Take On The Life Of Chuck’s Reviews
The Mike Flanagan Movie Still Has A Lot To Prove
While these early reviews for The Life of Chuck are promising, it remains to be seen how the movie is received by further critics and audiences during its official wide release once the glow of the world premiere has died down. There is a great deal of competition for the title of the best Stephen King movie, including 1980’s The Shining, 1976’s Carrie, Stand by Me, Misery, The Shawshank Redemption, and many more. The movie will need to stand the test of time somewhat longer in order to be considered a classic among that renowned pantheon.
Source: Various (see above)
