Flanagan Finds New Depth in ‘The Life of Chuck’ - Review
To call The Life of Chuck some of Mike Flanagan’s best work is to acknowledge its place as a deeply affecting and resonant chapter in an already exceptional body of work. It doesn't just stand out—it enriches the legacy he's been building with care, vision, and emotional depth. When discussing the extensive body of work from Flanagan, originally celebrated for his substantial contributions to the horror genre, it becomes clear that his artistic identity has evolved into something far more expansive. While he remains a master of horror, Flanagan’s recent projects reflect a deepening interest in exploring a wide range of genres, themes, and emotional textures. The Life of Chuck stands as a compelling example of this ongoing evolution. The film contains a life-affirming and genre-bending narrative, which unfolds in three chapters centered on the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz. With this project, Flanagan once again showcases his remarkable ability to tell deeply human stories with nuance, emotional resonance, and stylistic versatility. Let’s dive in.
Image courtesy of NEON.
The Life of Chuck is a moving and stylistically ambitious film that further cements Mike Flanagan’s reputation as one of the most thoughtful storytellers working today. Based on the novella from Stephen King’s If It Bleeds, this adaptation takes an unconventional narrative structure and transforms it into a deeply human meditation on mortality, memory, and the quiet beauty of everyday life.
Told in reverse chronological order, The Life of Chuck examines the titular character’s life through a series of vignettes that begin with his death and end with his childhood. It’s a bold structural choice that risks disorienting viewers, yet Flanagan manages to turn this fragmentation into a strength. Each segment—whether whimsical, haunting, or reflective—adds another emotional layer to Chuck’s life, revealing how even the smallest personal moments can ripple through the lives of others.
Tom Hiddleston delivers a quiet, resonant performance as Chuck, capturing a sense of grace and introspection that anchors the film. He is supported by an outstanding ensemble cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mark Hamill, Karen Gillan, and many others of whom Flanagan fans will recognize from his previous projects. These familiar faces are more than just Easter eggs; their presence contributes to the film’s intimate tone and thematic continuity across Flanagan’s body of work.
Image courtesy of NEON
What sets The Life of Chuck apart is Flanagan’s meticulous attention to detail. His direction is restrained yet poetic, with long takes, soft lighting, and precise compositions that emphasize the ephemeral nature of life. The film’s score, which is once again composed by The Newton Brothers, and sound design enhance this atmosphere without ever overwhelming it, allowing each scene to breathe.
Perhaps the most impressive element is how Flanagan resists the urge to over-explain or moralize. Instead, he lets the audience sit with ambiguity and emotion, trusting that the film’s message will land through its characters and their experiences. In doing so, he crafts a cinematic elegy that invites reflection without demanding it.
In an era where spectacle often takes precedence, The Life of Chuck is a rare film that finds power in introspection. It’s not just a story about one man’s life—it’s a reminder of the beauty in all our lives, however ordinary they may seem. Flanagan’s adaptation is a triumph of quiet storytelling, one that doesn’t waste a single frame.
