Writer-director Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep) brings Stephen King’s 2020 novella of the same name to the big screen in this story about an ordinary man, Charles “Chuck” Krantz (Tom Hiddleston), and his largely unremarkable life. (111 min.)
THE LIFE OF CHUCK
What’s it rated? R
What’s it worth, Anna? Full price
What’s it worth, Glen? Full price
Where’s it showing? Hulu, Amazon Prime
Glen “I celebrate myself, and I sing myself/ And what I assume you shall assume,/ For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you,” wrote Walt Whitman in his epic free verse poem “Song of Myself.” The poem and its idea of both individualism and interconnectedness are at the heart of The Life of Chuck, the story of an ordinary man on the cusp of death at 39. Told in three acts in reverse order, the film begins with act 3, “Thanks, Chuck,” and focuses on middle school teacher Marty Anderson (Chiwetel Ejiofor), whose world seems to be ending. Natural disasters, worldwide Internet disruption, and societal collapse drive him back into the arms of his ex-wife, Felicia (Karen Gillan), as they ponder the end and wonder about billboards and radio ads saying, “Charles Krantz: 39 Great Years! Thanks, Chuck!” What does it mean?
Anna The backwards unfolding of a story is always an interesting trick. A key scene in this part of the film is Marty on the phone with Felicia, describing Carl Sagan’s Cosmic Calendar to put into perspective how small a blip human existence really is and where it comes to play in the age of the universe. It was pivotal and emotional, and Ejiofor truly carried the scene with quiet brilliance. At the end of act 1, we meet Chuck (Tom Hiddleston) in his hospital bed, in the final breaths of life with his wife and teenage son there with him. When act 2 begins, our faithful narrator (Nick Offerman) describes Chuck the accountant, what his day-to-day is, what his life was like in those middle years. It had a Stranger Than Fiction vibe, especially in the narrated moments—which is another movie I love that deals with the vastness and the smallness of life. This is where we learn that Chuck can dance and that his time on earth is short and soon lost. We also see his depth of connection and his genuine compassion for those around him.
Glen The final act, “I Contain Multitudes,” returns us to Chuck’s challenging childhood (here played by three actors at ages 7, 11, and 17) and the pains and joys of his upbringing. One pivotal moment is when his idealistic teacher Ms. Richards (Kate Siegel) explains Whitman’s iconic line, “I contain multitudes.” It’s a philosophic film about consciousness and reality. Our lives and memories are an accumulation of small moments and interactions with everyone we’ve met or encountered. Every person exists in their own reality, their personal inner universe. Experiences make us who we are. When Chuck dies, so die his memories of those interactions. The stars are snuffed out in Marty Anderson’s universe as it existed in Chuck’s consciousness. It’s a beautiful film.
Anna I’m so glad that we got to see it, but I’m sad to have missed it in the theater. It feels like it’s going to stay with me for a very long time. Hiddleston is good in everything, and especially so here. It’s the kind of film that makes you take stock at what surrounds you, who you’ve been, who you’ve known, and how all of that builds into the person you are at this very second. I’ll rewatch this one. I loved it.
Glen Not everyone loved it. Peter Debruge of Variety called it the “worst movie of 2025.” Decide for yourselves! ∆
Arts Editor Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Split Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Jan 8-15, 2026.