Directed and written by Mike Flanagan, Life of Chuck is an introspective drama adapted from a short story by Stephen King, taken from the collection If It Bleeds. Led by Tom Hiddleston and featuring performances by Mark Hamill and Chiwetel Ejiofor, the film was released in theaters across France on June 11, 2025. After its theatrical run, it will be broadcast free-to-air on Canal+ on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 9:10 PM, confirming its place in the channel’s premium cinema lineup.
Well known for his adaptations of Stephen King that blend horror with psychological drama (Jessie, Doctor Sleep), Mike Flanagan shifts gears here. Life of Chuck deliberately steps away from the supernatural to deliver a fragmented story focused on human experience, memory, and the act of passing down stories.
Synopsis — This film traces the life of Charles Krantz, known as Chuck, through three chapters told in reverse chronological order. Each segment delves into a different phase of his life, from his later years back to his childhood, gradually revealing how the story of an apparently ordinary man can leave a lasting mark on those around him and, more broadly, on the world he inhabited.
As the story unfolds, Life of Chuck highlights the simple joys, quiet regrets, and fleeting moments of grace that make up a life. The film focuses less on spectacular events and more on emotions, memories, and everyday gestures, embracing a deeply humanistic perspective.
This inverted storytelling structure, faithful to Stephen King's original novella, allows Mike Flanagan to explore different tones and styles. Each chapter boasts a distinct aesthetic, highlighted by varied visual formats that reflect the different phases of Chuck's life and the emotional weight they carry.
The project holds a deeply personal significance for Mike Flanagan. The filmmaker first came across Stephen King's latest work in 2020, during the height of the pandemic, and was instantly struck by its tone and unique atmosphere. This marks his fourth adaptation of King’s writing, following Jessie, Doctor Sleep, and the upcoming series The Dark Tower. Filming took place in Alabama, a region close to Flanagan’s heart, where he was reunited with several collaborators from his early days in the industry.
The cast also features several familiar faces from Flanagan's universe, including Jacob Tremblay, Annalise Basso, and Karen Gillan. Tom Hiddleston takes on a central role, offering a departure from his more showy characters — delivering a nuanced, restrained performance rooted in subtlety and emotion.
Life of Chuck follows in the footsteps of contemplative and existential films like Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life or Michel Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. This psychological drama focuses on a sensory and fragmented storytelling approach, aimed at viewers who appreciate introspective narratives far from the conventions of the blockbuster.
Life of Chuck
Film | Coming Soon in 2025
Release in theaters: June 11, 2025
Broadcast on Canal+: Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 9:10 PM
Drama | Duration: 1h51
Directed by Mike Flanagan | Starring Tom Hiddleston, Mark Hamill, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Original title: The Life of Chuck
Country: United States
With Life of Chuck, Mike Flanagan delivers a heartfelt and uplifting film that celebrates life and human nature. The movie stands out through its thoughtful structure, calming tone, and desire to find the extraordinary in the ordinary—eschewing spectacle and horror in favor of genuine storytelling.
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