The Life of Chuck (2024)
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2025-09 to 2026-08
The life of a man whose death is inextricably linked to the very fabric of the universe.
The story
The film follows the life of Charles "Chuck" Krantz, an accountant whose life is told in reverse chronological order. The narrative begins with his final moments in a hospital, where his death is revealed to be inextricably linked to the end of the universe. As the story moves backward, it explores his formative years, his passion for dance, and the various relationships he formed. The film explores the concept of 'containing multitudes,' showing how the memories and experiences of a single life can form a vast, internal universe that impacts the world around him.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film is structured in reverse chronological order, beginning with the death of 39-year-old accountant Charles "Chuck" Krantz. His death from a brain tumor triggers a cosmic event where the universe begins to collapse, a phenomenon observed by others like Marty Anderson, who notices global disasters and the disappearance of the internet. The narrative moves back to a time when Chuck was a young man, where he finds joy in dancing with a busker and a stranger named Janice. The story then retreats further into his childhood, following his loss of his parents and his upbringing by his grandparents, Albie and Sarah. Sarah encourages his love for dance, while Albie pushes him toward accounting. As a teenager, Chuck experiences a vision of his own death in a cupola, which he ignores to live life to the fullest. The film concludes by showing his early life, where his teacher explains that he 'contains multitudes,' meaning his memories form a universe within his head.
- First release year
- 2024
- Runtime (minutes)
- 111
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Mike Flanagan
- Writers
- Mike Flanagan · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Tom Hiddleston · Charles "Chuck" Krantz; Chiwetel Ejiofor · Marty Anderson; Karen Gillan · Felicia Gordon; Mia Sara · Sarah Krantz; Carl Lumbly · Sam Yarborough; Benjamin Pajak · 11-year-old Chuck; Jacob Tremblay · 17-year-old Chuck; Mark Hamill · Albie Krantz
- Genres
- fantasy; drama
- Themes
- mortality; memory; supernatural; identity
- Tone and mood
- poignant; supernatural; melancholic
- Premise and plot tags
- reverse chronology; magical realism; based on a novella
- Source material / true-story basis
- 2020 novella by Stephen King
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews and was named the 'Best Movie of 2025' by several major publications.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 67 · scale: 100 · review count: 42
- Production trivia
- The film was based on a novella by Stephen King.; Mike Flanagan also served as the editor for the film.; The film was shot in Alabama.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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