The life of Chuck

Several days ago, I watched a 2024 movie entitled ‘The Life of Chuck’ starring Tom Hiddleston and in a minor role, Mark Hamill. I knew nothing about it going in, but what got my attention was the fact it’s based on a Stephen King novella.

Before you even wonder, there’s no connection between Stephen King and myself, although I’ve admired his work for most of my adult life. We aren’t related although who wouldn’t want that? I would have bugged him many times for writing advice, if that were possible.

But back to this movie. As far as I know, few people saw it, but those who did came away with both praise and confusion. The structure of the story is backwards. It begins with part three, then two then one as its ending. Certainly, the choice to tell the story in that way adds to its impact and makes the point about how one life intersects others, sometimes leaving a lasting impression, other times not. It’s certainly a story to make you think and consider perhaps your own life and its ripples.

Writers choose a genre to work in and Stephen King has rightly been dubbed the “King of Horror”, but I would argue this movie and its story aligns with the other turns in the road he’s successfully followed. To give this genre a name, call it ‘realistic fantasy. ’Stories such as ‘11*22*63’, ‘The Green Mile’, and “Cujo’, all rotate within a realistic setting that introduces a fantasy element propelling the story forward. In the hands of a less competent writer, blending those two elements would lean heavily on the fantasy much more than the realistic. 

I only mention this as I revisited scenes from the movie several times, thinking about the elements that at first puzzled me before concluding with my own interpretation. The best movies and certainly the best plots always linger, perhaps because the realm of realistic fantasy is where we most want to dwell every moment we live. And only when watching movies like this do we get to do so.

For what’s it’s worth, watch it.