“The Life of Chuck” has made its debut on Rotten Tomatoes, achieving the highest score for a Stephen King adaptation since 2017. Directed by Mike Flanagan—renowned for his work on “The Haunting of Hill House” (2018), “Doctor Sleep” (2019), and “Midnight Mass” (2021)—the film is adapted from King’s novella of the same name, featured in his 2020 collection “If It Bleeds.” The movie stars Tom Hiddleston as Charles Krantz and explores three distinct chapters of the character’s life.
After its premiere at TIFF, “The Life of Chuck” has received an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 20 reviews. Although this score may change as more reviews come in, it currently stands as the highest-rated King adaptation since “1922” (2017), which boasts a 92% score. Refer to the chart below to see how “The Life of Chuck” compares with other recent adaptations of King’s work:
What “The Life of Chuck’s” Rotten Tomatoes Score Means for the Film
Comparison with Flanagan’s Previous King Adaptations
Flanagan’s track record for garnering positive critical acclaim remains strong, and “The Life of Chuck” appears to be maintaining this streak. With an 85% score at the time of writing, the film ranks between Flanagan’s two other King adaptations. “Gerald’s Game” leads with an impressive 91%, while “Doctor Sleep” holds a respectable third place with a 78% score.
Initial reviews have commended “The Life of Chuck” as an uplifting and life-affirming addition to both Flanagan’s and King’s oeuvre, marking a successful shift in tone and direction. Hiddleston’s lead performance is highlighted as a standout, and the film’s ensemble cast, including Mark Hamill, Karen Gillan, Matthew Lillard, Mia Sara, David Dastmalchian, Kate Siegel, and Jacob Tremblay, is noted as a significant asset. However, it remains uncertain whether this positive critical reception will translate to box office success.
Flanagan’s latest venture, “The Fall of the House of Usher” (2023) on Netflix, has also received critical acclaim.
Our Perspective on “The Life of Chuck’s” Rotten Tomatoes Score
An Anomaly for Flanagan & King
“The Life of Chuck” currently lacks a distributor, though this may change soon following its TIFF premiere. As illustrated in the chart, not all King adaptations achieve success, making the potential triumph of one of his lighter stories a refreshing prospect. Flanagan, who has emerged as a leading figure in horror in recent years, seems to have crafted a poignant experience by moving away from his usual scares.
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The key to “The Life of Chuck’s” success will be audience reception, particularly if it secures a theatrical release. It’s noteworthy, however, that “Doctor Sleep” underperformed at the box office despite an 89% audience score. The fate of “The Life of Chuck” remains to be seen, but its early Rotten Tomatoes response is promising.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes
The Life of Chuck
- Drama
- Fantasy
- Sci-Fi
Based on the short story written by Stephen King, The Life of Chuck is a drama/supernatural film by writer-director Mike Flanagan. Tom Hiddleston stars as the titular Charles Krantz and traverses three phases of his life, including his time spent growing up in a haunted house.
