Mike Flanagan Says THE LIFE OF CHUCK Is the Movie He Wants to Be Remembered for; There's Also a New Clip
Mike Flanagan has a strong talent for telling existential stories likeMidnight Mass, The Haunting of Hill House, Doctor Sleep, and Gerald’s Game which all wrestle with mortality in their own ways. But with his next film, The Life of Chuck, Flanagan believes he may have created something even more enduring.
Flanagan shared in an essay posted on social media:
“There are very few pieces of work that I imagine will outlive me in a meaningful way. You always hope they will; we hope that in telling the stories we tell, we are planting a seed that will grow long after we’ve faded away.
“I have no idea which of these seeds will take root with people, and dwelling on those questions is a path to insanity. I feel a quiet, humble confidence that The Life of Chuck will long outlast us all.”
That’s a big statement coming from someone who’s also attached to high-profile IPs like The Exorcist, Carrie, Batman, and The Dark Tower. But it’s clear that Thee Life of Chuck hits a different nerve because it’s so personal.
Based on the short story by Stephen King, The Life of Chuck plays out the life of a man, Chuck, in reverse. It’s a poetic, emotional unraveling, and Tom Hiddleston leads a incredible ensemble that includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Jacob Tremblay, and Mark Hamill. It’s the kind of movie where performances matter, but so does the feeling it leaves behind.
Flanagan continues:
“The Life of Chuck is, at this moment in time, my favorite movie I’ve ever been a part of. I told people going into production that this was the film I wanted to leave in the world for my children.
“It is so rare to work on something so meaningful, so unique, so distinct, and so earnest. This is a story without a cynical bone in its body. What a rare and beautiful moment of art.”
The story that the film is based on is thoughtful, deeply human, and surprisingly warm for Stephen King, and I can’t wait wait to watch this film adaptation. It’s gotten great reviews! I also included a clip from the film for you to watch below