Mike Flanagan Calls The Life of Chuck the Best Movie He’s Made

Mike Flanagan is best known for writing and directing horror films, including Hush, Ouija: Origin of Evil, and Doctor Sleep. Yet Flanagan called his upcoming drama, The Life of Chuck, the best movie of his career.

In an interview with Collider, Flanagan revealed that after reading the Stephen King novella, he emailed the author and said, “If I could have a crack at this story, it might be the best movie I’ll ever make.” After the film’s premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, does Flanagan believe The Life of Chuck is his best movie?

“Yeah, I do. And I felt that way while we were shooting it, too. I felt that way at the end of the first week,” Flanagan said. “The dance was first, which is a confident way to start an independent film, but for all the reasons you don’t control, that’s how it lands. And we watched this happen for four straight days, and I’ve watched a lot of things happen for many days on a movie — it takes forever to make a movie — but it’s the first time in my life that I loved what was on the monitor just as much, in fact, more, on the last take that we did four days in. I knew that there was something magical happening.”

Who is Involved in The Life of Chuck?

The Life of Chuck is based on King’s novella in 2020’s If It Bleeds. The movie revolves around Chuck, played by Tom Hiddleston. Chuck’s life story is told in three chapters in reverse chronological order, starting with an apocalyptic event.

The Life of Chuck’s cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Mia Sara, Carl Lumbly, Benjamin Pajak, Jacob Tremblay, and Mark Hamill.

Flanagan writes and directs The Life of Chuck, based on King’s story. Flanagan produces the independent feature alongside Trevor Macy.

The Life of Chuck premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2024. The film is currently undated as it searches for distribution.