TEHRAN- “The Life of Chuck”, a 2024 fantasy movie by American filmmaker Mike Flanagan, went on screen at the Arasbaran Cultural Center in Tehran on Sunday. 

The film screening was followed by a review session attended by Iranian critic Kourosh Jahed.

“The Life of Chuck” adapts Stephen King's novella from his collection “If It Bleeds”, transforming it into a cinematic meditation on memory, mortality, and the interconnectedness of moments that shape our existence.

The film’s unconventional reverse chronological structure allows viewers to experience Chuck’s life from the end of the universe back to his childhood, encouraging reflection on how our past influences our present and future.

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2024, where it received critical acclaim and won the People’s Choice Award. Critics praised its innovative narrative, emotional depth, and powerful performances, especially Tom Hiddleston’s portrayal of Chuck, a character embodying the complexity of human life—innocence, regret, and acceptance.

The story unfolds across three interconnected acts, each revealing different stages of Chuck’s life and the universe’s fate. The final act, “Thanks, Chuck”, depicts the universe’s last moments. As natural disasters and supernatural phenomena escalate, the world begins to fall apart. Billboards and advertisements display Chuck’s face alongside the message, “Charles Krantz: 39 Great Years! Thanks, Chuck!” Middle school teacher Marty Anderson observes these strange signs and, with his ex-wife Felicia Gordon, contemplates whether the end is truly near. The chaos intensifies as stars vanish and reality unravels. It is revealed that Chuck himself, lying in a hospital bed dying from a brain tumor, is connected to the universe’s demise. Surrounded by his wife Ginny and son Brian, Chuck’s death marks the cosmic end, symbolizing life's transient nature. Meanwhile, Marty confesses his love to Felicia just before the universe ends, emphasizing love’s fleeting beauty and life's ephemeral moments.

The second act, “Buskers Forever”, takes place nine months before Chuck’s death. During a banking conference, Chuck encounters Taylor Franck, an energetic busking drummer. Moved by Taylor’s rhythm, Chuck impulsively joins him in dancing, attracting a crowd and igniting a spontaneous, joyful moment. Janice Halliday, a young woman recently dumped via text, joins Chuck, and together they dance in a burst of pure spontaneity. Afterward, Chuck and Janice help Taylor packs up, sharing the earnings. Chuck admits he does not fully understand why he danced but feels that, in that fleeting moment, perhaps God created the universe just for that joy. This act explores the importance of spontaneity and suggests that even brief moments of happiness hold cosmic significance. 

The earliest part, “I Contain Multitudes”, depicts Chuck’s childhood and adolescence. Orphaned in a tragic car accident that killed his parents, Chuck is raised by his paternal grandparents, Albie and Sarah. His grandmother Sarah teaches him to dance and find joy in movement, while his grandfather Albie, haunted by grief, turns to alcohol and forbids Chuck from entering a mysterious cupola in the house—an enigmatic space where he claims to have seen ghosts. 

As a young boy, Chuck befriends his idealistic teacher Ms. Richards, who introduces him to Walt Whitman’s phrase “I contain multitudes.” She explains that Chuck’s memories and experiences form a universe within his mind, shaping his identity. Tragedy strikes again when Sarah passes away, leaving Albie devastated and increasingly alcoholic. Inspired by his grandmother’s love for dance, Chuck joins his school’s dance club, excelling as a performer and developing a crush on Cat McCoy, a taller girl with whom he shares a dance at the Fall Fling. Despite her having a boyfriend, Cat asks Chuck to dance with her, a moment that signifies his longing for connection and self-expression.

As Chuck matures, he inherits his grandparents’ house and finally confronts the mysteries of the cupola. Inside, he sees an apparition of himself on his deathbed, which he recognizes through a scar on his hand. Despite this vision, Chuck chooses to live fully and accept himself, affirming, “I am wonderful, I deserve to be wonderful, and I contain multitudes.” 

SAB/