The Life of Chuck

Directed by Mike Flanagan

United States

2024

110 mins

Unclassified 15+

Tom Hiddleston stars in this majestic Toronto’s People’s Choice Award-winner from Mike Flanagan (Midnight Mass), an affirming celebration of the preciousness of every individual.

Based on a poignant and atypical Stephen King novella, The Life of Chuck is told in reverse. It starts with a world on the verge, devastated by climate change: California has sunk into the Pacific, and the internet is down, likely permanently. In this turmoil, teacher Marty (Chiwetel Ejiofor) tries to convince parents that there’s still value in educating their children. Meanwhile, all over the city, curious billboards have started to appear, celebrating 39 years of “Chuck” Krantz (Hiddleston) - a total unknown. His life is gradually revealed in this very touching film, which riffs on Walt Whitman’s phrase, “I am manifold” in celebrating the myriad relationships, experiences, tastes and desires that make us who we are.

Limited seats are available for patrons requiring access for wheelchairs, low vision and hearing loop. Please contact our ticketing team directly on 1300 733 733 or tickets@sff.org.au to complete your booking.

“Despite his reputation as a master of horror, this side of Mike Flanagan has always been there. As a filmmaker, Flanagan deals in raw, go-for-broke emotion, it’s just that this time around he’s using that passion to affirm the audience, not disturb them.”

Katie Rife, IndieWire

“The Life of Chuck is filled with delights, from wild tonal shifts between horror and naked sentimentality that work with surprising precision, to a litany of fun supporting characters played by Flanagan regulars, and a general rejection of cynicism even in the face of despondency.”

Siddhant Adlakha, Variety

Katie Rife, IndieWire

Tickets

Fri 6 June 2025, 6:15pm

Past Event

Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace - Cinema 4

Hayden Orpheum - Cinema 4

Wed 11 June 2025, 6:30pm

Past Event

Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 4

Event George St - Cinema 4

Thu 12 June 2025, 6pm

Past Event

Ritz Cinemas Randwick - Cinema 1

Ritz Randwick - Cinema 1

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Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

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