Stephen King streaming adaptations continue to thrive as The Life of Chuck, directed by Mike Flanagan, is set to begin streaming on Hulu this December. Starting December 26, viewers will be able to watch the celebrated film, which adapts King’s story of the same name and has already received positive attention after other digital releases.
Award-Winning Story Brings Unique Narrative and Star Cast
The Life of Chuck first became available for digital rental and purchase on Prime Video and other video-on-demand platforms in late July, but this Hulu premiere marks its full arrival on a major streaming service. The film follows the life of Charles “Chuck” Krantz in reverse, with Tom Hiddleston portraying the adult version of Chuck. Younger versions of the character are played by Jacob Tremblay, Benjamin Pajak, and Cody Flanagan, showcasing the story’s time-spanning perspective. The ensemble also brings together Mark Hamill, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Nick Offerman, Matthew Lillard, and Rahul Kohli, adding major star power to the adaptation.
After its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto Film Festival, The Life of Chuck was honored with the People’s Choice Award. It currently holds a solid 79% critics’ score and an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting strong reception among both reviewers and moviegoers.
A Departure from Traditional King Horror
This adaptation sets itself apart from many previous Stephen King streaming adaptations by eschewing the horror genre and instead delivering a heartfelt, dramatic tale with imaginative elements. The tone draws closer comparisons to The Shawshank Redemption rather than King’s more chilling works like The Shining or IT. For director Mike Flanagan, it is a creative shift from his previous King projects, which include Doctor Sleep (the 2019 sequel to The Shining) and Gerald’s Game in 2017.
Mike Flanagan’s Growing Slate of King Projects
Mike Flanagan’s return to King’s universe does not end with The Life of Chuck. He is also bringing a Carrie TV series to Prime Video, stating that the miniseries is
“already one of my favorite projects ever.”
– Mike Flanagan, Director
The Carrie adaptation features Summer H. Howell as Carrie White, Samantha Sloyan as Margaret White, Amber Midthunder as Rita Desjardin, Siena Agudong as Sue Snell, and Matthew Lillard as Henry Grayle. Katee Sackhoff and Rahul Kohli hold recurring roles, though their characters are still under wraps.
Additionally, Flanagan is developing a series based on King’s Dark Tower books. While his latest update acknowledges that production will require substantial time due to the scale and challenges, anticipation remains high for another major Stephen King adaptation on the horizon.
Streaming Pathways for King Fans and What’s Next
With The Life of Chuck joining Hulu’s library this December, fans of Stephen King and Mike Flanagan can look forward to a thoughtful, emotional experience distinct from traditional horror. The incoming Carrie series, along with the Dark Tower project in development, signals ongoing momentum for Stephen King streaming adaptations. As the release date approaches, anticipation builds to see how these acclaimed actors and creators bring King’s stories to life for new audiences.
