In a world increasingly preoccupied with existential threats, The Life of Chuck emerges as a timely yet oddly anachronistic cinematic experience. Directed by Mike Flanagan and based on a Stephen King novella, the film delves into apocalyptic themes, reflecting a pervasive cultural anxiety about the end of days. Whether through climate catastrophe, global pandemics, or geopolitical tensions, the specter of doom looms large in contemporary discourse.
The film, rated R for language, begins at the end of the universe, tapping into these anxieties with a disturbingly relevant vision. However, its exploration of meaning amidst impending destruction feels out of step with current cultural shifts. Rooted in a materialistic atheism, The Life of Chuck seems more like a relic of the early 2000s New Atheism movement than a reflection of today’s metamodern sensibilities.
Exploring Existential Questions
The film’s narrative unfolds in reverse, starting with “Act 3: Thanks Chuck,” where schoolteacher Marty, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, grapples with the world’s imminent end in a small American town. Global catastrophes escalate, from wildfires and volcanic eruptions to geopolitical conflicts and natural disasters. As societal structures crumble, humanity clings to a peculiar coping mechanism: a collective gratitude for Chuck Krantz, an accountant dying of a brain tumor.
Billboards, radio ads, and graffiti proclaim “Thanks, Chuck! 39 Great Years!” as the world unravels. This meme-like phenomenon becomes humanity’s final attempt at meaning-making, a darkly comedic nod to the absurdity of existence.
Out of Sync with the Zeitgeist
Despite its intriguing premise, The Life of Chuck struggles to resonate widely. While it may appeal to deconstructed believers and hardened agnostics, it seems disconnected from the current cultural landscape. As religious interest rises among younger generations and secularization slows, the film’s atheistic underpinnings feel increasingly outdated.
“At a time when secularization is slowing, religious interest is rising among young people, and books are being written about the surprising rebirth of belief in God, a movie like this probably won’t resonate widely.”
The Dance of Life
The film’s second act, “Buskers Forever,” introduces Chuck, portrayed by Tom Hiddleston, as he learns of his terminal cancer diagnosis. In a moment of spontaneity, Chuck dances to a busker’s drumbeat—a scene that encapsulates the film’s worldview. Narrator Nick Offerman muses, “Why did Chuck stop and dance? He doesn’t know. And would answers make a good thing better?”
This philosophy of embracing life’s fleeting moments is echoed throughout the film. Yet, in the face of life’s brevity and suffering, the suggestion to “just dance” may not satisfy those seeking deeper meaning.
Mathematics and Meaning
The film frequently returns to motifs of mathematics as the “only truth,” with Carl Sagan’s “cosmic calendar” and allusions to equations as the ultimate reality. Chuck’s grandfather tells him, “Stars are just math. The universe is just one big equation.” This perspective aligns with a nihilistic view, where transcendence and cosmic purpose are absent.
“In this movie, as with Flanagan’s Netflix series—Midnight Mass (2021) and The Midnight Club (2022)—God isn’t believed in, but he’s wrestled with.”
The Search for Greater Truth
As the film concludes with “Act 1: I Contain Multitudes,” Chuck’s tragic childhood is explored, revealing his mantra: “I will live my life until my life runs out.” This echoes a secular sentiment found in popular culture, where time itself is seen as a source of meaning.
However, this perspective may not satisfy the majority. In a world facing dizzying change and doomsday fears, many are turning to spiritual experiences and a renewed appreciation for Christianity. The current cultural shift suggests a longing for a higher truth and a Redeemer, as people seek meaning beyond the material world.
“We don’t dance because life is meaningless and the end is near. We dance because God is good and eternal life can be ours, in Christ. That’s the story that rings true.”
Ultimately, The Life of Chuck serves as a reminder of the evolving cultural landscape. While it captures a certain existential anxiety, its atheistic narrative may not resonate with those seeking deeper, transcendent truths in an ever-changing world.
