Only One King Film Wins Over Both Critics and Viewers in the Last 6 Years — No Wonder It Scores 87% on Rotten Tomatoes
Philosophy instead of horror, Tom Hiddleston instead of monsters.
The new Stephen King film — and once again, it’s not horror. The Life of Chuck by Mike Flanagan has outpaced all competitors in recent years, both in ratings and reviews. 82% from critics and a full 87% from audiences — numbers that no adaptation of the King of Horror has achieved since 2019. Neither The Boogeyman, nor Salem's Lot, nor even Doctor Sleep received such unanimous praise. And it’s not about scares this time.
Meditation instead of fear: Flanagan makes King gentle
Instead of nightmares and monsters — reflections on life, death, and how to live your short 'here and now'. At the center of the plot is Chuck Krantz, played by Tom Hiddleston, whose story is told… in reverse. Yes, the chronology is broken here, like in Memento, and that only adds meaning. Flanagan, who previously adapted Doctor Sleep and Gerald's Game, once again takes an unconventional approach — and wins.
Compared to The Shawshank Redemption
Viewers are already drawing parallels: The Life of Chuck is something akin to The Shawshank Redemption. Just as warm, sad, and deeply human. Yes, it doesn’t scare with ghosts, but with the realization that everything passes. That we are mortal. But it does so cinematically — with hope. With an 87% audience score, the film easily outperformed The Monkey (56%), The Boogeyman (65%), and Pet Sematary (33%). And it has become the most beloved King adaptation of the last six years.
Why the film flopped at the box office but succeeded in spirit
Yes, Chuck didn’t do great at the box office — it’s not a film for everyone. It doesn’t scare, doesn’t explode, doesn’t shock. But it resonates, if you’re ready to watch not for spectacle, but for meaning. For those who grew up on Carrie and The Shining, this is a new face of King — mature, philosophical, and deeply personal.
It seems Stephen King is becoming a wise storyteller of life, not just nightmares. And that’s a transformation worth watching.
