The best Stephen King film of 2025 is not a horror: have you seen it?

When it comes to Stephen Kingyour thoughts immediately turn to stories that make you tremble: “Carrie”, “It” and dozens of other masterpieces have consolidated his reputation as a master of horror.

For over fifty years, his novels have terrified readers and viewers, turning into films and series that have become true cults. However, 2025 appears to be about to change this perception, not only because King, nearing 80, remains a central voice of pop culture, but also because this year saw the arrival of three adaptations of his works on the big screen. And, unexpectedly, the most successful film of all does not belong to the horror genre.

This is The Life of Chuck, distributed by NEON and directed by Mike Flanagan, known for bringing Doctor Sleep and Midnight Mass to the screen. Flanagan doesn’t just replicate the horror formula; on the contrary, it stages a story that explores one man’s life in a moving and thoughtful waymaintaining some typical elements of King’s universe, but without aiming for fear as an end in itself.

The film follows the life of Charles Krantz, played by Tom Hiddleston, telling it in three non-linear chapters. We start from his death and proceed backwards to his childhood, spent in a mysterious house that holds secrets and indelible memories. This reversed narrative structure allows you to experience the story in a way never seen beforebecause every choice, every event in Chuck’s life, takes on a new and deeper meaning as the story progresses.

Although the film contains elements typical of King, such as worlds teetering between life and death, ghosts and forbidden doors, the main goal is not to scare, but to reflect on life itself. The characters face extraordinary and, at times, frightening events, but the tension does not come from terror, but from the emotions, bonds and choices that define their existence. It is an approach that shows a new, more human and contemplative King, who invites the viewer to question the meaning of life and the passing of time.

Tom Hiddleston offers an intense and measured interpretation, capable of making every phase of Chuck’s life credible and touching. His portrayal of the protagonist conveys a rare sweetness and vulnerability, making it easy to empathize with him and his experiences. Flanagan uses direction to take the viewer on this emotional journey and alternates moments of delicacy with sequences of great visual impact, without ever falling into spectacle as an end in itself.

What makes The Life of Chuck special is precisely this ability to combine King’s narrative universe with a profound reflection on life. It is not a traditional horror, but a work that talks about growth, memories, relationships and loss. Each chapter becomes a meditation on the fragility of existence and the beauty hidden in everyday gestures. It is a film that excites even those who are normally not interested in King (discover 3 films that have adapted King’s books almost perfectly) or the horror genre, because it touches universal chords, such as love, memory and the passage of time.