The Life of Chuck, the latest adaptation of Stephen King's horror works, featuring Tom Hiddleston, clinched the prestigious top prize at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Sunday. The People's Choice Award, chosen by the audience at North America's largest film festival, has become a significant early indicator for the Oscars, having previously predicted Academy Award best picture winners like Nomadland and Green Book. Directed by Mike Flanagan, The Life of Chuck is based on King's 2020 novella of the same name, focusing on the life of an ordinary banker, Charles Krantz (Hiddleston), presented in reverse chronological order against a backdrop of impending doom.
Mark Hamill and Chiwetel Ejiofor also star in the film, which had its world premiere in Toronto but is yet to secure a distributor. This is likely to change following its win on Sunday. The first runner-up prize was awarded to the bold musical Emilia Perez, which tells the story of a transgender drug lord, while the second runner-up award went to Anora, the Cannes Palme d'Or winner, which delves into the life of a New York dancer. TIFF, which ran from September 5 until Sunday, is renowned for drawing both celebrities and a large audience of film enthusiasts eager to see movies before they are released to the general public.
Last year's festival saw a dip in star power due to strikes by Hollywood actors and writers, but this year's event was graced by a plethora of A-listers, including Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, and Jude Law. Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh, Salma Hayek, and Denzel Washington also made appearances on the TIFF red carpet, alongside music icons Elton John and Bruce Springsteen. The 2022 People's Choice Award was won by American Fiction, which subsequently received five Oscar nominations and won the award for best adapted screenplay.
