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The curtain falls on the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, which saw the triumph of Stephen King’s adaptation The Life of Chuck, starring Tom Hiddleston in the lead role.
The latest adaptation of horror master Stephen King, The Life of Chuck, starring Tom Hiddleston, won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday.
The highly coveted People’s Choice Award, the top prize of North America’s largest film festival, has become a reliable predictor for the Oscars. In recent years, it has forecasted several Best Picture winners, such as Green Book and Nomadland.
Directed by Mike Flanagan, The Life of Chuck is based on Stephen King’s 2020 short story of the same name. The film follows Charles Krantz (Tom Hiddleston), a banker whose story is told in reverse chronological order against an apocalyptic backdrop. Mark Hamill and Chiwetel Ejiofor round out the cast of this feature film, which had its world premiere in Toronto but is still without a distributor — a situation likely to change quickly after this victory.
The Life of Chuck beat out the bold musical comedy Emilia Perez, which tells the story of a transgender drug lord, and Anora, the Palme d’Or winner at Cannes, about the life of a New York erotic dancer. These three films were the big winners of this vibrant 49th edition.
The closing ceremony also featured the world premiere of The Deb, the first feature film directed by Rebel Wilson. This musical comedy about two cousins seeking a date for a debutante ball in rural Australia thrilled the audience at Roy Thomson Hall.
Before the screening, the organizers paid tribute to the creators of this 2024 edition, which marked the grand return of cinema in theaters after the pandemic. A highlight reel of the festival’s moments showcased the richness and diversity of the approximately 200 films presented.
True to its reputation, TIFF once again attracted a galaxy of stars this year, from Jennifer Lopez to Angelina Jolie, Jude Law, Salma Hayek and Denzel Washington. The closing night was no exception, with a sparkling Rebel Wilson in attendance to launch The Deb.
A fan favorite, The Life of Chuck appears to be a serious contender for the awards season. Last year, American Fiction won the People’s Choice Award before receiving five Oscar nominations and winning the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar.
For The Deb, the path will be more challenging, as musicals are not the Academy’s favorite genre. However, Rebel Wilson’s film could surprise, much like La La Land did in 2017.
Beyond the awards, TIFF remains an essential launchpad for filmmakers worldwide. By closing with the offbeat The Deb, the festival confirms its taste for originality and its talent for discovering hidden gems.
This 49th edition also unveiled many emerging talents, such as the luminous young Natalie Abbott in The Deb, and Brazilian director Emiliano Torres, who scored a hit with Emilia Perez.
As the curtain falls on this edition, organizers are already preparing for TIFF’s 50th anniversary in 2025, celebrating half a century of passion for the seventh art in grand style.
This festival has demonstrated the vitality of cinema, despite two years disrupted by the health crisis. With increased attendance and a tantalizing lineup, TIFF confirms its status as an essential platform for film lovers.
