Even though this is based on a novella by Stephen King and directed by Mike Flanagan (best known for horror) this film doesn’t enter the thriller arena. Instead, it’s a life-affirming story with references to another writer, Walt Whitman, whose “Song of Myself” focuses on every person having the universe within. The film starts with Act 3, literally, when a teacher (Chiwetel Ejiofor) copes with the upcoming apocalypse, while the title character (Tom Hiddleston) is dying. Act 2 moves back to Chuck as a pubescent (Benjamin Pajak) learning to enjoy his love of dance. Act 1 finishes off with a teen version (Jacob Tremblay) facing the mortality of his family and himself. Of course, this reverse timeline takes the film out of a reality-based narrative, while the regular voiceover and wordy life lessons impart meaning (It’s nice to see Mark Hammil, looking like Geppetto, giving one such discourse). This is ultimately a quiet meditation about the beauty of the human spirit and the fragility of our existence. It’s not deeply emotional, but gently compelling. (3 / 5) Movieland link