Tom Hiddleston arrives on the red carpet ahead of the premiere of the film “The Life of Chuck”, during the Toronto International Film Festival, in Toronto on Friday, September 6, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)

The Toronto International Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award went to “The Life of Chuck,” handing Mike Flanagan’s Stephen King adaptation of one of the most-watched prizes of the fall film festival circuit.

The award for “The Life of Chuck” was announced Sunday as North American’s largest film festival drew to a close. “The Life of Chuck,” based on King’s 2020 novella of the same name, stars Tom Hiddleston as Charles “Chuck” Krantz, an ordinary man living through apocalyptic cataclysms. Mark Hamill, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan and Jacob Tremblay co-star.

TIFF’s People’s Choice Award is regarded as a reliable Oscar harbinger. Since 2012, every winner of the festival’s top prize has gone on to be nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards. Last year, Cord Jefferson’s “American Fiction” won, and went on to be a major awards contender.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

But “The Life of Chuck” could test that track record. The film is up for sale and doesn’t yet have distribution. It could be acquired and quickly readied for release this fall, or it might end up a 2025 release.

Tom Hiddleston attends the premiere of “The Life of Chuck” during the Toronto International Film Festival on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

“The Life of Chuck” drew mixed — though mostly positive reviews — out of Toronto, though audiences were clearly charmed by the uplifting drama.

Runners-up for the People’s Choice Award, which is voted on by festival attendees, were both films that first premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May. The first was Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez.” The second runner-up was Sean Baker’s “Anora,” the Palme d’Or winner at Cannes.

ADVERTISEMENT

The audience award for top documentary went to Mike Downie’s “The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal.” In the festival’s Midnight Madness section, the prize went to Coralie Fargeat’s “The Substance,” starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley.

Want stories like this delivered straight to your inbox? Stay informed. Stay ahead. Subscribe to InqMORNING boda8

MORE STORIES Liam Payne: Beloved celebrity’s death can be painful – but collective grief can help Curry leads Golden State Warriors in 139-104 season-opening Former Presidents Obama, Clinton urge Fil-Ams in Nevada to vote early Don't miss out on the latest news and information. View comments TAGS: Film Awards, Toronto, Trending For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.

• The
• amp
• #8216
• #8217
• boda8

---