The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) ended with The Life of Chuck winning the People’s Choice Award, indicating early Oscars success. Directed by Mike Flanagan and starring Tom Hiddleston, the film is an adaptation of Stephen King’s novella about a banker named Charles Krantz. The movie tells Krantz’s life story in reverse order amid an apocalyptic setting, with co-stars Mark Hamill and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The film’s win at TIFF is expected to attract distributors for its worldwide release.
Emilia Perez, a musical about a transgender drug lord, and Anora, a Cannes Palme d’Or winner about a New York dancer, were the first and second runners-up at TIFF, respectively. Known for drawing stars and cinephiles alike, this year’s festival saw A-listers like Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, and Jude Law on the red carpet. Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh, Salma Hayek, Denzel Washington, Elton John, and Bruce Springsteen were among the other celebrities spotted at the event.
Last year, the People’s Choice Award winner, American Fiction, received five Oscar nominations and won for best adapted screenplay. This year’s win for The Life of Chuck could potentially set the stage for similar awards success. As the festival comes to a close, attention will turn to the upcoming Oscar season and whether the TIFF winners will continue their award-winning streak. Stay tuned for more updates on the award-winning films and their potential impact on the Oscars race.