'The Life of Chuck' wins the Toronto Film Festival's People's Choice Award
The Pocket Queen, from left, Kate Siegel, Stephen King, Q'orianka Kilcher, Annalise Basso, Mike Flanagan, Tom Hiddleston, Karen Gillan, and Chiwetel Ejiofor attend 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 Toronto International Film Festival's People's Choice Award went to “The Life of Chuck,” handing Mike Flanagan's Stephen King adaptation 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.
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. “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.
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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former public safety minister didn't know about delayed spy warrant, he tells inquiry
Former public safety minister Bill Blair denies having any knowledge about delays in approving a spy service warrant in 2021 that may have included references to people in his own government.
'It went horribly wrong': DNA analysis sheds light on lost Arctic expedition's grisly end
Archaeologists have identified the cannibalized remains of a senior officer who perished during an ill-fated 19th century Arctic expedition, offering insight into its lost crew's tragic and grisly final days.
Missing father, kids spotted in New Zealand wilderness 3 years after disappearance: police
A New Zealand man who disappeared with his three children in 2021 was spotted on a farm along the country's northwest coast, police say.
Common heart conditions raise the risk of dementia, experts say
If you are one of the millions with heart disease, you have a higher risk for future dementia, according to the American Heart Association.
Partial remains of British climber believed found 100 years after Everest ascent
The partial remains of a British mountaineer who might -- or might not -- have been one of the first two people to climb Mount Everest are believed to have been found a century after their ascent of the world's highest peak, according to an expedition led by National Geographic.
Winnipeggers arrested after images surface of cats being tortured, killed
Two Winnipeggers have been arrested after images and videos were posted online of animals being tortured and killed.
Al Pacino says being a new dad at 84 is a 'mini miracle'
Al Pacino is enjoying being a late-in-life dad. The legendary actor talked about being a father to a brood, including to 16-month-old Roman with producer Noor Alfallah.
Toronto mother acquitted in death of disabled daughter launches $10.5-million lawsuit against police, city
Cindy Ali, the Toronto mother who was acquitted in the 2011 death of her 16-year-old daughter Cynara after serving more than four years in prison, is suing Toronto police and the city for more than $10 million.
TD money laundering fines could weigh on bank's stock long-term, analysts warn
Some analysts are warning the money laundering penalties levied against Toronto-Dominion Bank this week by U.S. regulators could weigh on the bank's stock price long-term.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Montreal
-
Old Montreal fire: two suspects arrested
Montreal Police (SPVM) have arrested two suspects in connection with the deadly fire that destroyed a century-old building in Old Montreal on Oct. 3, resulting in the deaths of two people.
-
Longueuil woman charged after 10-year-old boy scalded with boiling water
A woman from Montreal's South Shore has been charged with aggravated assault after allegedly splashing a 10-year-old boy with boiling water.
-
Quebec restaurant staff make more, work less than other Canadian provinces
Quebec restaurant employees are earning a higher wage and working fewer hours than the servers, dishwashers and bartenders in other Canadian provinces, according to a new report from the Quebec Restaurant Association.
Ottawa
-
Talks continue on transit funding for OC Transpo, Premier Ford says
Premier Doug Ford says talks continue between the Ontario government and the city of Ottawa on new funding to help keep OC Transpo rolling, but he is calling on the federal government to do more to support public transit in the capital.
-
Thanksgiving weekend brings busy travel, safety warnings
As one of the busiest travel times of the year, Thanksgiving weekend is expected to see heavy traffic on roads, at airports, and train stations in Ottawa. Travellers are advised to pack their patience.
-
Fire leaves cat dead, displaces two people in Ottawa's east end
Ottawa Fire Services says a cat has died and two adults have been displaced following a fire that started in the kitchen of a two-storey single family home in the city's east end Thursday afternoon.
Northern Ontario
-
Two Ontario sisters fly to Newfoundland after mother loses $20K to romance scam
Two sisters from Ontario travelled to Newfoundland to spend time with their mom after they learned she lost $20,000 to a romance scam.
-
Friends help Sudbury man find a home after living in an encampment
Glenn Thompson packs his E-bike to make the short trip back to the room he’s renting. Just a few short weeks ago, he was living in a tent.
-
Ontario man 'devastated' he owes $18,000 after 2 loans were fraudulently taken in his name
An Ontario man said he feels 'devastated' after learning his identity was stolen to take out two fraudulent loans under his name.
Kitchener
-
Kitchener, Ont. native Steven Lorentz scores first goal for Leafs
Kitchener, Ont. native Steven Lorentz scored his first goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night.
-
Waterloo resident arrested in Canada-wide grandparent scam
Ontario Provincial Police have arrested a Waterloo man who they believe is linked to a group that has been scamming victims across Canada.
-
Failed condo development being revived with potentially higher prices
A failed condo development in Kitchener is in new hands, leaving those who purchased property with a decision to make.
London
-
Skateboarders petition for indoor skatepark in London
Local skateboarders are looking to flip the minds of Londoners. Nearly 1,000 participants in the sport and their supporters have signed a petition to create an indoor skate park in the city.
-
Sarnia Airbnb house raided as part of drug investigation
In the early morning hours, police, including the emergency response team and major case action team, used a warrant to enter a home being operated as an Airbnb on Nelson Street.
-
Arson being looked at in St. Thomas rail yard
A fire at the St. Thomas CN Rail yard on Thursday is being investigated as arson. Crews were called to the tracks near Flora Street around 12 p.m. after a large pile of rail ties caught fire.
Windsor
-
Toronto man facing 30 charges after human trafficking investigation by Windsor police
A Toronto man is facing 30 charges after a woman told Windsor police officers she was being forced to work in the sex trade.
-
Windsor doesn’t have the highest unemployment rate anymore
The unemployment rate in Windsor has dropped to the second highest in Canada, according to Statistics Canada.
-
WECHU launches fall immunization campaign
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has launched its fall immunization campaign, aiming to keep Windsorites healthy during the respiratory season.
Barrie
-
Barrie man facing criminal charges in ongoing police investigation
Police in Barrie made an arrest in a sexual offences investigation, and authorities are concerned more women may have had similar experiences.
-
House explodes in Oro-Medonte
Oro-Medonte fire crews worked to extinguish a blaze early Friday morning.
-
Owner of illegal Midland rooming house fined $50,000 for fire code violations
The owner of an illegal rooming house in Midland was found guilty of fire code violations and handed a $50,000 fine.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeggers arrested after images surface of cats being tortured, killed
Two Winnipeggers have been arrested after images and videos were posted online of animals being tortured and killed.
-
Man charged after videos seized from Winnipeg pool change room
A 37-year-old Winnipeg man has been charged with multiple offences after videos filmed in a public pool change room were seized by police.
-
Winnipeg School Division apologizes over message displayed during professional development day
The superintendent of the Winnipeg School Division (WSD) has apologized over a message displayed during a professional development day on Wednesday.
Atlantic
-
Thanksgiving weekend both wet and windy for the Maritimes
It's not the most auspicious Thanksgiving weather for the Maritimes as a series of low pressure systems and weather fronts move through the region bringing inclement weather.
-
Maritime gas prices jump ahead of Thanksgiving long weekend
Maritime motorists are paying more at the pumps ahead of the Thanksgiving long weekend after the price of gas and diesel jumped significantly overnight.
-
Two Ontario sisters fly to Newfoundland after mother loses $20K to romance scam
Two sisters from Ontario travelled to Newfoundland to spend time with their mom after they learned she lost $20,000 to a romance scam.
N.L.
-
'Crack houses' across rural Newfoundland? RCMP has no reports supporting MP's claim
A Conservative MP from Newfoundland and Labrador says some small towns in his rural riding are overrun with crime, but police say they haven't received reports to that effect.
-
Self-identifying Indigenous group got $74M in federal cash, Inuit leader wants change
As millions in federal funding flow into a Labrador group whose claims of Inuit identity have been rejected by Indigenous organizations across Canada, a national Inuit leader worries the Liberal government is putting the rights of Indigenous Peoples at risk.
-
Marathon goat: Animal runner wins hearts and a medal after crashing Newfoundland race
He may not have logged the fastest time or even gone the full distance, but residents of a Newfoundland town agree the goat who unexpectedly joined the local weekend half marathon was the event's undisputed champion.
Edmonton
-
2nd Edmonton daycare closed after failing to meet licencing requirements
For the second day in a row, the province announced on Friday the closure of a daycare in Edmonton.
-
It's a girl: Edmonton Oilers' Evander Kane prepares for baby #4
The Edmonton Oilers off-ice family is once again expanding as winger Evander Kane prepares for baby number four.
-
Epcor to keep invasive goldfish out of river by pumping water out of pond
There are more developments involving goldfish at an Edmonton stormwater pond.
Calgary
-
Fatal shooting in Forest Lawn under investigation
Police say they are on the hunt for a suspect after a man died in hospital after being shot in Forest Lawn.
-
Police looking for $28K in medical equipment stolen from Porsche
Calgary police are looking for thousands of dollars worth of medical equipment that was stolen out of a vehicle in the northwest community of Montgomery in September.
-
Unemployment in Alberta jumps to 7.5 per cent in September
Alberta's jobless rate is now the second highest in Canada.
Regina
-
Here's a complete candidate list for Regina's upcoming civic, school board elections
Regina will vote for a new mayor, city council and public and separate school board trustees on Nov. 13.
-
Sask. Party vows to keep small business tax rate at 1 per cent
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe says if given the opportunity to form government again, his party would keep the small business tax rate at one per cent.
-
'Break in the cooling trend': Jobs report tops economists' expectations in September
The Canadian labour market exceeded many economists' expectations in September, adding more than twice as many jobs as the previous month while unemployment ticked lower.
Saskatoon
-
Former Sask. Party MLA and Saskatoon mayoral hopeful denies ties to controversial private school
Emails obtained by CTV News show a Saskatoon private school embroiled in abuse allegations considered mayoral hopeful Gord Wyant a "friend," but he says he cut off contact when the allegations came to light.
-
Saskatoon firefighters forced to retreat due to intense heat of basement blaze
A basement fire in Saskatoon's Mayfair neighbourhood briefly had crews on their back foot on Thursday night, as the area became too hot to work inside.
-
Saskatoon votes: Who's running in the civic election?
Saskatoon's civic election is inching closer, as candidates are now finalized ahead of voting day on Nov. 13.
Vancouver
-
B.C. travellers urged to pack patience amid busy long weekend
It’s expected to be very busy on the roads, at border crossings, and aboard BC Ferries on Friday as British Columbians begin their long weekend plans.
-
'Visibly exhausted' rogue deer in B.C. city chased by dogs, saved by RCMP
A rogue deer that wandered into Richmond, B.C., and was hounded by canines in a local dog park has been rescued and returned safely to its natural habitat.
-
B.C. Muslim Association calls for Conservative candidate’s removal over racist remarks
There are growing calls for the B.C. Conservative Party to remove a candidate over racist remarks he made about Muslims and Palestinians on social media years ago.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. Muslim Association calls for Conservative candidate’s removal over racist remarks
There are growing calls for the B.C. Conservative Party to remove a candidate over racist remarks he made about Muslims and Palestinians on social media years ago.
-
B.C. travellers urged to pack patience amid busy long weekend
It’s expected to be very busy on the roads, at border crossings, and aboard BC Ferries on Friday as British Columbians begin their long weekend plans.
-
Young voters flag affordability as top issue ahead of B.C. election
When B.C. voters make their way to the polls on Oct. 19, affordability is sure to be top of mind, particularly for some young people.
