GOOD FORTUNE (2025)

Genre: Comedy
Director: Aziz Ansari
Cast: Aziz Ansari, Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, Sandra Oh, Keke Palmer, Sherry Cola, Stephen McKinley Henderson
Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins
Rating: NC16 (Some Drug Use and Coarse Language)
Released By: Encore Films
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 16 October 2025

Synopsis: Good Fortune follows Gabriel (Keanu Reeves), a clumsy budget guardian angel who swaps the lives of a struggling gig worker, Arj (Aziz Ansari), and his wealthy boss, Jeff (Seth Rogen), to teach them a lesson. The plan backfires when Arj thrives in luxury and Jeff gains unexpected perspective from hardship. As chaos unfolds, Gabriel loses his wings and is forced to live on Earth alongside Jeff. The film blends comedy and heart while exploring themes of class, purpose, and modern values.

Movie Review:

When he’s not playing a deadly assassin, Keanu Reeves trades his guns for wings as Gabriel, a low-ranking, budget guardian angel. Reeves is easily the highlight of Good Fortune, Aziz Ansari’s self-written, directed, and starring comedy about life lessons, happiness and the struggles of modern living.

Tired of saving careless mortals who text and drive, Gabriel yearns for a greater purpose — saving lost souls. His next assignment is Arj (Ansari), a man who has lost his job, apartment, and dignity, now reduced to living out of his car and scraping by as a gig worker. Hoping to teach Arj the value of a meaningful life, Gabriel arranges for him to swap lives with his wealthy former boss, tech mogul Jeff (Seth Rogen).

As expected, Gabriel’s naive plan backfires spectacularly. Arj quickly embraces his newfound wealth, convinced that money is the cure for all his problems while the only way to reverse the deal is for him to willingly return to his old life. Meanwhile, Gabriel is punished for meddling — demoted to live as a mortal after his heavenly boss, Martha (Sandra Oh), strips away his angelic wings.

Ansari’s directorial debut is a mixed bag. The film offers a solid premise with meaningful ideas about class, privilege, and the pursuit of happiness. It empathetically highlights the hardships of blue-collar workers — those juggling multiple jobs yet still unable to afford a decent home. Beneath the humor, there’s a sincere attempt to ask: What does it really mean to live a fulfilled life?

A now-human Gabriel finds joy in simple pleasures — chicken nuggets, milkshakes and salsa dancing but for characters like Arj and Jeff, satisfaction is far more complicated. Reeves shines in these moments; his performance as the well-intentioned but clueless angel brings warmth and understated comedy. The film could have benefited from focusing more on his character, who easily steals every scene he’s in. Watching Reeves’ fallen angel navigate human messiness — eating burgers, chain-smoking and all is pure delight.

Ansari and Rogen, longtime friends off-screen, share solid chemistry as the “trading places” duo. Arj’s moral descent into greed contrasts well with Jeff’s awakening to the harsh realities of working-class life. Their arcs are predictable but engaging enough to sustain the story. A mild romantic subplot involving Arj and Elena (Keke Palmer) adds a touch of sweetness, though it feels unnecessary and could have been trimmed without much loss.

Ultimately, Good Fortune isn’t the laugh-out-loud comedy one might expect from Ansari or Rogen. There are no raunchy gags, celebrity cameos or over-the-top moments just a surprisingly earnest, safe and occasionally funny film with its heart in the right place.

Movie Rating:

(A well-meaning, feel-good dramedy with gentle humor and a standout performance from Keanu Reeves as a hapless angel trying to make sense of humanity. Don’t expect big laughs but you might leave with a small smile)

Review by Linus Tee