Good Fortune Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

With Seth Rogen’s comedic ease & Keanu Reeves channelling a wonderfully angelic, Ted-esque simpleton, Good Fortune delivers an effortlessly breezy, feel-good flick.

Genre: Comedy / Fantasy

Director: Aziz Ansari

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Aziz Ansari, Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh, Felipe Garcia Martinez, Sherry Cola, Matt Rogers, Wil Sylvince & Stephen McKinley Henderson.

Run Time: 98 min.

US Release: 17 October 2025

UK Release: 17 October 2025

German Release: 16 October 2025

Keanu Reeves in a comedy, playing a higher-power being who teaches valuable life lessons? Sign me up! From the moment the first trailer dropped, I was instantly sold on the premise, avoiding all further marketing so I could experience it as fresh as possible. With Aziz Ansari helming his official directorial debut, this turned out to be an easy, fun ride that entertains throughout, offering a couple of solid chuckles. That said, one can’t shake the feeling that something is missing. So, strap on your wings as we soar through my review of Good Fortune.

Gabriel is a well-meaning but rather inept angel who wants nothing more than to save a lost soul and earn himself a bigger set of wings. Believing Arj to be one of those struggling humans, he meddles in his life, inadvertently setting off a chain of events he couldn’t predict.

After shelving Being Mortal in 2022, Ansari’s first intended directorial debut, the artist refocused, expressing a desire to move forward with a project that would address issues that are taboo to discuss openly, however, would ultimately be relatable to the mass public. The concept of struggling in life proved to be a perfect example of this.

First of all, this is a bromance through and through. The narrative can be a bit too cute at times for a straight comedy; there are a few loud chuckles, but never true belly-laughs. Still, it’s not aiming for that kind of humour, working well enough for what it wants to be.

Surprisingly, the film leans into more dramatic beats than expected, weaving in a sincere message about the value of life: no matter your social standing or streak of bad luck, life is still worth living, and you owe it to yourself to see how things play out. This comes through an inventive twist on the “body-swap” subgenre, as Gabriel’s angelic mishap can’t be undone unless Arj learns his lesson, choosing to switch back. It also tackles the current economic struggles of the working class, as well as the instability of the gig economy.

Interestingly, it doesn’t try to sugarcoat its point by pretending that money holds no value. Yes, it does pick up that familiar “money can’t buy happiness” line, though it also acknowledges that money can make an unfavourable situation much easier to navigate.

As for issues, the movie suffers from very uneven pacing because it tries to juggle too many subplots. The runtime is only 98 minutes, yet it somehow feels well over two hours. It also lead-flips in the second act, inadvertently pushing aside its main character for a more compelling point of view from another persona. The romantic side-arc brings up interesting themes, though it is ultimately wasted as a whole.

Most of the gags in the dialogue work well; some inevitably fall flat. The best moments come from Reeves’ emotionally naïve yet dry delivery, which gives the humour an extra kick.  Unexpectedly, the conversations can be genuinely touching at times.

Aziz Ansari gives a solid performance as Arj, a struggling labourer in the gig market. He is genuinely relatable, especially during the first act, where he awkwardly, though sweetly, attempts to serenade Palmer’s Elena. Unfortunately, this changes once he switches roles with tech mogul Jeff. From that point on, Ansari plays what feels like his stand-up's “greatest hits.”

Seth Rogen plays Jeff, the wealthy-turned-struggling startup investor, who swaps lives with Arj. Rogen brings his usual archetypal charm to the role, which works well enough for this premise. Jeff’s evolving character arc ends up outshining the lead around the second act, as his newfound struggle becomes more relatable than Arj’s sudden, cushy lifestyle.

Keanu Reeves is the story's beating heart. His character, Gabriel, is a loveable doofus eager to prove himself as a more capable guardian. His newfound love for human pleasures, once he gets demoted, is downright endearing. Reeves was absolutely the right casting choice, channelling his inner Ted, as he plays this “fish-out-of-water” persona with stoic sincerity, and it is hilarious.

Keke Palmer is, sadly, completely underused as the romantic interest. She shines in the little screen time she obtains; nonetheless, it’s not enough to elevate a thinly written character who mostly functions as a simple plot device.

Other supporting cast members, such as Sarah Oh, are similarly underdeveloped, making brief appearances either to progress the narrative or serve as humorous gimmicks.

The cinematography by Adam Newport-Berra effectively highlights each scene’s purpose, using meaningful lighting plus fitting colour palettes, along with deliberate camera tracking movements during intense discussion, and more intimate framing during romantic or emotional segments. Unfortunately, the film's matte texture can make it feel closer to a “Hallmark” or “made-for-television” production. Some of the pacing issues stem from the poor decision to edit time jumps like a montage sequence, undercutting momentum.

Good Fortune doesn’t lean on big visual effects, instead relying on down-to-earth costumes and makeup that align with the feature’s lighthearted, fun identity. The creative use of editing cuts adds a touch of divine charm to its atmosphere.

While Carter Burwell’s score can sound whimsical, it also veers into sounding somewhat cheap during emotional payoffs. As for the Sound design, it stays restrained. 

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Verdict: Aziz Ansari’s directorial debut is an honest, fun experience, elevated by sweet sentimental notes and a brilliant deadpan performance from Keanu Reeves. The screenplay weaves in sharp critiques of the gig economy, its struggling workers, as well as the wealthy people on top, who profit from their hardships. It also delivers a positive message about not giving up - that life is always worth living - while acknowledging that, while money isn't everything, it certainly helps to create comfort. The performances are solid across the board, though Seth Rogen’s Jeff ends up with a far more compelling second-act arc than Arj, our supposed lead. The cinematography is mostly good; however, its texture, paired with the playful score, can make it feel cheap at times. Severe pacing issues also hold it back. Still, this feel-good comedy’s flaws never fully hinder its charm. I had a blast with Good Fortune, even if it left me with the lingering sense that something was missing. It absolutely deserves a 7.0 out of 10.

So, did you like this new comedy by Aziz Ansari? Leave a comment below to let me know. Thank you all, as always, for reading! If you like the content, please share, like & subscribe!