20 October
Mindy Sterling: A Life in Laughter and Goodness 
October 20, 2025 Mindy Sterling: A Life in Laughter and Goodness
October 20, 2025 A postmodern leader analysis and the Nobel Peace Prize
October 17, 2025 "ANTAKYA: From Past to Present" Exhibition Opened
October 16, 2025 Turkish Jewish Community´s Message of Gratitude to President Erdođan
October 6, 2025 One Battle After Another - A Cinematic Rebellion
Good Fortune – A Relatable and Philosophical Comedy
November 3, 2025
By Bessy ADUT
Introduction
Good Fortune is one of my favorite movies of 2025. I went to see it after watching the trailer because it featured some of my favorite actors and looked funny. It was funny indeed, but it turned out to be much more than that. The story was incredibly relatable, especially in its portrayal of the working class and the comforts of the wealthy. I appreciated the friendships, the dilemmas each character faced, and the way the film balanced humor with deeper reflections. This is a comedy with heart and philosophical undertones, exploring our current times and the class system. It is emotional while remaining genuinely funny, which makes it a standout film.
Director and Cast
Good Fortune is a 2025 American supernatural comedy written and directed by Aziz Ansari in his feature directorial debut. The film stars Seth Rogen, Aziz Ansari, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh, and Keanu Reeves. It is produced by Garam Films, Oh Brudder Productions, Keep Your Head, and Yang Pictures.
I was curious about the writing process and found out that Ansari wanted to “write about things that everyone is dealing with but no one is talking about,” with struggling in life being a perfect example of this. Beyond serving as a backdrop, he treated Los Angeles as a character in its own right, reflecting its gig economy, proliferation of food delivery robots, gentrification, housing crisis, and homelessness. To capture this world authentically, Ansari conducted research by interviewing gig workers, job-shadowing food delivery drivers, and working in hardware stores. He also drew inspiration from classic films like It’s a Wonderful Life and A Matter of Life and Death (both 1946).
SPOILER ALERT: Plot Summary
I really liked the friendships and the romantic relationship evolving in the story, with each character learning more about themselves and each other. All the actors felt like protagonists of their own story, even when some of them were side characters. I also appreciated the diversity and how cultural differences were honored and celebrated throughout the film. We’ve always heard in the news how kind and genuine Keanu Reeves is, so seeing him play Gabriel, an angel, was especially cute—complete with his little wings and human flaws.
Good Fortune follows Gabriel, a low-ranking guardian angel whose official job is saving people from crashing while texting and driving. However, he aspires to save lost souls, a responsibility of another angel named Azrael. One day, Gabriel saves Arj, an aspiring documentarian who does odd jobs, works part-time at a hardware supply store, and lives in his car. Curious, Gabriel observes Arj for a few days.
Arj begins dating his coworker, Elena, who is attempting to unionize the store. While doing food deliveries, he meets Jeff, a wealthy tech investor, and convinces him to hire him as an assistant. After a costly dinner mishap using Jeff’s company card, Arj gets fired. With his money-making apps banned and his car towed, Arj hits rock bottom. Gabriel shows himself to Arj and presents a vision of his future to inspire hope. When Arj sees wealth as the solution, Gabriel swaps Arj and Jeff’s lives to teach him that money cannot solve everything.
Gabriel’s actions are discovered by Martha, his supervisor, who removes his wings and diminishes his angel powers. After some tension and discussion, Arj reluctantly agrees to switch back, but refuses to help Jeff financially, so Jeff can understand the struggles Arj has lived. As Gabriel tags along with Jeff, they attempt to find income sources and navigate a new human reality.
Meanwhile, Arj and Elena’s relationship struggles due to differing priorities, culminating in a car accident that leaves Arj in a coma. Gabriel is fired and made human, taking a job as a dishwasher and experiencing the challenges of mortality firsthand. Arj fakes memory loss to delay switching back, and Jeff’s desperation leads to attempts to steal Arj’s valuable possessions. Eventually, with lessons learned and trust restored, Arj willingly switches back, inspired by hope rather than guilt.
In the end, Arj returns to his life with renewed purpose: he begins documenting gig workers’ struggles, continues his romantic relationship with Elena, and witnesses Jeff making positive changes for his employees. Gabriel, having gained a deeper understanding of human experience, watches over them. The story beautifully balances humor, philosophical reflections on class and wealth, and emotional growth for all characters.
Production Notes
After the suspension of his original directorial debut Being Mortal at Searchlight Pictures in 2022, Aziz Ansari moved forward with Good Fortune, wanting to make a comedy for theatrical release and inspired by the success of Barbie (2023). Seth Rogen, a longtime friend of Ansari, joined shortly after Being Mortal was shelved and inspired several elements of the film. Filming was initially scheduled for May 2023 but delayed due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. Principal photography began in January 2024 in Los Angeles, with Keke Palmer joining the cast. Most filming wrapped before April 2024, with some scenes completed later after Keanu Reeves recovered from an on-set injury.
Good Fortune premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025, and was released in the United States on October 17, 2025.
Critical Response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 77% of 131 critics’ reviews are positive. The website’s consensus reads: “A promising directorial feature debut by Aziz Ansari, Good Fortune’s socially minded humor is given wings by Keanu Reeves’ heavenly comedic timing.” For Deadline, Pete Hammond writes that the film “captures the highest and lowest economies of Los Angeles” while discussing the gig economy and “delivering laughs.”
Bessy Adut’s 5-Star Recommendation
I give Good Fortune a full 5 stars! From writing, directing, cast, to music—everything is excellent. I recommend this movie, no matter what other critics are saying out there. I know it may not make it to the Academy Awards, but if I could, I would personally hand it one. One final warning: if you see this movie, you’re most likely going to crave some street tacos. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Final Words
I hope this movie brings more empathy to all people, whether they are working or from a more privileged class. It is important to understand one another and find a better balance. I also applaud Aziz Ansari for managing to put so many complex themes in such a simplistic and light manner. It is funny and sad at the same time. However, the moral of the story is beautiful: Happiness is not found in wealth alone, but in our relationships and the kind of person we choose to be.
Related News
29 September
Caught Stealing – Darren Aronofsky´s Crime Comedy with a Tragic Bite
“Caught Stealing is a bruising mix of ridiculous humor and raw emotion, and Aronofsky somehow finds beauty in the chaos.”
18 August
Sketch: A Family Fantasy About Art, Fear, and Courage
Bessy Adut explores the monsters of imagination and the courage to fight them...
14 July
A Cosmic Journey of the Heart: "Elio"
Pixar´s spacebound hero tackles isolation, identity, and the search for belonging...
