Good Fortune, the upcoming comedy film directed by and starring Aziz Ansari, is set to premiere in theaters nationwide on October 17, 2025. The film, which marks Ansari’s feature directorial debut, stars Keanu Reeves as a well-intentioned but bumbling angel, alongside Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer, and Sandra Oh. After its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025, the film has generated positive early reviews, particularly for Reeves’ performance as the angel Gabriel.
What Is Good Fortune About?
The story centers on Gabriel (Keanu Reeves), a “budget guardian angel” whose responsibilities include preventing people from texting while driving or saving them from choking. When he encounters Arj (Aziz Ansari), a struggling gig worker living out of his car, Gabriel attempts to prove that wealth does not guarantee happiness. He orchestrates a body swap between Arj and his wealthy employer, Jeff (Seth Rogen), a tech mogul living a life of luxury in Bel Air. However, the plan backfires when Arj embraces his new life of privilege, causing Gabriel to lose his wings and be stranded on Earth. The situation escalates as the cosmic balance begins to unravel, forcing Gabriel to navigate human life while trying to fix the chaos he created.
The film explores themes of economic inequality, the gig economy, and the pursuit of happiness in modern society. Ansari drew inspiration from classic films like It’s a Wonderful Life and Trading Places, blending fantasy with social commentary. The setting of Los Angeles plays a key role, highlighting contrasts between wealth and struggle through its portrayal of gentrification, food delivery robots, and the housing crisis.
Who Is in the Cast?
The ensemble cast features several well-known actors in pivotal roles:
- Keanu Reeves as Gabriel, an angel who loses his wings after his plan to teach a lesson about happiness fails. Reeves brings a blend of earnestness and comedic timing to the role, which has been praised as one of the film’s highlights.
- Aziz Ansari as Arj, a down-on-his-luck gig worker who suddenly finds himself living the life of a billionaire. Ansari also serves as the writer and director of the film.
- Seth Rogen as Jeff, the wealthy socialite whose life is swapped with Arj’s. Rogen’s character embodies excess, with a mansion, wild parties, and a penchant for ayahuasca ceremonies.
- Keke Palmer as Elena, a hardware store employee and love interest of Arj, who is fighting to unionize her workplace.
- Sandra Oh as Martha, Gabriel’s angelic superior who strips him of his wings after his failed mission.
- Stephen McKinley Henderson as Azrael, another angelic figure in the hierarchy of the film’s universe.
- Sherry Cola in a supporting role as Linda, a character who expresses attraction to Gabriel.
The casting process began in April 2023, with Reeves and Rogen joining early in development. Ansari and Rogen, longtime friends, collaborated closely on the script, incorporating ideas such as Jeff’s sauna and cold plunge routines. Palmer was confirmed to have joined the cast in January 2024, shortly before filming began.
Production Challenges and Delays
The production of Good Fortune faced several setbacks. Initially scheduled to start filming in May 2023, the project was delayed due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. Principal photography eventually began in January 2024 in Los Angeles, with locations including Griffith Park Observatory and various parts of the city that emphasize economic disparities.
Two weeks into filming, Keanu Reeves sustained a knee injury after tripping in his trailer, fracturing his patella “like a potato chip.” The incident led to widespread concern on social media, with the hashtag #GetWellSoonKeanu trending. Despite the injury, Reeves continued to shoot most of his scenes, with only a salsa dancing sequence and additional pickups delayed until after his recovery. The majority of filming was completed by April 2024, and the project entered post-production shortly afterward.
The film is produced by Anthony Katagas, Alan Yang, and Aziz Ansari, with production companies including Garam Films, Oh Brudder Productions, Keep Your Head, and Yang Pictures. Lionsgate is distributing the film, with Carter Burwell composing the score.
Early Reviews and Reception
Early reviews from the Toronto International Film Festival premiere have been positive. Critics have praised Reeves’ performance as both endearing and hilarious, noting that his portrayal of Gabriel adds depth to the comedic premise. The film’s blend of social commentary and humor has been described as timely, though some reviews noted that the messaging can be heavy-handed at times. The dynamic between Ansari and Rogen has also been highlighted as a strength, with their comedic chemistry driving much of the story.
Aziz Ansari, who attended CinemaCon in 2024 to promote the film, explained his motivation for making the project: “I wanted to write about things that everyone is dealing with that no one is talking about.” He emphasized his belief in the viability of theatrical comedies, citing the success of Barbie as inspiration.
Release Details
Good Fortune will be released widely in theaters on October 17, 2025. The film has an R rating for language and some drug use, with a runtime of approximately 97 minutes. It is one of several films scheduled for release on that date, including Pets on a Train and Black Phone 2.
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