The upcoming sci-fi movie Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die puts a chaotic, comedic spin on the fight against a rogue artificial intelligence. Directed by Gore Verbinski, the film is his first feature in nearly a decade. It features an all-star cast led by Sam Rockwell, who plays a frantic time traveler on a mission to save the world from his base of operations: a late-night Los Angeles diner.
The film had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 24, 2025, and is scheduled for a wide theatrical release in the United States on February 13, 2026. The story follows a scruffy man from the future who bursts into a Norm’s Restaurant, claiming a powerful AI will soon end humanity. He must convince a specific group of diners to join his one-night quest to install safety programming and stop the apocalypse, a mission he has already failed 117 times. Early reviews from festival screenings praise the film’s wild energy, dark humor, and timely commentary on technology.
The Cast of Characters in the Diner
The film assembles a team of unlikely heroes, each with their own complicated relationship with modern technology and society.
Sam Rockwell plays the central figure, known only as the “Man From the Future.” He is described as a scraggly, possibly unhinged character who arrives in a homemade hazmat suit, frantically trying to assemble the right team of strangers. Reviews note his performance is electric and perfectly suited to Verbinski’s chaotic style, blending charm with a sense of manic desperation.
“He’s either civilization’s savior wrapped in plastic sheets and rubber tubs, or the most convincing, unkempt vagrant this side of Skid Row, and that looming question helps keep us on edge,” wrote IGN’s review.
Haley Lu Richardson plays Ingrid, a children’s party host who is violently allergic to technology, suffering physical reactions like nosebleeds when near devices. Juno Temple plays Susan, a heartbroken mother processing the loss of her son to gun violence. Her story takes a dark turn as she encounters a sinister, Apple Store-like facility that claims to help grieving parents.
Michael Peña and Zazie Beetz play teachers who are being hunted by their own students, a consequence of daring to interrupt the kids’ screen time. They are forced to defend themselves with makeshift weapons. The supporting cast includes Asim Chaudhry and Tom Taylor.
Behind the Scenes and Production
The film marks a major return for director Gore Verbinski, known for blockbusters like Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Rango, as well as the horror classic The Ring. The screenplay was written by Matthew Robinson. Principal photography for the movie began in April 2024 and took place in Cape Town, South Africa.
The music is composed by Geoff Zanelli, who has previously worked with Verbinski on the Pirates of the Caribbean films. The cinematographer is James Whitaker, and the film is edited by Craig Wood. The production is a collaboration between several companies, including Constantin Film and 3 Arts Entertainment.
Early Reviews and Audience Reactions
Early critical reception has been strong. On the review site Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 94% approval rating based on initial critic reviews. The movie screened at several festivals in late 2025, including Fantastic Fest and the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Reviews highlight the film’s mix of absurd comedy and bleak social commentary. Peter Debruge of Variety called it “an unapologetically irreverent, wildly inventive, end-is-nigh take on the time-loop movie”. Many note that while the film is a fun adventure, its core message about society’s dependence on technology and the unchecked rise of AI is pointed and serious.
Audience reactions from festival-goers on social media and film sites have been passionate. One viewer on Letterboxd called it “one of the most boldly original and creative sci-fi films I’ve seen in ages,” while another described it as “an insufferable mix of Reddit-ass humor and ‘old man yells at the cloud’ diatribes,” showing the film’s polarizing style.
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Release Schedule for Global Audiences
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die is scheduled for a staggered international release throughout 2026.
- United States and Spain: The movie opens wide on Friday, February 13, 2026.
- United Kingdom and Ireland: The release is set for February 20, 2026.
- Germany: The film arrives in theaters on March 12, 2026.
- Brazil: The release date is April 9, 2026.
The film is distributed in the United States by Briarcliff Entertainment and carries an R rating for pervasive language, violence, some grisly images, and brief sexual content. The runtime is reported to be 134 minutes.
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