Good Fortune: Keanu Reeves Is Pure Gold in Aziz Ansari's New Comedy

Aziz Ansari's feature directorial debut, Good Fortune, is a surprising body-swap comedy that blends laughs with sharp social commentary, featuring a stand-out performance from Keanu Reeves as a hilariously bewildered angel.

TL;DR

• Aziz Ansari (who also directs and co-writes) stars as Arj, a gig worker who swaps lives with a rich tech bro (Seth Rogen) thanks to a well-meaning but naive angel (Keanu Reeves).
• The film is praised for its humor, insight into wealth inequality, and Keanu Reeves' "doofus persona," which critics are calling some of his best work.
• It hit theaters on October 17, 2025, and uniquely garnered a matching 78% on both the critics' and audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes, a rare feat!

Dive Into the Story: When an Angel Decides to Play "Freaky Friday" with Fortunes

Alright, movie buffs, let's talk about Good Fortune! This isn't just your average body-swap comedy; it's Aziz Ansari's big-screen directorial debut, and he's brought some serious star power along for the ride. We're talking Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen, folks!

The premise is pretty wild: Arj (played by Ansari) is a struggling gig worker in Los Angeles, just trying to make ends meet in a world where rent feels impossible. Enter Gabriel (Keanu Reeves), a well-meaning but delightfully naive guardian angel whose main job usually involves stopping people from texting and driving. Gabriel sees Arj as a "lost soul" and decides he needs a life lesson: money doesn't buy happiness. So, he orchestrates a switcheroo, swapping Arj's life with that of Jeff (Seth Rogen), a mega-wealthy, out-of-touch tech investor.

Sounds like a classic setup, right? But here's the twist: Arj discovers that, actually, having ridiculous riches does solve most of his problems, and he's not exactly eager to switch back. This sends Gabriel's cosmic plan into chaos, leading to him being demoted to human form and forced to navigate the very earthly struggles he thought he was above. It's a hilarious, insightful mess that challenges what we think we know about "good fortune."

Keanu Reeves' Divine Performance as the Adorable Angel Gabriel

While Ansari and Rogen bring their signature comedic chops, it's Keanu Reeves who truly steals the show. Critics are absolutely raving about his portrayal of Gabriel, calling it "some of the best work of his career." He leans into his beloved "doofus persona" to create an angel who is utterly charming, earnest, and completely out of his depth in the human world.

Imagine this: an ethereal being, used to divine responsibilities, suddenly experiencing the mundane (and sometimes infuriating) realities of human life for the first time. We're talking about Gabriel getting his mind blown by milkshakes and tacos, learning to dance cumbia, and trying to comprehend things like taxes and Social Security. One particularly memorable moment sees him, after being criticized for smoking, snapping, "Leave me alone, I like it, it's all I have!" It’s pure comedic gold delivered with Reeves' signature deadpan brilliance.

His performance is a masterclass in subtle, slow-burning frustration and wide-eyed wonder, making Gabriel the undeniable heart and soul of the film. You really feel fortunate just to witness him in this role.

"Reeves is so funny, so sublime, and so fucking spot-on in his portrayal of a do-gooder whose genius plan goes off the rails that he ends up slipping the movie into his Constantine-style overcoat pocket and walking away with it. He’s doing some of the best work of his career here."

— David Fear, Rolling Stone

Digging Deeper: Exploring Wealth, Work, and Unexpected Details

Beyond the laughs, Good Fortune isn't afraid to tackle some heavier themes. It's a surprisingly politically engaged film, delving into wealth inequality, the housing crisis, and the struggles of the gig economy. The movie uses its fantasy setup to offer sharp commentary on modern society, asking tough questions about what true "good fortune" really means.

A huge shout-out goes to Keke Palmer, who plays Elena, a hardware store worker and union organizer. She's been hailed as the film's "secret weapon," bringing a "luminescent" and grounded presence to the story as Arj's love interest. Her subplot, focusing on unionizing workers, provides a strong counterpoint to the film's broader observations on capitalism.

The Little Co-Stars You Didn't Know You Needed: Watches!

Here's a fun fact that watch enthusiasts will absolutely love: the timepieces in Good Fortune are not just accessories; they're integral to the storytelling! Cameron Barr, owner of Craft + Tailored and a vintage watch dealer, served as the film's horological advisor and even ended up playing himself on screen. He worked closely with Ansari to select watches that reflect the characters' egos, insecurities, and tastes.

• The "Hero" Watch: A 1978 yellow gold Rolex Daytona Ref. 6263, affectionately nicknamed "Pretty Baby." This is considered a "holy grail" among collectors.
• The Daily Driver: A 1978 Rolex GMT-Master "Pepsi" Ref. 1675.
• The Storyteller: Aziz Ansari's own Seiko SKX007, which swaps wrists between Arj and Jeff, visually cueing their inner journeys and who is "grounded."

Barr ensured that even Jeff's fictional watch box was filled with real vintage and modern Rolexes, Patek Philippes, and independents like Trilobe, creating a true collector's dream. He was even on set for every watch scene, protecting valuable pieces – like a $250,000 watch during an action sequence!

A Rare Alignment: Critics and Audiences Both Charmed by This Comedy

In a rare alignment, Good Fortune has managed to impress both critics and audiences, earning a matching 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes! This is pretty uncommon, as often critics and general moviegoers have vastly different opinions on films, especially comedies.

While some reviewers noted the film could be "preachy" or a "downer" in moments, the general consensus praises its "funny, sharp, and sweet" nature. Many were surprised by its depth and "anti-capitalist bent," expecting a lighter fare. Despite "middling box office results" ($2.4 million on opening day across nearly 3,000 locations), the critical and audience reception suggests a strong word-of-mouth potential.

The film’s journey to the big screen is also interesting: it actually rose from the ashes of Ansari’s previously canceled movie, Being Mortal, with Keke Palmer and Seth Rogen being holdovers from that original project. Talk about some good fortune!

Addressing the Elephant in the Room: Ansari's Off-Screen Context and the Film's Message

It's worth acknowledging that some critics have brought up a notable context surrounding Aziz Ansari that adds a layer of complexity to the film's themes. One reviewer, Stacy Nguyen from Northwest Asian Weekly, pointed out the irony of Ansari, a wealthy comedian, making a film about wealth inequality and the struggles of the "everyman," especially after he performed at the Riyadh Comedy Festival ("Saudi blood money") shortly before the film's release.

This criticism suggests a perceived hypocrisy, questioning the sincerity of the film's "anti-capitalist" message when viewed through the lens of Ansari's recent actions. While this doesn't diminish the film's artistic merits or the performances within it, it's a part of the conversation for some viewers and critics, highlighting how real-world actions can influence the reception of art.

Final Thoughts on Whether You Should Seek Your Own "Good Fortune" at the Movies

So, should you check out Good Fortune? If you're looking for a comedy that's more than just surface-level laughs, offering a surprisingly thoughtful take on modern societal issues, then absolutely. It's a unique blend of fantasy, humor, and social commentary that truly comes to life thanks to its stellar cast, especially Keanu Reeves' unforgettable performance as the earnest angel Gabriel.

It might make you think a bit, but it will definitely make you smile. Plus, who doesn't want to see Keanu Reeves discover the joy of a milkshake for the first time?

Good Fortune Movie FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered When did Good Fortune hit theaters? Good Fortune was released in theaters on October 17, 2025. Who stars in Good Fortune? The film features Aziz Ansari as Arj, Keanu Reeves as Gabriel, Seth Rogen as Jeff, Keke Palmer as Elena, Sandra Oh as Martha, and Stephen McKinley Henderson as Azrael. What is Good Fortune about? It's a body-swap comedy where a struggling gig worker (Aziz Ansari) swaps lives with a wealthy tech investor (Seth Rogen), orchestrated by a guardian angel (Keanu Reeves) trying to teach a lesson about happiness and money. Things get complicated when the "poor" character finds being rich isn't so bad after all. Will Good Fortune be available on streaming soon? As of its theatrical release, the movie is "not yet available for streaming." Keep an eye out for future announcements regarding digital or streaming platforms. Sources

• Robb Report (Abby Montanez)
• NPR (Linda Holmes, Aisha Harris, Brittany Luse, Carly Rubin, Janae Morris, Mike Katzif, Jessica Reedy)
• Empire (Sophie Butcher)
• IGN (Matt Fowler)
• Collider (Rahul Malhotra)
• Washington Post (Siddhant Adlakha)
• Rolling Stone (David Fear)
• WCBE (John DeSando, Mary Yerina)
• Northwest Asian Weekly (Stacy Nguyen)