Good Fortune isn’t your typical star-powered comedy. It’s a whip-smart satire about class, capitalism, and second chances — filtered through the lives of a gig worker, a venture capitalist, and an angel with a Coldplay obsession. Written and directed by Aziz Ansari, the film stars Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, and Ansari himself in a chaotic and heartfelt look at what happens when you mess with fate.
Set to release globally in October 2025, Good Fortune has already caused a stir thanks to its surreal premise, A-list cast, and culturally sharp themes. Whether you’re a fan of dark comedy, absurdist storytelling, or just curious to see Keanu Reeves in tiny angel wings, this is the cinematic experience that promises laughs and introspection in equal measure.
Plot Breakdown: An Angel, a Worker, and a Capitalist Walk into a Body-Swap
The story revolves around Arj (played by Aziz Ansari), a working-class delivery guy in Los Angeles. Tired, overlooked, and underpaid, Arj is the archetype of the modern gig worker. His boss, Jeff (Seth Rogen), is a cocky, oblivious tech millionaire whose biggest concern is how fast his espresso machine brews.
Watching all this from the heavens is Gabriel (Keanu Reeves), a second-tier angel who’s grown disillusioned with his job, which mostly involves preventing people from texting while driving. When he spots Arj’s despair, Gabriel decides to take matters into his own celestial hands.
His solution? Swap Arj’s life with Jeff’s to show that money doesn’t solve everything. Unfortunately, the plan backfires. Arj quickly adjusts to luxury, power, and parties. Meanwhile, Jeff flounders in the harsh reality of low-wage labour. Gabriel’s meddling doesn’t go unnoticed, and he’s stripped of his wings and cast to Earth to clean up the mess.
Themes That Hit Home
Good Fortune is more than just a supernatural comedy — it’s a mirror held up to 21st-century society. It tackles:
- Wealth inequality: The glaring difference between Jeff’s life of privilege and Arj’s daily grind.
- Gig economy fatigue: From endless food deliveries to dealing with tech-bro bosses.
- Spiritual bureaucracy: Heaven isn’t the peaceful kingdom we imagine — it’s a corporate mess where angels clock in and out.
The film’s clever mix of theology and late-stage capitalism gives it an edge rarely seen in studio comedies.
Who’s Who in the Cast
The cast is stacked with fan-favourites and scene-stealers:
- Keanu Reeves as Gabriel, the angel who takes DIY redemption a bit too far.
- Seth Rogen as Jeff, a wellness-obsessed mogul who thinks kombucha solves everything.
- Aziz Ansari as Arj, the everyman who learns the dangers of sudden upward mobility.
- Keke Palmer plays Elena, Arj’s friend and potential love interest, a spirited union organiser with no time for capitalist nonsense.
- Sandra Oh joins the divine cast as Martha, a bureaucratic angel who demotes Gabriel for tampering with the mortal world.
- Supporting roles include Sherry Cola and Stephen McKinley Henderson, rounding out an ensemble that blends comedy with gravitas.
From Setbacks to Showtime
Production for Good Fortune was originally slated for 2023 but was postponed due to the Writers Guild of America strike. Filming began in earnest in January 2024 in Los Angeles. Keanu Reeves reportedly injured his knee on set early into filming but recovered quickly to complete his scenes.
Now fully wrapped, the film is preparing for its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025, with a theatrical release following on 17 October 2025.
A Vision Behind the Camera
This marks Aziz Ansari’s directorial debut on a major cinematic scale. Known for Master of None and his stand-up specials, Ansari brings a unique blend of introspection and absurdist humour to the project. His writing style leans into irony and self-awareness while grounding each moment in emotional truth.
Inspired by films like Being John Malkovich and series like The Good Place, Ansari’s Good Fortune treads the delicate line between morality tale and cosmic comedy.
Visual Ideas for What’s Hot in UAE
For visual storytelling, we suggest the following image concepts:
- Heaven vs Earth Collage: A split image of Keanu’s Gabriel with wings vs. Keanu in a hoodie, wingless and miserable.
- Modern Purgatory Infographic: A flowchart showing Arj’s life as a gig worker — app pings, cancellations, customer complaints, and delayed tips.
- “Who Wore Capitalism Best?” Side-by-side stills of Jeff pre-swap and Arj in Jeff’s clothes, sipping champagne poolside.
- Illustrated Angel Bureaucracy: Think a celestial DMV staffed by tired angels with clipboards and coffee.
Each visual element should lean into both surrealism and realism — contrasting clouds and chaos, golden halos and greasy pizza boxes.
Will It Land in UAE Cinemas?
Absolutely. With a global release set for October 17, 2025, Good Fortune is confirmed for wide theatrical distribution. In the UAE, expect to see it showing across VOX Cinemas, Reel Cinemas, and possibly Cinépolis.
It’s poised to resonate well with younger UAE audiences — particularly expats and locals familiar with hustle culture, class commentary, and cheeky humour.
Keanu + Comedy = Cult Classic?
Keanu Reeves is no stranger to action (John Wick), sci-fi (The Matrix), or surreal philosophy (A Scanner Darkly), but seeing him in a comedic role like Gabriel has fans hyped. His deadpan delivery is reportedly hilarious, especially in scenes where he’s adjusting to Earth life — struggling to order food on an app or take the metro.
Seth Rogen brings his signature mix of arrogance and vulnerability, while Ansari’s portrayal of Arj anchors the film with heart and bite.
Early buzz from test screenings suggests the chemistry between the three leads is palpable — and may rival some of the best comedic trios of the decade.
Quotes from the Cast
Aziz Ansari (to Entertainment Weekly):
“It’s a comedy about fate, but more about how the systems we live in shape what we think fate is.”
Seth Rogen (on The Tonight Show):
“I had to do yoga in a glass box for one scene. I still don’t know why. But it works.”
Keanu Reeves (to GQ):
“Gabriel is trying to help… but he’s kind of terrible at it. It’s fun to play an angel with performance anxiety.”
Social Campaigns and UAE Tie-Ins
Consider the following campaign angles:
- #GigToGlory Challenge – Encourage UAE-based content creators to show “before and after” transformations from work stress to “divine lifestyle”.
- Instagram Reel Filters – One that adds angel wings or devil horns; another that overlays motivational quotes from Gabriel.
- Poll: “Would You Swap Lives with Your Boss for a Day?” – Taps into universal worker frustrations.
Could This Be the Next Great Cult Comedy?
In the tradition of films like Office Space, Idiocracy, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Good Fortune aims to become a sleeper hit that lives on long after the credits roll.
Its blend of modern theology, biting class commentary, and painfully familiar work-life struggles makes it uniquely positioned to resonate in today’s world. It’s funny, it’s weird, it’s unexpectedly emotional — and it couldn’t have arrived at a better time.
You asked, we’re tellin’
1. What is the plot of Good Fortune?
It follows a struggling gig worker whose life is swapped with his billionaire boss by a well-meaning but reckless angel, leading to chaos across heaven and Earth.
2. Who directs and stars in Good Fortune?
Aziz Ansari directs and stars as Arj. The cast also includes Keanu Reeves as an angel and Seth Rogen as the wealthy employer.
3. When is Good Fortune releasing in cinemas?
The film will premiere at TIFF in September 2025 and be released globally on October 17, 2025.
4. Will Good Fortune be shown in the UAE?
Yes, it is expected to screen at major UAE theatres, including VOX, Reel, and possibly Cinépolis in October 2025.
