Good Fortune
Studio: Lionsgate
Director: Aziz Ansari
Oct 19, 2025
Aziz Ansari tackles the capitalistic hellscape, burnout, and the will for self-actualization on this surprisingly heartfelt comedy. Good Fortune, on its floor, gives the look of a jokester comedy with Ansari and Seth Rogen main the cost alongside Kiki Palmer and Keanu Reeves. In some way, simmering beneath its situational comedy and offbeat dialogue lies an observational compulsion to look at the state of the world. Viewers might depart the theater shocked at how thought-provoking it really is and what they will do to impression the world round them. It’s additionally simply an entertaining journey!
Gabriel is the unfulfilled guardian angel of texting and driving, whiling away his existence defending folks from fender benders. His need to turn out to be a better angel beneath the guiding hand of Martha (Sandra Oh) leads him instantly into the trail of fellow misplaced soul Arj (Ansari), a person who simply can’t catch a break after the financial downturn post-college. Arj works menial duties day in and day trip for ungrateful folks whereas sleeping in his automobile each evening, hoping for the chance to raise himself. Arj meets the charming Elena (Kiki Palmer), a co-worker needing to enhance working circumstances for herself and others, in distinction to Arj’s apathy.
A singular alternative to work as an assistant to the prosperous Jeff (Rogen) reveals Arj the approach to life of a Silicon Valley tech mogul who needs for nothing, in ignorance of the widespread individual. After Arj is abruptly fired, Gabriel breaks protocol and switches Arj and Jeff’s lives to show Arj a lesson about discovering the enjoyment in his personal existence. Sadly, Gabriel discovers that this has considerably improved Arj’s life, and his ward has no need to return (which is baked into the angel guidelines). After being stripped of his angelic powers, Gabriel restores Jeff’s reminiscences of his prior life to encourage Arj to vary again.
“I gave this to him to indicate that cash received’t clear up all his issues… Cash appears to have solved most of his issues.”
Ansari writes an enthralling and observational tackle the gig financial system and the way it impacts the Millennial spirit. Good Fortune doesn’t conceal the truth that it’s a social commentary on the challenges confronted by the working class in a late-stage capitalist financial system, deftly exploring the way it impacts people on all ranges — together with the wealthy. Whereas Arj struggles simply to outlive from minute to minute, Elena performs the playing cards she’s dealt and deeply needs to be the change she needs to see. Jeff, conversely, lacks self-awareness of his privilege or the life cash buys for him, believing himself to be self-made regardless of being born into an upper-class household with capital. Exploration isn’t just restricted to the human characters, with Gabriel portrayed as a disenchanted angel with a gradual job however worn down by the menial duties he should carry out. The most effective a part of the narrative is that it’s as deep or as hilarious as one needs.
Ansari blends among the greatest features of his Grasp of None sequence to inform a touching story that blossoms throughout its runtime. By no means taking the time to hammer the negativity of the present state of the world, the movie typically facilities on Gabriel’s newly found human life and his pleasure in what’s in entrance of him, even when it’s as minor as genuine tacos. It is a sensible alternative, as Reeves will get to interrupt from his present motion part and return to his preliminary comedic roots, turning into an endearing, if considerably dopey, angel audiences will love. All the items of this movie match collectively completely.
Arj’s journey is performed with a stage of nihilism from Ansari, delivered with heartbreakingly self-deprecating comedy. His written dialogue and observations of the world are punctuated with gut-busting gags. It’s good to see him in a number one position after a while away. Rogen’s typecast because the loud and coarse character meshes completely with Jeff’s blissful ignorance, resulting in some nice character moments and a little bit of progress. Kiki Palmer is superb in each scene she inhabits, delivering persistence with the heat of a sophisticated soul. Her position may very well be understated — and really a lot wanted.
Whereas not a future basic, Good Fortune delivers on all fronts—from characters to comedy—proper right down to its casting selections. Its biting commentary is blended with a private heat that we don’t typically see from people with a rich way of life, indicating that Ansari himself isn’t unfamiliar with tribulations. The writing explores quite a few features of society in an impressively tight runtime, clocking in at simply over 90 minutes. Like most angelic tales, this one’s a blessing in disguise—one which viewers are unlikely to remorse giving an opportunity.
Writer ranking: 8/10
