Actor and comedian Aziz Ansari steps into the director’s chair with his debut film Good Fortune. Following the troubled production of Being Mortal, Good Fortune had a much smoother process following the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and Aziz delivers a safe but fun film.
Good Fortune stars director and writer Aziz Ansari as Arj, a low income resident of Los Angeles struggling to make it day by day doing odd task jobs for people. When he becomes acquainted with billionaire entrepreneur Jeff (Seth Rogen), Arj envies Jeff’s perfect lifestyle in the hopes of being just like him. When a guardian angel named Gabriel (Keanu Reeves) grants him time to walk in Jeff’s shoes and swap lives with him, he soon sees what it feels like to not have to struggle. But is money all what he hoped it would solve?
Good Fortune, while playing it safe, is a commentary on the struggles of the working class, making it day by day while the rich and wealthy are living stress-free with their riches. Rogen’s character Jeff lives in his closed bubble that he can waste how much food he wants, how much money, and have no care in the world about losing it all. Aziz’s character lives in his car (literally), works as a task taker and part-time at the local hardware store and is too ashamed to tell his dad who is far away. Jeff gets to experience Arj’s life and vice versa and experience the hardships he endured, though with no memory of his current life, which isn’t really explained.
Keanu’s Gabriel was a highlight of the film. I might be biased because I am a fan of him, but every time his presence graced the screen, I could not help but be happy. Aziz’s Arj channels what a lot of us are feeling and felt the most grounded. Whether that was intentional or not is left to you to decide, but it works in the film’s favour. Much like not feeling much for Jeff when he starts to walk a mile in Arj’s shoes.
Good Fortune does however still have its faults. There are moments that made the less than 100 minute runtime feel cramped at times. The romance subplot between Arj and Elena (Keke Palmer) doesn’t have a whole development and is there. It comes and goes, and it is forgettable without expanding much on the subplot.
While this is Aziz Ansari’s debut as a director, Being Mortal was initially the first film he signed on as a director but due to production controversies and setbacks, the film has been tentatively shelved. The fear of having another Being Mortal situation is felt during moments of the movie, which is felt by the safe tone that the film keeps up to the end. There aren’t really many obstacles that could have been explored.
Good Fortune has its flaws and plays it safe, but I still did have fun. When the film hits, it hits and the trio of leads are fun to watch. In the end it does make you thankful which is one goal the film accomplishes as well as cravings for tacos.
Watch the trailer right here.
All images via Lionsgate.
Directed by Aziz Ansari
Screenplay by Aziz Ansari
Produced by Aziz Ansari, Anthony Katagas, Alan Yang
Starring Aziz Ansari, Seth Rogen, Keanu Reeves, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh
Premiere Date: September 6, 2025 (Toronto)
Running Time: 97 minutes
Cinema from the Spectrum 
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