Directed by Aziz Ansari.
Good Fortune was released on October 17, 2025 in the United States.
Distributed by Lionsgate.
Movie Review
Good Fortune (2025) is a fun and heartfelt comedy about life, luck, and what really matters.
Aziz Ansari stars as Arj, an everyday worker whose life gets magically swapped with a wealthy investor, played by Seth Rogen, thanks to a mistake by a well-meaning angel (Keanu Reeves).
What follows is a mix of humor, heart, and life lessons about happiness and success.
The movie is full of funny moments, great chemistry between the cast, and a feel-good message about appreciating what you have.
While some parts move a bit slowly, it’s still an enjoyable and smart story with plenty of warmth and charm.
Ratings
• IMDb: 6.9/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 77%
• Google Audience Score: 58% liked this movie.
Good Fortune Actors
Keanu Reeves as Gabriel
DOB: September 2, 1964.
Bio: Canadian actor and producer whose career spans blockbuster action franchises, indie dramas, and heartfelt comedies.
Known for his understated charisma and deep sincerity, Reeves has become a global icon through roles in The Matrix and John Wick series.
Role: Gabriel, a well-meaning but inept guardian angel whose attempt to teach Arj (Aziz Ansari) that wealth doesn’t equate to happiness goes hilariously wrong.
His botched celestial experiment leads to a body-swap between Arj and Jeff (Seth Rogen), forcing him to confront his own mistakes while learning empathy from the sidelines.
What to expect: Expect Reeves to deliver a mix of deadpan humor, warmth, and quiet grace.
Interesting facts: Reeves reportedly sustained a minor knee injury during the filming of a cold-plunge stunt but continued shooting after recovery.
Notable works: The Matrix, John Wick series, Speed, Constantine.
Seth Rogen as Jeff
DOB: April 15, 1982.
Bio: Canadian actor, writer, comedian, and producer known for his signature blend of humor and heart.
Rising to fame through Judd Apatow’s Freaks and Geeks and breakout hits like Knocked Up and Superbad, he has since become a major Hollywood figure both in front of and behind the camera.
Role: Jeff, a wealthy tech investor whose life becomes unexpectedly entangled with that of Arj’s, leading to a fantastical life-swap scenario.
Jeff embodies the privileged side of the story, a man forced to re-examine his comfort, success, and empathy as he experiences life from a drastically different perspective.
What to expect:Rogen delivers his trademark blend of physical comedy, sharp timing, and emotional sincerity.
Interesting facts: Rogen was involved early in the project’s development, reportedly helping refine some comedic set pieces, including the now-famous sauna and cold-plunge sequence.
Notable works: Superbad, Pineapple Express, This Is the End, Neighbors, The Interview.
Aziz Ansari as Arj
DOB: February 23, 1983.
Bio: American comedian, actor, writer, and director celebrated for his sharp social commentary and emotionally grounded humor.
Best known for Parks and Recreation and his Emmy-winning series Master of None, Ansari has carved out a unique space in modern comedy that blends wit with introspection.
Role: Arj, a hardworking gig-economy employee whose life is magically swapped with that of Jeff, a wealthy investor.
Through Arj’s eyes, the story explores questions of luck, morality, and what defines true fulfillment.
What to expect: Ansari delivers a performance that blends humor, sincerity, and social insight.
Interesting facts: Ansari developed Good Fortune after his previous film project (Being Mortal) was halted.
To ground the script in realism, he spent time shadowing delivery drivers and working retail shifts.
Notable works: Parks and Recreation, Master of None, Aziz Ansari: Live at Madison Square Garden.
Keke Palmer as Elena
DOB: August 26, 1993.
Bio: Award-winning American actress, singer, producer, and television host who seamlessly transitioned from a breakout child star into one of Hollywood’s most dynamic adult performers.
Known for her sharp comedic timing, emotional authenticity, and fearless approach to diverse roles, Palmer continues to push boundaries across genres.
Role: Elena, Arj’s co-worker and moral anchor. a hardworking employee at a local hardware store who advocates for fair labor practices.
Through her grounded perspective and passion for justice, Elena becomes both Arj’s conscience and love interest, helping him rediscover purpose beyond material wealth.
What to expect: A grounded, fiery performance, Elena is the moral compass that challenges both Arj and Jeff to rethink what matters.
Interesting facts: Palmer’s casting was one of the earliest confirmed for the film, underscoring its blend of humor and social relevance.
A vocal advocate for labor rights and women’s empowerment in real life, Palmer brings personal authenticity to Elena’s character.
Notable works: Akeelah and the Bee, Hustlers, Nope, Scream Queens, True Jackson, VP.
Sandra Oh as Martha
DOB: July 20, 1971.
Bio: Canadian-American actress whose award-winning career spans decades of television, film, and stage.
Renowned for her ability to blend emotional depth with razor-sharp intelligence, Oh became a global icon through her performances in Grey’s Anatomy and Killing Eve.
Role: Martha, the senior angel tasked with enforcing celestial order.
When Gabriel (played by Keanu Reeves) meddles too freely in human affairs, Martha steps in to restore balance, serving as both his mentor and disciplinarian.
What to expect: Dry wit, measured authority and scenes that play the comedy against the absurdity of angelic rules.
Interesting facts: Oh joined the project and brought gravitas to the film’s more mythic aspects; her casting helped sell the film’s slightly whimsical, slightly satirical tone.
Notable works: Grey’s Anatomy, Killing Eve, Sideways, Under the Tuscan Sun.
Stephen McKinley Henderson as Azrael
DOB: August 31, 1949.
Bio: American stage and screen actor known for his profound command of dialogue and emotional subtlety.
A longtime interpreter of August Wilson’s plays, he has built a reputation for bringing warmth, gravity, and quiet wisdom to every role.
Role: Azrael, an angel of guidance who aids lost souls and serves as the calm, spiritual counterbalance to Gabriel’s (Keanu Reeves) chaotic good intentions.
Azrael’s composed demeanor and philosophical insight ground the celestial storyline, offering perspective on divine purpose and human imperfection.
What to expect: Steady, resonant small scenes that anchor the celestial side of the movie’s mythology.
Interesting facts: A Tony-nominated actor and Obie Award winner, Henderson has been celebrated for his decades-long commitment to stagecraft.
Notable works: Fences (film and Broadway), Lincoln, Dune, Lady Bird, The Newsroom.
Penny Johnson Jerald as (Elena’s mother)
DOB: March 14, 1961.
Bio: American actress celebrated for her consistency and emotional authenticity across television and film.
Over the decades, she has portrayed a wide range of characters, from sharp-witted professionals to nurturing maternal figures, with remarkable precision and grace.
Role: Jerald plays Elena’s mother, a grounding figure whose wisdom and compassion shape Elena’s worldview.
Through her scenes, the story explores generational strength, working-class pride, and the moral clarity that drives Elena’s activism and sense of justice.
What to expect: Warm, believable family beats that humanize Elena’s activism.
Interesting facts: Known for her professionalism and versatility, Jerald has portrayed influential figures in political and procedural dramas.
Notable works: The Larry Sanders Show, 24, Castle, The Orville.
Sherry Cola as Linda
DOB: November 10, 1989.
Bio: Chinese-American comedian, writer, and actress known for her sharp wit, vibrant screen presence, and ability to blend humor with heartfelt realism.
Emerging from the Los Angeles stand-up scene and the Upright Citizens Brigade, she’s become one of the most recognizable comedic talents of her generation.
Role: Linda, a lively supporting character who crosses paths with Gabriel in a series of humorous, chaotic encounters.
Her character amplifies the film’s fish-out-of-water comedy, providing bursts of levity and grounded charm amid the celestial chaos.
What to expect: A bright comedic cameo; Sherry brings quick energy to whatever scene she’s in.
Interesting facts: Before her breakout in television and film, Sherry was a popular radio personality on AMP Radio in Los Angeles.
Notable works: Joy Ride, Good Trouble (TV), Claws.
Joe Mande as Joe
DOB: March 16, 1983.
Bio: American comedian, writer, and actor best known for his sharp, deadpan humor and behind-the-scenes work on some of television’s smartest comedies.
A veteran of the stand-up circuit, he has contributed to hit shows like Parks and Recreation, The Good Place, and Hacks.
Role: Joe, a dryly funny supporting character in the film’s social and workplace scenes.
The role fits Mande’s low-key, observational style and complements Aziz Ansari’s ensemble of sharp comic voices.
What to expect: Dry one-liners and a reliable bit-player energy.
Interesting facts: Beyond acting, Mande has a comedy album (Bitchface) and is a prolific writer-producer.
Notable works: Parks and Recreation (writer/actor), Hacks (producer/writer/actor), The Good Place (writer), Kroll Show.
Aditya Geddada as Navid
DOB: N/A.
Bio: Aditya Geddada is an emerging actor gaining recognition for his natural screen presence and authenticity.
With a growing list of credits, he represents a new generation of performers bringing realism and cultural diversity to modern Hollywood storytelling.
Rolel: Navid is a young gig worker who interacts with Arj throughout the story, grounding the film’s depiction of contemporary working-class life.
What to expect: Naturalistic small scenes that help keep the world feeling lived-in.
Interesting facts: As one of the film’s youngest cast members, Good Fortune serves as a key breakout opportunity in Geddada’s early career.
Notable works: Emerging credits; Good Fortune is a high-profile project for him.
Alexander Jo as Arnold
DOB: N/A.
Bio: Alexander Jo Arnold is a rising performer whose work bridges independent film and ensemble comedy.
With a background linked to the UK acting scene, Arnold brings subtle humor and realism to supporting roles that flesh out a story’s social environment.
Role: Appears in a supporting capacity within Jeff’s tech and social circle, adding color and authenticity to the film’s satire of modern privilege and startup excess.
What to expect: Scene-stealing cameo moments rather than long arcs.
Interesting facts: N/A.
Notable works: TV and indie credits (varies by name variant).
Blanca Araceli as Rosa
DOB: N/A.
Bio: Mexican-American actress, dancer, and choreographer known for lending authenticity and heart to her supporting roles.
Her performances often highlight cultural depth and community spirit, giving emotional resonance to even brief appearances.
Role: Rosa is a supporting character who appears in Arj’s day-to-day world, grounding the story in the realities of working-class life.
What to expect: Realistic, grounded smaller beats that make the world feel fuller.
Interesting facts: In addition to acting, Blanca Araceli is an accomplished folkloric dancer and choreographer, often collaborating on projects that celebrate Latino heritage.
Notable works: Coco (voice role), For All Mankind.
More Actors
• Kristen Henley as There Will Be Buns employee.
• Erik Estrada as Loaiza (security guard).
• Wil Sylvince as Leonard.
• Michael Arnold as Shabier.
• Cam Barr as Cam.
• Addie Weyrich as Dunsmoor waiter.
• Cari Shayne as Plasma donation technician.
• Nena Woolworth as Shaman.
• Nate Jackson as Denny’s employee.
FAQ – Good Fortune (2025) Movie
Is the film based on a true story?
No, it is an original comedy fantasy, not based on real events or an existing book.
What is Good Fortune Movie About?
A 2025 supernatural comedy about a guardian-angel experiment that swaps the lives of a struggling gig worker and a wealthy investor, forcing both to confront what really matters
How long is the movie?
The runtime is about 98 minutes.
Where was Good Fortune Movie filmed?
Good Fortune (2025) was filmed mainly in Los Angeles, California, with some scenes shot in Vancouver, Canada, capturing both the city’s modern vibe and the film’s heartfelt tone.
What is the movie’s rating and target age?
The film is rated R in the U.S., with frequent strong language, some drug references and adult themes. It’s recommended for ages 15+ by Common Sense Media.
Conclusion
Good Fortune (2025) is a refreshing mix of comedy, heart, and fantasy that reminds viewers to value kindness and gratitude over wealth and status.
Aziz Ansari delivers a clever and emotional story supported by strong performances from Seth Rogen and Keanu Reeves.
Though it’s not perfect and slows down in parts, the movie leaves a lasting impression with its humor, warmth, and message about what truly makes life fulfilling.
It’s a feel-good film that audiences of all ages can enjoy.