The movie follows Gabriel (a low ranking angel) who observes Arj (a gig economy worker) and recognises him as a "lost soul" and decides to intervene.
With a strong cast which includes Aziz Ansari who wrote, directed and stars in the film, along with Seth Rogen, Keanu Reeves, Keke Palmer and Sandra Oh, we were strapped in for strong performances and not only did we get strong performances, we also got one of the best comedy movies of 2025.
In 2025, when we look around, we realise that everyone in the world is struggling (emotionally, financially and more) while the ones who are rich are getting richer. When I am scrolling through my social media apps, I see another person getting laid off, while simultaneously reading about a millionaire becoming a billionaire. In this current environment, Good Fortune talks about the gig economy in an extremely realistic and tender manner.
Arj (Aziz Ansari) is a gig economy worker who finds it hard to make ends meet and is perpetually broke. Gabriel (Keanu Reeves) observes Arj's plight and decides to help him by teaching him an age old lesson - "money doesn't solve life's problems" by swapping his life with another (Jeff played by Seth Rogen). Arj, Gabrriel and Jeff learn a lot about each other while they dispel their beliefs and collect new experiences along the way.
Keanu Reeves has given one of his most charming comedy performances. His Gabriel is confused, innocent and a bit slow. His discoveries (cheeseburgers, taco, smoking, alcohol) and his remarkable bewilderment gives the movie a lot of heart.
Aziz Ansari has done it again! He is a brilliant writer (if anyone has seen Master of None then you know what I mean) and in this movie he has been able to capture the soul crushing reality of the gig economy. Arj's character does not just struggle, he is living in his car and donating his plasma for cash. The film explores app based work not just as a plot device but as a modern form of exploitation (remember Amazon delivery staff's 14 hour work day with no pee break?)
Ansari has been able to make the film reflect about poverty in a funny way while making you simultaneously angry for these circumstances. Ansari's chemistry with Reeves makes you believe that the characters have genuinely changed each other's perspectives by the end of the movie.
Ansari as a director has captured LA in a way where we can see the neighborhoods where people work in impossible jobs and sleep in cars while also following the lives of the ultra rich who have soo much money that they spend a day running between their hot sauna and their cold plunge bath because of "health benefits".
Seth Rogen's character Jeff is not portrayed as a cartoonish villain, instead he is shown as a product of his circumstances and privilege that have kept him insulated. When he learns about the hardships, we end up laughing with him and there are moments where we feel bad for whoever is on the receiving end of the cruelty of living pay cheque to pay cheque.
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