TIFF Review: Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune is a Charming and Relevant Comedy

      Hearing a story from Azrael (Stephen McKinley Henderson) reveals the true potential of an angel’s role. He doesn’t just concern himself with natural disasters or moments of brilliance; he saves lives by reminding lost souls of their worth. Gabriel (Keanu Reeves) can’t help but be inspired and desires to follow in those footsteps. However, his status is low on the hierarchy, with wings that barely extend beyond his shoulder blades. Martha (Sandra Oh) has him gently nudging distracted drivers to look away from their phones. He’s a meter maid dreaming of being a rock star.

      When he sees a driver who could be involved in a fender-bender texting about his loss of hope, Gabriel believes this is his moment to prove he’s ready for something greater. He neglects his immediate task to prevent Elena (Keke Palmer) from backing into a light post and chooses instead to reach out to her coworker Arj (Aziz Ansari) to become visible to him. What he fails to realize is that Azrael’s job is challenging, and not something just anyone can do. If he isn’t careful in his approach, he may inadvertently worsen the situation.

      Writer-director Ansari takes the concept of the angel film and flips it with Good Fortune by focusing on a man lacking a support system. Consider It’s a Wonderful Life: George Bailey has a loving family and loyal friends but chooses to bear his uncle’s burden alone; Clarence appears to remind him that love is what truly makes him rich, knowing this will save him from the despair that drives him towards suicide. It’s not the process that saves George, but rather the truth to which he has become blind.

      Applying a similar approach to Arj is a colossal mistake; his life lacks anything that could lead to redemption. Why? Because living as part of the working class in contemporary America means being only one medical crisis away from financial ruin. Arj is barely surviving, and Gabriel’s attempts to assure him that better days are ahead fail spectacularly when the reality of “better than” destitution becomes painfully evident as simply “barely getting by.” Somehow, Gabriel's course correction ends up being even worse.

      Enter Jeff (Seth Rogen), a tech billionaire who could be Arj’s best friend under different circumstances. As things stand, however, Jeff will always look down on Arj with pity—or worse disdain. Arj struggles to see any appeal in his life of endless labor when people like Jeff earn money effortlessly and profit from their workers. In a cinematic twist, Gabriel switches Arj’s situation with Jeff’s so he can witness that Jeff’s life isn’t perfect either. Except, of course, it actually is.

      Beyond just subverting the trope by giving Arj a reason to abandon his previous life, Ansari shifts the perspective, allowing the lead character to fade into the background while following the other two for a while. Suddenly, Jeff must experience Arj’s struggles, naive to the reality of an economic gap that has always favored him. Amid all the chaos he has caused, Gabriel comes to a human realization of how much context matters. The world isn’t as straightforward as it was portrayed in classic films.

      Good Fortune effectively conveys its message through three distinct paths that diverge before ultimately intersecting: Arj is inspired by Elena’s dignity and determination to keep fighting despite her efforts seeming futile; Jeff comes to understand that the methods he employs to maximize profits rely on the exploitation of those he overlooks from his privileged position; and Gabriel discovers the joys of mortality with a childlike wonder as he acclimates to new sensations. It’s a genuinely sweet script.

      Given that this is Ansari we’re discussing, it’s no surprise that this sweetness is accompanied by irreverent humor. The rapport between him and Rogen is as lively as expected—both navigate interactions with clients via various gig economy apps with a no-holds-barred attitude. And let's not forget Reeves, whose performance is unforgettable, radiating innocence while also conveying how life can corrupt easily. (And, unless I imagined it, he even recreates his most famous memes for extra laughs along the way.)

      This directorial debut is well-crafted, showcasing a love for cinematic history while infusing it with a unique sensibility rather than merely paying tribute. With timely themes of AI and union advocacy, the engaged audience couldn't help but applaud during certain moments. That’s the charm of Good Fortune: it offers communal entertainment, blending lighthearted surrealist fantasy with relatable issues faced by ordinary people. The film addresses “eat the rich” politics, but the overarching message encourages living for one’s community. Strive to be George Bailey instead of coveting Mr. Potter’s wealth.

      Good Fortune premiered at TIFF 2025 and is set to release on October 17.