You can always tell when a studio is nervous: they cut a third trailer. Lionsgate dropped another look at Good Fortune, Aziz Ansari's feature directorial debut, which already premiered at TIFF 2025 and now rolls into theaters on October 17, 2025. The marketing push is heavy, probably because this thing straddles genres—part spiritual farce, part roommate comedy, and a little bit of that “what if angels were unionized gig workers?” satire.
The hook is simple enough. Reeves plays Gabriel, a budget guardian angel with more charm than competence. He meddles with the lives of Arj (Ansari), a hustling gig worker circling rock-bottom, and Jeff (Seth Rogen), a wealthy but aimless venture capitalist. Gabriel swaps their lives to prove that money doesn't fix everything. Of course, the opposite happens. Arj's problems evaporate with Jeff's bank account, and Gabriel loses his wings—literally grounded, shuffling through life as their new roommate.
The trailer leans on fast cuts, buddy-movie banter, and that warm-but-slightly-silly color palette Lionsgate has used on comedies since the mid-2000s. It plays like Trading Places run through a post-Good Omens filter. Reeves, for once, gets to mug and stumble instead of brood. Ansari is playing his trademark exasperated everyman. And Rogen—well, he's still Rogen, laugh intact.
TIFF Buzz and What Stuck
Festival reviews coming out of Toronto were cautiously optimistic. Nobody's calling this the comedy of the year, but most critics agree the cast chemistry keeps it afloat. Reeves, in particular, got praise for loosening up. He's been America's stoic action monk for so long that watching him crack bad angel jokes feels refreshing.
What's striking is the cultural inversion: the “guardian angel” trope has historically been played straight—selfless, all-knowing, halo intact. Here, Gabriel is more like your distracted Uber driver, fumbling with destiny while trying not to miss his exit. It's a modern comedy of errors, built for an era where luck feels rationed.
Trailer Breakdown
- Opening beats: Arj asleep in a Denny's booth, car getting towed, his rock bottom framed in overhead fluorescents. A neat visual shorthand for failure.
- The swap: The actual body-switch moment is barely shown. Smart choice—keeps the gag fresh for theaters.
- Comedy rhythm: Lots of roommate hijinks and “odd couple” friction, quick shots of Gabriel trying to figure out human chores. Reeves's deadpan works here.
- Tone: Family-friendly on the surface, but with enough cynical edge for adults. Think mid-tier studio comedy, not prestige dramedy.
Industry Angle
Lionsgate needs this film to land. They've leaned hard into modestly budgeted star vehicles, and this is exactly that: an ensemble comedy with just enough high-concept fantasy to stand out. The release slot—October 17—positions it before Halloween tentpoles like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Smile 3. It's counterprogramming, but smart.
If the film connects, it could revive the mid-budget studio comedy—something that's been languishing while blockbusters eat up the air. If it doesn't, it'll join the pile of TIFF premieres remembered only as “that Keanu angel comedy.”
5 Things to Notice About the Good Fortune Trailer
Reeves Playing Against Type
After years of John Wick stoicism, seeing Keanu bumbling as a fallen angel is worth the ticket price alone.
Ansari Behind the Camera
This is Aziz Ansari's first feature film as director. The comedy carries his fingerprints—awkward humanity, sharp cultural observations, and just enough heart.
Festival Stamp
Premiering at TIFF 2025 gives the film credibility, though reviews suggest it's more charming than groundbreaking.
Visual Tone
Bright, soft lighting and saturated colors sell this as light comedy, even when the premise edges toward darker irony.
Release Timing
October 17, 2025 is a strategic slot, offering audiences a breather before horror season takes over.
What do you think—does Good Fortune look like a return to the kind of star-driven comedy we haven't seen in a decade, or is Lionsgate selling us nostalgia in angel's clothing?
