Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die is One of the Craziest Films You’ll Ever See
Image Courtesy of Briarcliff Entertainment
By Luis Zonenberg
While there are still plenty of films from last year to cover, we want to ensure that we stay up-to-date with some of the new films from this year as well. There is no shortage of blockbuster films to explore, but I was in the mood for something unique and experimental. My search led me to Gore Verbinski’s latest film, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, a trippy sci-fi venture that combines the best aspects of The Terminator and Everything Everywhere All at Once to create a once-in-a-lifetime cinematic experience.
The story focuses on a man from the future (Sam Rockwell) who arrives at a Los Angeles diner to recruit people in his 117th attempt to save the world. The man believes a specific combination of diner patrons will aid him, but he isn’t sure which combination will help since all others have failed. A grieving mother, Susan (Juno Temple), and a snarky princess, Ingrid (Haley Lu Richardson), volunteer to help him in his fight to save humanity.
The man also coerces a struggling couple, Mark (Michael Peña) and Janet (Zazie Beetz), as well as a biker, Scott (Asim Chaudry), to help in his cause. After being surrounded by police outside the diner, the group escapes through a ventilation shaft under the diner and regroups outside the building. The man reveals they must navigate through LA to find a 9-year-old boy (Archie Wilkinson-Hunt) who will launch an AI singularity that will enslave humanity in the distant future.
This film stands as one of the craziest movies I’ve ever seen, blending all sorts of sci-fi tropes with a sprinkle of dark humor to create a high-octane adventure I’ll never forget. The film combines elements of time travel with artificial intelligence, mutated animals, cloning, and—oh yeah—zombies to create this unusual concoction. With so many ingredients on the table here, it’s impressive that they blend together so seamlessly, and they expand the possibilities of the world in so many ways.
The movie touches on a number of relevant topics, such as growing concern with the implications of artificial intelligence. The story also shows various tech companies competing against each other, offering different incentives such as Virtual Reality (VR), social media, and even cloning the deceased! There is a lot one could dissect from this film, and they’d probably only scratch the surface of what the movie has to offer.
The fantastic world-building and timely commentary certainly get an extra boost from Gore Verbinski’s direction, injecting a good amount of twisted humor into the film. This dark humor fuels the commentary in a way that shows how numb we have grown to everyday terrors. If anything, it shows that we have a constant need to escape reality. Verbinski’s wacky style and distinct sense of humor complement the relevant themes while also working to make each character feel so unique and memorable.
The cast was hugely entertaining to watch, with Sam Rockwell turning in an absolutely magnetic performance as the Man from the Future. His dry wit and candid demeanor wonderfully contrast the colorful group of characters surrounding him. Haley Lu Richardson’s acting was a highlight, elevating the suspense and intrigue in the film. Other supporting actors like Michael Peña, Juno Temple, and Tom Taylor also anchored the film with their superb performances.
The cinematography was absolutely stunning, beautifully balancing the intimacy of the characters with the grand scope of the action. The contrast of the subdued environment with the more colorful dystopian setting added a nice wrinkle into the fold, wonderfully visualizing the allure of what AI may do to the world as we know it. The photography not only visualized the world in such a unique way, but also did a fantastic job of amplifying the tension as well.
The film was independently funded by Constantin Film and Blind Wink Productions, so I set my expectations low as far as how the VFX would look in the film. With that said, I was pleasantly surprised to find how well the VFX blended altogether in the film. It balances the practical settings and action set pieces with the CGI in a way that’s so seamless. From the unique designs of the creatures and robots to the way they interacted with the live-action actors and environment was simply phenomenal, especially when considering the film’s meager $20 million production budget.
This is an absolute rollercoaster of a film, with plenty of wacky hijinks and dark jokes that complement the movie’s ongoing themes. It offers such a unique experience that’s equal parts funny and terrifying, which just makes it all the more memorable. The movie might not be for everyone, but for those in the mood for an absolute bonkers thrill ride, you won’t regret watching this! Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die are not just great words to live by, but also serve as a great vehicle for Gore Verbinski to deliver one of the craziest, most brilliant films in years.
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die is now playing in theaters.
Rating: ★★★★ ½ of five
