The Wasteland Reviewer

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die (2026) Written Review

Are you the type of person who will take a leap of faith? Many people search for signs of danger, hope, fortune, opportunity, or high power throughout their lives. Having an oddly dressed, manic man walking into a diner asking them to join the team to take down the A.I. overlords of the future just might be that sign that will convince something to take a leap of faith. Others might try calling the cops because “A Man of Tomorrow” sounds more like mental illness than a sign or call to action. That is the exact scenario lined up in Gore Verbinski’s latest directorial feature effort (his first in 10 years), Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die. 

Does Verbinski still have that cinematic magic up his sleeve after 10 years away from making movies? He must have been bottling up that magic as he cracked it open with this wild science fiction/action/thriller/comedy and then some. There is a mania at the core of this film that gives the film a hectic and thrilling sense of atmosphere and energy. The film reaches well past the two-hour mark but sustains quite the pacing along the way. Verbinski leans into some of his more twisted traits by delivering plenty of twisted and strange visuals throughout the film. The editing is sharp and gives the film a propulsive nature and aids with some of the sight and auditory gags along the way. Verbinski balances fear, adrenaline, and laughs throughout this bonkers and crazed journey. There are plenty of laughs, but the film also finds ways to deepen the experience with emotion (and don’t forget some brutal and violent explosions of thrills as well). The score from composer Geoff Zanelli is at times dark and intense while selling the ominous scenario but it also has plenty of offbeat quirks to give the film more personality (on top of what Verbinski was already dishing out). 

Does the story and Matthew Robinson’s screenplay hold underneath this daring film? From the start of this film, you know you are in for something special. This sequence is quite clever as it avoids clunky expositional dialogue and delivers interactions that are fun and full of character. We meet the protagonist, a man from the future (Sam Rockwell) as he has already done this so many times already (a nice subversion of that time travel trope). From this opening scene, you have zero idea where this film is going, which is refreshing, exciting, and thrilling. Robinson crafted a bold and ambitious narrative that mixes this future man’s mission with some interesting backstories that each feel like their own little Black Mirror episode. The stakes are high as there is no guarantee that these characters will make it out of this mission alive (no matter how much we care about them). This film does not shy away from tough topics like phone usage in teens, school shootings, cloning, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. The film has plenty of biting humor, sharp dialogue, and bonkers visuals that will twist your mind. The climax is big, exciting, and unpredictable. Robinson and Verbinski are ready with plenty of pitfalls along the way while delivering an ending that will surprise and intrigue the audience. This is one of the freshest and most entertaining films around (even if it feels a bit long in the tooth by the end). 

What is the extra sauce that ties this cinematic feast together? Rockwell leads a fun cast of actors who commit to their characters in this bonkers film. Rockwell is infectiously entertaining and just might surprise you with a few moments of real emotion along the way. Haley Lu Richardson turns out to be one of the most interesting members of the ensemble with her depressed aloofness giving the film some vibes before giving way to a compelling arc for her character. Juno Temple is quite empathetic and one of the hearts of the film. You get some quirky and “over it” performances out of Zazie Beetz and Michael Pena (who make a perfect couple on screen). There are a few fun supporting turns as well (including Asim Chaudhry) that fill out this wild world of mayhem and technophobia. 

Does Verbinski’s latest film put him back on track? Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die is a genre-bending revelation that will surprise you and thrill you from start to finish. Verbinski brings the cinematic voice of an auteur while never skimping on either the fun or thematic exploration. Rockwell is an absolute blast and is supported by multiple strong supporting turns. Strap in. Laugh big. Be surprised!