An Actor’s Delight: Running Toward the Absurd in Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
Since the end of January, I’ve been in full immersion mode, watching forty television series and films nominated for the Actor Awards, formerly known as the SAG-AFTRA Awards. It’s been a steady diet of prestige performances, layered dramas, and the kind of nuanced acting that makes you sit up straighter on your couch.
This past Saturday, I took a break.
And I’m so glad I did.
A Script That Swings for the Fences
I went to a preview screening of Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, and from the first few minutes, I knew I wasn’t in standard awards-season territory. The script is wildly original—wacky in a way that feels intentional, sharp, and just a little dangerous.
It dances on the edge of absurdity while quietly presenting a scenario that, if you let yourself think about it too long, is genuinely unsettling. There’s a potential future here that’s not exactly comforting.
And yet, I found myself laughing. Out loud. More than once.
There’s a considerable amount of violence, but it’s framed with such heightened absurdity that it becomes almost theatrical—like a dark, futuristic farce playing out at full speed.
Sam Rockwell at Full Throttle: An Actor in Full Command
Sam Rockwell anchors the film with the kind of performance only a fearless actor can deliver—grounded and delightfully unhinged at the same time. He brings that signature blend of precision and unpredictability that makes him so watchable. You never quite know what he’ll do next—but you trust him completely.
The supporting actors more than hold their own. Every character feels sharply drawn, committed, and fully alive inside this bizarre universe. No one plays it for a cheap laugh. They commit completely to the reality of the world, and that full-throttle sincerity is exactly what makes it hilarious.
And the score? Fantastic. It propels the story forward and heightens the tension without overpowering the absurdity. It knows exactly what movie it’s in.
A Friday the 13th Release That Feels Right
The film opens in theaters tomorrow, Friday—the 13th, which feels oddly appropriate. There’s something mischievous about that timing.
After weeks of watching awards contenders with impeccable craft and emotional gravitas, it was refreshing to see a film that takes big, strange swings. It’s smart. It’s bold. It’s slightly chaotic in the best way.
I recommend running, not walking, to see it.
Sometimes the most satisfying cinematic experiences are the ones that surprise you—especially when you weren’t even looking for them.