As December 2025 unfolds with holiday cheer clashing against cinematic chills, Hollywood delivers a tantalizing mix of divine comedy and spine-tingling terror. Keanu Reeves, the eternal action icon, swaps his John Wick arsenal for heavenly hijinks in Aziz Ansari’s directorial debut, Good Fortune, a supernatural romp that’s proving laughter truly is the best medicine—even for fallen angels. Meanwhile, the airwaves crackle with dread as The Black Phone 2 resurrects its ghostly caller, igniting Halloween’s embers into a full-blown inferno of psychological horror that refuses to hang up.
First, let’s ascend to the clouds with Good Fortune. Released in theaters on October 17, 2025, by Lionsgate, this 98-minute fantasy-comedy follows Gabriel (Reeves), a well-intentioned but hilariously hapless angel tasked with imparting life’s harsh truths to Arj (Ansari), a gig-economy striver drowning in LA’s relentless hustle. When Gabriel’s grand plan—body-swapping Arj with smug venture capitalist Jeff (Seth Rogen)—backfires spectacularly, wings are lost, realities collide, and chaos ensues amid tacos, dance-offs, and existential bar chats. Joined by Keke Palmer as the sharp-witted Elena and Sandra Oh as the no-nonsense angel Martha, the ensemble crafts a fable that’s equal parts giggle-inducing and thought-provoking.
Critics have hailed it as a breath of fresh air in a stale comedy landscape. With a 78% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes from 140 reviews, the consensus praises Ansari’s “socially minded humor” elevated by Reeves’ “heavenly comedic timing.” USA Today called it a “mature comedy that gives audiences a chance to both laugh and think,” spotlighting Reeves’ arc from ethereal guide to nugget-munching mortal as “something special.” Despite a modest $16.5 million domestic box office against a $30 million budget, Good Fortune soared on streaming charts, topping iTunes domestically on November 8 and earning Reeves an Astra Film Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy. Filmed partly on Super 8 for a nostalgic glow, the movie’s gig-economy satire—drawing from Ansari’s own delivery-driver ride-alongs—resonates deeply, blending whimsy with wealth-gap woes in a way that feels timely and tender.
But if Good Fortune lifts spirits, The Black Phone 2 drags them straight to hell’s switchboard. Directed by Scott Derrickson and penned with C. Robert Cargill, this Blumhouse sequel dials up the dread, premiering in the U.S. on October 17 but hitting Vietnamese screens October 31 for a Halloween bloodbath. Ethan Hawke reprises his masked menace as The Grabber, now hell-bent on vengeance against survivor Finney (Mason Thames, aged up to 17) and his clairvoyant sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw, 15). Haunted by PTSD and prophetic dreams, the siblings retreat to a snowbound camp where the infamous black phone rings again, unearthing family secrets and Grabber origins in a storm of slashed throats and spectral whispers.
Inspired by Derrickson’s own 1970s Denver childhood terrors—echoing The Shining and Nightmare on Elm Street—the film amps the gore and grit, earning a B CinemaScore and 79% on Rotten Tomatoes pre-release. Shot in evocative 1980s-style visuals with Super 8 flourishes, it grossed $30 million opening weekend, eclipsing the original’s $23.6 million and snapping Blumhouse’s slump. Metacritic’s 73/100 underscores its “nerve-shredding” tension, blending supernatural smarts with slasher savagery. Early buzz from Vietnam previews—special screenings October 24-26 at CGV—promises “rợn gáy” (chilling) thrills, with fans raving about Hawke’s unhinged return and the phone’s eerie evolutions.
In a year of reboots and reckonings, these films remind us cinema’s power to heal or haunt. Reeves’ angelic awkwardness offers solace in uncertainty, while Black Phone 2‘s relentless rings warn of unresolved demons. Whether you’re toasting fortunes or flinching at phantom calls, Hollywood’s late-2025 lineup ensures no soul is left unscared—or unamused.
