Gore Verbinski, the visionary director behind Pirates of the Caribbean, Rango, and The Ring, returns with his most audacious project yet: Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, a 2025 science fiction action-adventure comedy that hit theaters on February 13, 2026. Written by Matthew Robinson and produced with a mix of practical effects and inventive CGI, the film delivers a gonzo, high-energy ride that feels like a love letter to classic diner hostage thrillers crossed with time-travel absurdity and end-of-the-world stakes.

The story kicks off in an iconic, retro Los Angeles diner late one night. A mysterious man (Sam Rockwell in full eccentric glory) bursts in, claiming to be from the future. He declares that the world is hours away from an AI-driven apocalypse unless he recruits a very specific group of people right now. The catch? The perfect team is sitting among the diner’s disgruntled patrons: a jaded waitress (Zazie Beetz), a burned-out musician (Haley Lu Richardson), a skeptical truck driver (Michael Peña), and a handful of other everyday oddballs. What follows is a chaotic, one-night quest across the city as the unlikely crew is dragged into high-speed chases, surreal detours, and increasingly bizarre confrontations with agents of the future timeline.

Rockwell’s “Man From the Future” is the film’s beating heart—manic, charismatic, and just unhinged enough to sell the premise. His deadpan delivery of lines like the titular “Good luck, have fun, don’t die” becomes an instant meme-worthy catchphrase. Beetz brings sharp wit and grounded emotion as the reluctant leader who keeps the group from falling apart, while Richardson’s wide-eyed vulnerability and Peña’s dry sarcasm provide perfect comic relief. The ensemble chemistry crackles, turning what could have been a gimmicky setup into a surprisingly heartfelt story about found family, second chances, and fighting against inevitable doom.

Verbinski’s signature style is on full display: sweeping practical stunts, dreamlike visuals, and a playful sense of scale that balloons from a single diner booth to city-wide mayhem. The film balances laugh-out-loud moments—think ridiculous time-travel paradoxes and slapstick fights—with genuine tension as the clock ticks down. Critics have praised its timeliness, weaving in subtle commentary on AI, technology dependence, and human resilience without ever feeling preachy. At 134 minutes, it moves at a breathless pace, never dragging despite its ambitious scope.

Early reviews have been glowing. Film Threat called it “a great movie” with “laughs, thrills, and it’s a thinker,” while audiences on Letterboxd and Rotten Tomatoes highlight its rewatchability and emotional payoff. The Palm Springs International Film Festival screening drew raves for its “visionary populist” energy, and the official trailer amassed millions of views, building massive hype ahead of release.

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die stands out in a crowded blockbuster landscape by embracing originality over franchise fatigue. It’s chaotic, clever, and unexpectedly moving—a reminder that even in the face of apocalypse, a ragtag group of strangers can find purpose together. Whether you’re in for the action, the humor, or Rockwell’s tour-de-force performance, this is one wild ride worth taking. Grab your ticket, wish yourself luck, and don’t die trying to contain your excitement.