With the final curtains drawn, red carpets rolled up, and the return to a balanced work/life schedule (well, as balanced as it can be), it’s time to reflect on the movies that stood above the rest for me from this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
From star-studded world premieres to intimate, career-defining turns, TIFF’s 50th anniversary (TIFFTY!) lineup delivered a captivating spectrum of storytelling. Sifting through a slate of 18 (!) powerful dramas, biting comedies, and stunning debuts was no small task, but five titles left an incredible mark.
My top five picks for TIFF this year are Good Fortune, the hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt feature debut from Aziz Ansari; Hamlet, a visceral and emotionally shattering re-telling of a classic with Riz Ahmed; Homebound, a beautifully acted drama that explores the crushing weight of ambition and division; Mile End Kicks, a sharp, nostalgic coming-of-age story set against the vibrant Montreal music scene; and finally, Tuner, a whip-smart thriller starring Dustin Hoffman and Leo Woodall.
Good Fortune marks the feature directorial debut of comedian Aziz Ansari, who also stars in this hilarious modern fantasy. Co-starring in the film are a heaven-sent ensemble that includes Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, Sandra Oh, and Keke Palmer.
The film follows a disgruntled angel (Reeves) who descends to Earth to fix the deeply unequal world by forcing a tech billionaire (Rogen) and a struggling gig worker (Ansari) to swap lives – with chaotically unexpected results.
Beyond the established comedic rapport between Rogen and Ansari (Observe and Report, This Is the End), the cast also proudly represents “Team Canada” not only with Rogen, but also Reeves and Oh. In contrast to the high-concept class-swap antics and angels’ celestial squabbles, Palmer (following a hilarious performance in One of Them Days), takes on the serious, yet integral, role of the film’s moral compass – centring the comedy’s sharp focus on wealth disparity.
In the end, Good Fortune is exactly the kind of smart, high-energy comedy we need right now. It’s a film that genuinely works, using its stellar cast and absurdist premise to comment intelligently on modern life while never sacrificing a laugh. The reunion of Rogen and Ansari is as rewarding as expected, but it’s the film’s sheer watchability and infectious pace that truly sets it apart. Definitely one of the most enjoyable, feel-good hits of the festival.
Good Fortune will be released in theatres on October 17, 2025.
