Sam Rockwell, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in Moon and The White Lotus, is generating buzz for his latest project, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die. He describes the film as “Black Mirror on steroids,” and the promotional poster certainly hints at the wild ride awaiting audiences. It features a chaotic tableau of rats, robots, unsettling dolls, a sinister-looking cat, and a burger, all surrounding Rockwell. He himself is depicted in a transparent plastic raincoat and a suicide bomb vest, a visual that perfectly encapsulates the film’s genre-bending nature.
Rockwell likens the film’s target audience to that of the Oscar-winning multiverse comedy Everything Everywhere All At Once, suggesting a shared appreciation for the unexpected and the absurd. “Everything Everywhere All At Once is our demographic, whatever that demographic is,” he stated. “I think that’s kind of what we’re shooting for. Weapons, but funnier, obviously.” This ambitious blend of high-octane action, dark humour, and sharp social commentary promises a unique cinematic experience.
A Future Dystopia Unveiled
In Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, Rockwell takes on the role of the “Man From The Future.” He materialises in a quintessential Los Angeles diner with a critical mission: to save humanity from the twin threats of artificial intelligence and our pervasive addiction to mobile phones. This premise immediately sets the stage for a narrative that is both timely and potentially alarming.
Director Gore Verbinski, who also helmed the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, stresses the importance of stepping back from our constant digital engagement. He offers a stark perspective on the digital age, noting, “Every time you engage in social media, it’s evaluating you as a brand. It’s f****d up.” This sentiment underscores the film’s underlying critique of how technology shapes our lives and identities.
Rockwell’s Personal Digital Detox
When questioned about his own digital habits post-filming, Rockwell reveals a surprisingly analogue approach. “I don’t have Instagram or any of that stuff,” he admits. While he acknowledges receiving content like TikToks from others, he maintains a distance from the platforms himself. He also makes a conscious effort to curb his phone usage in public, stating, “I also kerb it when I text on the street. I try to. I try to go to the side and not walk while I text.” Despite his efforts to minimise phone distractions, he humourously boasts about his texting prowess: “I’m a pretty good texter. My Gif game is strong. I got a good, strong Gif game.”
Beyond the Action Hero Persona
While Rockwell has a history with blockbuster films like Iron Man 2 and Argylle, he doesn’t typically headline action-centric movies. He expresses some uncertainty about his appeal in such roles, musing, “I’ve already tried, and I don’t know if people are into it.” He adds, “I did Argylle and a couple other ones. So maybe people don’t want to see me that way. I think they want to see me in a goofy suit with a beard.” This self-awareness adds another layer to his portrayal in Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die, where he calls the action “talkie action.” His character is described as a fervent, almost prophetic figure, delivering a speech he claims to have repeated 117 times upon his arrival at the diner.
The film doesn’t shy away from depicting the physical toll of its narrative. Rockwell recounts an anecdote about the necessity of “pills” for “delicate digestions” on set. He grimaces, recalling, “If you took the pill, it would dry you up for a week. I’d rather have the runs in that suit, man.” This humorous yet slightly uncomfortable detail highlights the film’s commitment to pushing boundaries.
Tackling Societal Ills with Imagination
In an era often dominated by sequels and familiar narratives, Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die stands out for its sheer originality and willingness to explore provocative ideas. One particularly striking plot point involves a tech company that clones children lost in school shootings. Rockwell acknowledges the political undertones of such a concept, stating, “It is a political message, I suppose. I’m not political, but yeah…one school shooting is too many, that’s the bottom line. And we’re having way too much of that in the States.”
The dangers of artificial intelligence are another central theme, a concern deeply felt by director Gore Verbinski. He paints a chilling picture of the future, predicting, “You’re [soon] going to be able to say, ‘It’s Wednesday night. I want to see The Godfather, as if it was directed by Chris Nolan…with talking frogs.’ And it’s going to do it. It’s going to get good at it…and that’s not going to change.” Verbinski highlights the inherent challenge of AI’s tendency to merely regurgitate existing ideas, contrasting it with the creative drive of filmmakers who strive for originality. “And as a director, we’re desperately trying not to repeat ourselves, right? Every time I make a movie…I don’t want to do that again,” he asserts.
A Glimmer of Hope for Cinema?
Despite the potentially bleak outlook on AI and societal trends, Rockwell, usually known for his laid-back demeanour, offers a nuanced perspective on the future. When asked if humanity is doomed, he muses, “Maybe. Maybe. Maybe. It could go south.”
The future of the film industry itself is also a point of discussion. In the age of streaming services, the theatrical release of films like Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die might seem like a niche endeavour. However, Rockwell expresses optimism, citing the recent success of major releases like the James Bond film No Time To Die and Top Gun. “I thought during the pandemic, when the James Bond movie [No Time To Die] and Top Gun hit really big, that was a good sign,” he says. “I mean, those are tentpole movies, but it was a good sign that people were going to the movies again. So I have hope for that. I do. I mean, I don’t know about little independent movies.”
Rockwell, whose career has been built on critically acclaimed independent films such as Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (for which he won an Oscar), and who is set to reunite with director Martin McDonagh for the CIA comedy-drama Wild Horse Nine, still champions the communal experience of cinema. He passionately advocates for audiences to support films like Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die in multiplexes. “A dark theatre, with popcorn…it’s great,” he coos. “Even if it’s empty.”
Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die is slated for release in cinemas on February 20th.
