Al Pacino's Classic Inspired the Tense Opening of 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die'

Gore Verbinski's new film borrows the combustible core of 'Dog Day Afternoon' and filters it through a science fiction lens.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The opening minutes of Gore Verbinski's new film 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die' are directly inspired by the classic 1975 drama 'Dog Day Afternoon'. Both films hinge on a single, volatile performance unfolding in a confined space, with the actor taking control of the room and bending the movie to their will. Sam Rockwell's character storms a diner with the same command that Al Pacino's Sonny brings to the bank in 'Dog Day Afternoon', replacing the criminal desperation with apocalyptic urgency and off-kilter comedy.

Why it matters

The opening sequence of 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die' highlights how timeless the approach of 'Dog Day Afternoon' remains. Technology, genre, and tone may change, but the thrill of watching an actor seize control of a confined space endures. Both films remind us how exhilarating it is when a movie trusts an actor to take over a scene.

The details

In the opening of 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die', Rockwell's character storms into a diner, announces he's from the future, and informs the alarmed patrons that the world is on the brink of an AI-induced apocalypse and he needs their help to put things right. As the scene stretches, skepticism shifts to alarm as the authorities are called. While most diners are baffled and alarmed, others are drawn in by his knowledge and familiarity. Rockwell escalates his performance, building on the quirky energy that's made him beloved, daring his captors and the audience to decide whether this man is brilliant, unhinged, or both.

  • The opening sequence of 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die' immediately sets the tone for the film.

The players

Gore Verbinski

The director of 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die', making his first film in a decade.

Sam Rockwell

The actor who plays the unnamed protagonist in 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die', delivering a manic and commanding performance.

Sidney Lumet

The director of the classic 1975 drama 'Dog Day Afternoon', which inspired the opening of 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die'.

Al Pacino

The iconic actor who played Sonny in 'Dog Day Afternoon', delivering one of his best performances.

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The takeaway

The opening sequence of 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die' highlights how the thrill of watching an actor seize control of a confined space remains timeless, no matter the changes in technology, genre, or tone. Both 'Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die' and 'Dog Day Afternoon' remind us of the exhilaration that comes when a movie trusts an actor to take over a scene.