When most people think aboutMichael Keaton’scareer, it is likely that two roles spring to mind: his time as the brooding Caped Crusader or his outrageous portrayal of Betelgeuse. The latter is particularly true with the upcoming release ofBeetlejuice Beetlejuice, which sees him collaborating with Tim Burton once again. However, Keaton has become a beloved actor and persona for his well-rounded repertoire, and his work outside his iconic characterizations has endeared many to the actor the same. FromMr. MomtoBirdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), Keaton has impressed in these roles that combine drama and comedy.
This makes the upcoming movieGoodrichsuch an exciting prospect for fans of the actor and those looking for more seriously themed works in which Keaton has been known to excel. We will tell you what you can expect from the upcoming movieGoodrichand Keaton’s continued excellence as a performer from decades of great dramedies.
Goodrich Stars Two Talented Actors
Andy Goodrich (Michael Keaton) is facing a pivotal point in his life. Personal problems and struggles with his business are causing significant stress. Matters become further complicated when the mother of his nine-year-old twins enters a 90-day rehab program, leaving him to take care of them. Findingmodern fatherhood is much more complexthan he thought; he reaches out to his daughter from his first marriage, Grace (Mila Kunis), for help caring for the children. However, as Grace steps in to help and sees her father as a caring parent in a way that was based on when she was growing up, the two begin to process their past grievances.
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Michael Keaton plays Andy Goodrich, marking his 58th feature film, set for release after the upcomingBeetlejuice Beetlejuice. Milia Kunis, best known for her time as Jackie inThat ’70s Showand the voice of Meg inFamily Guy, plays Andy’s daughter Grace. Though largely considereda comedic actor, Kunis gets the chance to prove her underrated knack for thoughtful dramas once again, as seen inLuckiest Girl AliveandFour Good Days. The rest of the cast includes Andie MacDowell, Carmen Ejogo, Laura Benanti, Kevin Pollak, Michael Urie, Poorna Jagannathan, Nico Hiraga, Vivien Lyra Blair, and Danny Deferrari. Goodrich is written and directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer, marking her first feature film.
Goodrich Offers a Return to Form Reminiscent of the Best Micheal Keaton Movies
Micheal Keaton has had an interesting career trajectory, starting in therealm of stand-up comedyand working behind the scenes before deciding to fully commit to acting. His break-out film in 1982’sNight Shift, a dark comedy about two men running a brothel out of a morgue, started Keaton on a series of comedic roles. Primarily known as a comedic actor, the comic book fandom had reservations when it was announced that he was cast as Batman in Tim Burton’s film. However, when the movie came out, many found a new appreciation for Keaton’s range and ability, andhe remains one of the most beloved actors ever to become the Caped Crusader. He would also work with Burton and use his experience to create Betelgeuse in 1988’sBeetlejuice. While these two roles often pop into the minds of fans when thinking about Keaton, hiswork in dramediesoften goes underappreciated.
In anticipation ofGoodrich, one can compare it to one of Keaton’s most beloved comedic works, 1983’sMr. Mom. While the comedic tone of Goodrich seems more grounded in a sincere exploration of emotions versus the more slightly over-the-top tone ofMr. Mom, both tackle a man dealing with fatherhood thrust on him in a way that challenges the roles' conceptions. Micheal Keaton was praised for his performance in Mr. Mom, with his over-exaggeration in delivery and mannerisms, offering perfect comedic timing. Again, while Goodrich is more realistic in tone, Keaton has also matured as an actor, and it will be exciting to see him step into a modernized movie exploring themes of fatherhood with a mix of humor and heartfelt drama.
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Outside ofMr. Mom, dramedies are often understated in Keaton’s career. This includes the vastlyunderrated ’90s satirical comedyThe Paper, where he navigates the pressures of playing editor for a tabloid caught up in a real-life crime, to the exploration of addiction with a dark wit in 1988’sClean and Sober. More recently, one can look to dramedies likeThe Founderand Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)as showcasing Keaton’s ability to balance serious drama with humor impactfully. Still,Goodrichlooks to offer fans of Keaton a chance for him to touch on themes of fatherhood explored inMr. Momin a modern and emotionally driven context.
Where to Watch Goodrich
While fans of Keaton and dramedies focused on the importance of familial bonds will have to wait for the release ofGoodrich, there is good reason to be excited about the upcoming film.Not only does it see Keaton returning to a role suiting his strengths, balancing comedy with thoughtful, dramatic elements,butGoodrichlooks to be a sincere exploration of challenges the modern family faces, focusing mainly on one-daughter/father relationships. The trailer certainly has us excited, and it will be a welcome return to form for the actor after the highly anticipatedBeetlejuice Beetlejuice.Goodrich, starring Michael Keaton and Mila Kunis, will be released in theaters on August 12, 2025.
