An Angel Called Keanu Reeves: The Right Actor for the Right Role

If God needed one of His angels to go down to Earth in the shape of a human being, He would probably choose to materialize him in a humble man like Keanu Reeves.

An Unexpected Answer

In one of my recent Personal Branding trainings with a team of digital specialists, we did an exercise called The Hall of Greatness: “Guys, please identify five people that you consider role models for you; people that have had a positive impact in your life over the years, turning into a source of admiration. Can be relatives, friends, colleagues, teachers or even public figures.” Additionally, I provided four criteria to help them justify their choices: i) Values & Principles; ii) Direct impact on the community; iii) Life story; iv) Other relevant factors (subject to each participant’s judgement). Then, after giving them some time to complete the individual work, each one of them had to come to the front and share their TOP 5 personal brands with the class.

And to my astonishment, amidst the most common answers (parents, grandparents, wife/husband and current/past team leader), one person mentioned the Canadian actor Keanu Reeves. “Hum, interesting… But why?”, I wondered. With not much information, my immediate guess was: “it must be due to his character”. In fact, I always perceived Keanu Reeves as an outsider within the Hollywood landscape — and I believe many of us too — thanks to his intellectual and spiritual depth, the testimonials of his fellow colleagues as well as the viral videos where we see him doing ordinary things like any other person: taking the subway, eating a sandwich outside, and on top of that, having friendly interactions with strangers in the middle of the street.  

Therefore, in contrast with the extravagance, glamour and collateral dangers of the bohemian lifestyle of showbiz, Keanu seems a humble, generous and low-key individual – traits that have generated admiration from the general public and his peers alike. Away from the spotlight whenever possible – including on social media –, for him being an actor seems to be the exact same thing as being a waiter, a taxi driver or an electrician; he’s just doing his job like any other job and that’s it! There should not be any social status gap between them, since they’re all worthy and necessary to society. All in all: the concept of “celebrity” doesn’t seem to apply to this special character: one that stands out precisely because he avoids standing out.

Side note: we’ve just seen an example of the power of perception, because I don’t really know his story in depth. These are just preconceived ideas and associations taken from fragmented pieces of information randomly collected over the years without knowing the ins and outs of it. And yet, as incomplete as they sound, they formulate my assessment of his reputation.

From Devil’s Advocate to Angel Gabriel

Regardless of the film genre, the plots where most of Keanu’s characters come to life are not easy to digest since they carry a lot of emotional weight, while manifesting multiple psychological layers; ones that not only provoke mixed feelings, but also raise disturbing, thought-provoking questions. From playing The Devil’s Advocate at Al Pacino’s service (1997), to deciding which pill to take – red or blue – in The Matrix (1999), Keanu is capable of putting us in uncomfortable situations in front of the screen. And he does it in his own way. His so-called anti-acting style – enigmatic yet convincing, powerful but subtle, intense but quiet – converts him into a relatable hero who is perfect for “cool under pressure”, creating a sense of calm in chaos no matter what. Interestingly enough, this unconventional approach has been a hot topic amongst the critics (some argue that he’s a great example of a “good bad actor”), which also fuels an ongoing fascination around his mysterious persona. In that regard one of his fans once said: “People go to movies to watch Keanu be Keanu. They don’t go to movies to see Keanu be someone else.” At the end of the day, one might conclude that he’s the personification of stoicism: doing extraordinary things through an ordinary approach, on and off the set.

Now, we can apply that same logic to the role of guardian angels. It sounds weird, I know, but let me explain. In the light of Christian teachings, guardian angels are spiritual beings with supernatural abilities to influence our material world according to God’s instructions. Example: protecting those who are texting on their phones when driving, preventing them from having a car accident. However, despite their incredible power, angels are light-years away from stardom both on Earth and in Heaven. Why? Because they’re invisible to human sight and they represent the lowest rung of the celestial hierarchy. Meaning: they do an amazing job without receiving applause from the client and without prospects of being promoted by their Boss. And guess what: they’re fine with it! They’re humble servants. They just want to praise God by helping His beloved creatures – we, human beings – getting through this crazy world without messing things too much.  

All things considered, let’s see how this supernatural world sets the stage for the most recent movie starred by Keanu Reeves:  

From watching the trailer and the whole movie, one can induce three insightful ideas:

1. Based on a Real Person

What you see is what you get.

We realize from the very first scene that Keanu’s charisma and virtue-based character are naturally embedded by his character, an angel called Gabriel, who’s on a mission to rescue – apparently without Good Fortune – a precarious part-time worker that, deception after deception, loses hope in brighter days. As the trailer suggests, Gabriel is bored of his Texting and Driving assignment and so, seeing that young man completely wasted, he seizes an opportunity to “gain wings” and make a bigger impact on society: “I’m here to save you!”, he says cheerfully. Hence, he takes the risky move of breaking the spiritual laws of Heaven to visit, and make himself visible to Arj, the character played by Aziz Ansari (who also writes and directs).

Having said that, and considering what we’ve mentioned above, the movie conveys, in a sharply coherent way, the symbiosis between Keanu Reeves and the role of an angel. This harmonious alignment “actor-character” not only strengthens Reeve’s personal brand as a kind and altruist individual, but also reinforces the credibility of the actual story. Furthermore, if you pay close attention to the visuals, apart from the small wings stuck to his back that prevent him from flying (a sign of the low-level angelic position he holds), Gabriel’s appearance is pretty much in line with Reeves’ look in real life. A coincidence? Certainly not.

2. The Comic Side of Disgrace

Laughing is the best medicine.

Thank God the film is a comedy; otherwise I would most likely have left the movie theatre completely depressed. In the end, the plot addresses the harsh reality of our modern time: the proliferation of the so-called gig economy, the delivery of food and other goods by people in poor working conditions, the housing crisis, the social inequalities between the working class and the tech and financial elite, alongside the fast-paced automation of many economic sectors. Given this background, the social message is biting and disturbing, but with Good Fortune, it is portrayed in a light-hearted way. And for that purpose, angel Gabriel is the ultimate protagonist. In one funny scene, Gabriel offers his new pupil Arj a glimpse into his future to encourage him to believe that his life is worth living. Nevertheless, Arj is far from impressed by the vision: he sees himself peeing in a bottle on an Amazon job, living with in-laws, and being unable to afford medical bills for a pet. After all, Gabriel’s well-meaning intentions don’t work out as planned, because he’s cutely inept and clumsy.

But the movie’s turning point comes when the angel, now desperate, tries to teach the poor guy a lesson à la Reeves: that money can’t buy happiness. How? By swapping Arj’s life with that of Jeff (Seth Rogen), a wealthy venture capitalist who had just fired him from his job as a personal assistant. Once again, Gabriel interferes within the established spiritual jurisdiction and, as a consequence for his disobedience, he gets severely punished: he’s no longer an angel, but a human – a tremendous humiliation! Result: he’s heartbroken, with broken wings. And to make things worse, his identity-switching plan backfires. While Arj has the best time of his life drinking margaritas in his ex-boss’s swimming pool surrounded by beauties, Gabriel and Jeff have no option but to fight to survive. And that’s where things get tricky! Helpless and frustrated, they experience a series of adventures that the ordinary citizen feels as a daily struggle. From sharing a bedroom at a dodgy motel, to washing dishes at a Mexican restaurant, ex-angel Gabriel feels the burden of human misery and ends up living in “depressed mode”. Roles have indeed flipped and money – contrary to what he had preached – seems to make a real difference…

Throughout this crossing desert, Keanu surprises us with some epic moments that uplift our spirit and make us laugh out loud: he takes a cigarette break in the back of the restaurant complaining about life, he learns how to dance at a latino club and, who would have thought, he gets addicted to fast food. Yes, resembling a child, he discovers the pleasure that we humans have from eating chicken nuggets and drinking milkshakes! An absolute cracker and a glimpse of hope for all of us.

3. Cosmic Truths Affecting Our Lives

Angels vs Demons: the battle between Light and Darkness.

“What if I told you that God and the devil made a wager, a kind of standing bet for the souls of all mankind?” This is the premise of Constantine (2005), a cult supernatural thriller where Keanu Reeves stars as John Constantine, a demon hunter who faces the invisible world of angels and demons that exists beneath the streets of contemporary Los Angeles (the same setting of Good Fortune). Confronted with this dantesque realm from an early age, he teams up with a police detective to tackle the spiritual threat in place, adopting the Action Man (warrior) archetype. Equipped with lethal guns, he shoots as many demons as he can in an attempt to prevent these evil spirits from influencing the visible world, i.e., taking souls to Hell.

Fast-forward twenty years, we see angel Gabriel committing to a similar mission: save one man’s soul from the damnation of a broken society that is eager to disintegrate social structures and destroy personal dreams, leading to material and spiritual poverty. Yes, the means are different, the tone is different, but the conflict is the same: Light vs Darkness; Heaven vs Hell. Whereas Light represents God, truth, love, goodness, life, salvation; Darkness symbolises evil, rebellion, ignorance, sin, death, condemnation. “Sure I believe in God and the Devil, but they don’t have to have pitchforks and a long white beard”, Keanu’s words. And, whether you believe it or not, these are the most significant cosmic truths affecting our lives.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” – Ephesians 6:12

“The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light.” – Romans 13:12   

It’s a spiritual battle we face every single day. Ultimately, we are free to decide whether we want to take the red pill (accepting reality, even if painful) or the blue pill (remaining in a comfortable, controlled illusion); whether we want to act as God’s advocate or Devil’s advocate, as an angel or a demon.

The Hollywood Christ Waiting for Salvation

A heart-filled person with a heart-breaking story.

In Lose Yourself, Eminem sang “on the surface he looks calm and ready”, but has it always been this way for Keanu? No way. Before becoming a symbol of humility and groundedness, Keanu Reeves lived through a series of hardships that would leave deep marks on anyone.

He was born into an unstable family environment. His father left when Keanu was only three years old, and their contact ended completely by the time he was thirteen. His mother remarried several times, which meant frequent moves, new schools, and long periods being raised by grandparents or caregivers. On top of that, Keanu struggled academically due to dyslexia, eventually being expelled from one school and dropping out of another.

Adulthood brought even heavier blows. In 1993, he lost his closest friend, River Phoenix, to a drug overdose — a tragedy that affected him profoundly. A few years later, Keanu and his partner Jennifer Syme experienced the stillbirth of their daughter, Ava. The grief strained their relationship, and although they separated, they remained close. Eighteen months later, Jennifer died in a car accident, adding another devastating loss to an already painful chapter.

During this period, Keanu also spent nearly a decade supporting his sister Kim as she battled leukemia. He paused professional commitments, funded her treatments, and stayed by her side until she eventually went into remission. Later, he quietly donated significant sums to cancer research, choosing not to attach his name to the contributions.

Taken together, these events reveal a life marked by abandonment, illness, and repeated grief – a sequence of trials that would test even the strongest spirit. And when you look at all of this, you can’t help but sigh: “Jesus, what a heavy cross to bear…”

And he bore it with no drama.

Quietly.

Relentlessly.

Work after work.

Movie after movie.    

Casting out his own demons.

Indeed, through the artistic expression of the roles he has played in The Devil’s Advocate, The Matrix, Constantine, The Good Fortune and many other blockbusters, the 61-year-old actor has been challenged to look deep within and reflect on life’s most daunting questions. Thoughtful and free from the oppression of fame, he’s not afraid of sharing his wounds, doubts, and fears, while seeking spiritual wisdom to guide his life. Notably, he pursues it with a serene grace despite – or perhaps because of – the Calvary he has faced off-screen.

[On self-awareness] | ramp.space #29, 12 September 2023 

Q: If you want to leave the boundaries of your self, you have to know where those boundaries are. How do you get to know yourself?

KR: That’s a good question. I’ve tried several different techniques that can help with this. You have to try to objectively understand your feelings and how you react to certain experiences. Then you begin to understand about suffering, the nature of suffering, the impermanence of suffering.

You reflect on the reason for your actions and desires so you can influence them. That also includes trying to understand other people. Part of my job is observation. But you also need life experience. You can’t have one without the other. You have to pay attention to what you see and put it into your chest of resources that you can draw upon. That has helped me to open up. It was like doing therapy, in a way.

Q: Was it a difficult process?

KR: It is anything but simple, because you can never see the whole picture. What I mean is, you can only get so far ahead of yourself and can never get completely away. And then you get into this conundrum of can you even be objective? Is there even such a thing as free will? That’s all pretty complex and I’m not sure I’m making any sense. It’s a bit like plowing snow. You can only see so far ahead of you.

[On grief] | The Guardian, 18 May 2019

Q: What is it about grief that interests you?

KR: Well, for the character and in life, it’s about the love of the person you’re grieving for, and any time you can keep company with that fire, it is warm. I absolutely relate to that, and I don’t think you ever work through it. Grief and loss, those are things that don’t ever go away. They stay with you.

[On death] | BBC News, 23 July 2024

Q: I wonder what you’ve both learned about man’s mortality. Is it something that you think about a lot?

KR: Yeah, I’m 59, so I’m thinking about death all the time […] I mean, I think thinking about death is good. Hopefully it’s not crippling, but it sensitizes [us] to an appreciation of the breath we have, and the relationships that we have the potential to have.

[On life after death] | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, 10 May 2019

Q: What do you think happens when we die?

KR: I know that the ones who love us will miss us.

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Sometimes, for someone to become an angel, he needs to go through Hell first. In Keanu’s story, his creative work as an actor and storyteller enabled him not only to survive but to thrive, channeling all the sorrow and pain for the benefit of something greater than his own healing: performing complex characters that audiences emphatize with and, most importantly, helping people around him with genuine care and love.

On the outside, he’s a black angel: black T-shirt, black denim and black boots, dark hair, and dark eyes. On the inside, we know he’s a white angel who’s just livin’ my life, just doin’ my thing, manifesting kindness everywhere he goes.

Immersed in this constant ambiguity between Light and Darkness, hopefully his soul can find eternal redemption not by relying on himself or on his good works, but on the infinite and transcendent Love of our Savior Jesus Christ:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” – John 11:25-26

Amen!  

If you enjoyed this reflection, explore more at my blog: tomasvpstoryteller.com.