Is This Thing On Trailer, Fun Facts & Review
Is This Thing On Synopsis:
As Alex (Will Arnett) and Tess (Laura Dern) deal with a divorce after many years together. Approaching middle age, Alex starts fresh as a stand-up comedian in New York City, while Tess reassesses her own life and the sacrifices she made for their family. The movie explores themes of co-parenting, self-discovery, and how love changes over time.
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Release Date: In theaters December 19th, 2025
Is This Thing On Fun Facts:
Real-Life Experiences:
The movie is based on the real-life experiences of British stand-up comedian John Bishop, who started a career in stand-up comedy after getting a divorce.
Star-Studded Cast:
The movie features a talented group of cast that includes Oscar winner Laura Dern and Oscar nominees Bradley Cooper, Andra Day, and Ciarán Hinds.
Third Directorial Feature:
This movie marks the third time Bradley Cooper has directed, following his well-received projects "A Star Is Born" and "Maestro."
Bradley Cooper's Many Roles:
Along with directing and co-writing the screenplay, Cooper also performs in the movie and operated the B-camera while filming.
Early Casting Change:
Emily Blunt was originally cast for a lead role but had to drop out due to conflicts with another project.
Festival Premieres:
The movie is set to have its world premiere as the closing film at the New York Film Festival on October 10th, 2025, before its theatrical release in the United States on December 19th, 2025.
Is This Thing On Review:
Is This Thing On? is the third movie directed by Bradley Cooper. Unlike his first two movies, A Star Is Born (2018) and Maestro (2023), which were big and focused on serious themes, this new movie feels much more personal and realistic; it is a quiet look at a husband and wife as their marriage slowly falls apart.
The movie is based on the true-life story of British comedian John Bishop. It stars Will Arnett as Alex Novak, a regular dad whose 20-year marriage to Tess (Laura Dern) has slowly and quietly fallen apart.
The story begins with Alex, feeling lost in his new single life in a New York City apartment, and he ends up at a comedy club called the Comedy Cellar. In an attempt to avoid the $15 entry fee, he decides to sign up for the open-mic night. What happens next is an honest, uncomfortable, and unexpectedly healing process where Alex takes to the stage to express the pain and ridiculousness of his divorce. Alex discovered that the crowd is very receptive of him, and his pain comes across more like humor than a midlife crisis.
Recognized for his loud voice and sense of humor, Arnett gives his best dramatic performance to date. Here he is much more quiet and emotional; he plays a lonely man struggling with single life that feels real and honest, and he makes the character feel like a real human being rather than a joke.
Laura Dern plays Tess as a complex person, not just a cliché "angry ex-wife." The character has her own story: she was once a great Olympic volleyball player and is now finding herself again by becoming a coach. Because she and Arnett have such great chemistry, their breakup feels painful and real—you can tell they still love each other.
Bradley Cooper takes a smaller role this time as "Balls," Alex’s quirky, laid-back stoner best friend. His performance may be a bit too wild compared to the lead star, but his character makes the movie much funnier and lighter.
Cooper continues to work with cinematographer Matthew Libatique just as he did in his previous two films. The movie uses handheld cameras and close-up shots that feel like a real-life documentary. This style of filmmaking feels more like a raw, behind-the-scenes look at two individuals trying to determine if they can remain friends while they move on with their lives.
Is This Thing On? is a smart, grown-up look at how people change for the better in middle age, rather than just having a "mid-life crisis." It doesn't give simple answers or a perfect "happy ending." Instead, it shows how complicated long-term love really is in a way that feels honest and stays with you long after the movie is over.