Is This Thing On?

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Is This Thing On?

R

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2h 4m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

149 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

250+ Verified Ratings

As their marriage quietly unravels, Alex (Will Arnett) faces middle age and an impending divorce, seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene while Tess (Laura Dern) confronts the sacrifices she made for their family--forcing them to navigate co-parenting, identity, and whether love can take a new form.

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Critics Consensus

Mining sly humor from its mature portrait of a failing marriage, Is This Thing On? is another terrific relationship study from Bradley Cooper and an ideal platform for Will Arnett's dramatic chops.

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David Sims

The Atlantic

2d

The tone reminded me most of the work of Cameron Crowe... Nobody could lob a sincere, big-feelings dramedy over the plate better than Crowe. Is This Thing On?, in its strongest moments, brushes against those heights.

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Katie Walsh

Tribune News Service

3d

2.5/4

The best thing about the movie is Cooper showcasing this great performance from Arnett, who shines under the spotlight.

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Annie Berke

The New Republic

Jan 10

The movie’s warm, spacious heart lies with Arnett and Dern, the vulnerable performances they turn in, and the care with which they are filmed.

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Michael Nordine

Movie Brief

19h

Funny in a sad way and sad in a funny way.

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Blake Howard

One Heat Minute

1d

2/4

On paper, it’s a familiar midlife recalibration story: work, marriage, identity, creativity. On screen, it plays like a series of almost moments that never quite click into rhythm.

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Tori Preston

Pajiba

2d

It lets Cooper's talents as a director shine even as he takes a backseat as an actor. There is no whiff of flop-sweat to this thing, only the cool confidence of a guy who loves what he does and is damn good at it.

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8h

Thank you all for a movie about the human experience, the struggle of it and the joy! Excellent performances, bravo! This is what all the money spent on movies should be about!

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8h

A little confusing and parts seemed to detract from the narrative but a beautiful slice of life movie with a unique plot

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9h

Will Arnett was amazing and ❤️ I always knew he was a total leading man. Laura Dern was simply perfect. Such a rich story - funny and heartbreaking and glorious. Hard to believe there wasn't a Golden Globe. Go see this film!

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11h

Started slow but soon fell into it. Nice exploration of reality when we believe we deserve perfection.

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20h

Thought it was great. Good story line, good acting and really nailed what it’s like to start as a standup.

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20h

Some scenes didn't advance plot or have an emotional meaning.

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Bradley Cooper

Director

Will Arnett

Alex Novak

Laura Dern

Tess Novak

Andra Day

Actor

Bradley Cooper

Actor

Amy Sedaris

Actor

Is This Thing On?: Movie Clip - In Love With Stand-Up

0:53

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Awards Leaderboard: Best Movies of 2025

Will Arnett on Stand-Up Comedy, Is This Thing On?, and Career Reflections

Will Arnett on Stand-Up Comedy, ‘Is This Thing On?,’ and Career Reflections

18:43

Is This Thing On?: Exclusive Featurette - Behind the Mic

3:09

Is This Thing On?: Trailer 1

2:23

Is This Thing On?: Teaser Trailer

2:13

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Synopsis

As their marriage quietly unravels, Alex (Will Arnett) faces middle age and an impending divorce, seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene while Tess (Laura Dern) confronts the sacrifices she made for their family--forcing them to navigate co-parenting, identity, and whether love can take a new form.

Director: Bradley Cooper
Producer: Bradley Cooper, Weston Middleton, Will Arnett, Kris Thykier
Screenwriter: Will Arnett, Mark Chappell, Bradley Cooper
Distributor: Searchlight Pictures
Production Co: Archery Pictures, Lea Pictures
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Some Drug Use|Sexual References)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 9, 2026, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.0M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.66:1)