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Is This Thing On?

Play trailer 2:23 Poster for Is This Thing On? R Now Playing 2h 4m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Is This Thing On?

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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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Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
Michael Nordine Movie Brief 19h
Funny in a sad way and sad in a funny way. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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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! See more 8h A little confusing and parts seemed to detract from the narrative but a beautiful slice of life movie with a unique plot See more 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! See more 11h Started slow but soon fell into it. Nice exploration of reality when we believe we deserve perfection. See more 20h Thought it was great. Good story line, good acting and really nailed what it’s like to start as a standup. See more 20h Some scenes didn't advance plot or have an emotional meaning. See more Read all reviews
Is This Thing On?

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Is This Thing On?

Is This Thing On?: Movie Clip - In Love With Stand-Up Is This Thing On?: Movie Clip - In Love With Stand-Up 0:53 View more videos

Movie Info

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)