Is This Thing On?

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2:13

Is This Thing On?

R

In Theaters Dec 19

2h 4m

Comedy

Drama

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91%

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47 Reviews

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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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Bradley Cooper

Director

Will Arnett

Alex Novak

Laura Dern

Tess Novak

Andra Day

Actor

Bradley Cooper

Actor

Amy Sedaris

Actor

Jesse Hassenger

AV Club

Is This Thing On? obviously prides itself in dropping into the action without a lot of exposition, yet Cooper can’t resist circling back for some arguments that fill in those missing details.

Rated: B-

Nov 14, 2025

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Billie Melissa

Newsweek

[It] reminds us that there is a possibility to restore the relationships we feel slipping through our fingers if we meet our friends and family where they're at, and allow them to flourish in new ways, as well as giving ourselves the same grace.

Oct 21, 2025

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Kyle Smith

Wall Street Journal

The routines that are meant to show off his talent are a weak point, though the movie picks up considerably in its second half, which underlines how marriages benefit from communication.

Oct 16, 2025

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Rachel Wagner

Rachel's Reviews (YouTube)

I really liked this movie. Moving, authentic. One of the best of the year. Great script

Nov 14, 2025

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Kyle Pinion

Screen Rex

Arnett delivers an excellent worn-down performance in some of the rawest, most thrilling minutes I've seen this year—before the film topples its own belief in the story.

Nov 11, 2025

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Jack Martin

Film Feeder

A wonderful surprise from Cooper, more so than his other movies, as his naturalistic approach works wonders for a more grounded story about what it is to find and rediscover love, while also having a good old laugh about it all.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 6, 2025

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Is This Thing On?: Teaser Trailer

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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: Electric Avenue Productions, Lea Pictures
Rating: R (Language Throughout|Some Drug Use|Sexual References)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 19, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 2h 4m