Bradley Cooper directs the comedy-drama film Is This Thing On? starring Will Arnett as Alex Novak and Laura Dern as Tess Novak, a couple whose marriage quietly unravels, prompting Alex to discover a new calling in stand-up comedy.
Cooper himself appears in a supporting role, joined by an ensemble that includes Andra Day, Sean Hayes, Amy Sedaris, Christine Ebersole, and Ciarán Hinds. It’s a story that blends humor with heartbreak – a modern, mature take on life, love, and reinvention.
Is This Thing On? made its world premiere as the closing film of the 63rd New York Film Festival. Searchlight Pictures will release the film in U.S. cinemas on December 19, 2025.
Here is the 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.
The Guardian review gave the film described as a ‘gentle romcom of divorce and standup comedy’ 4 of 5 stars the film, writing, “Is This Thing On? starts with a punchline – sad divorced dad stumbles into a bar as a cry for help – and smartly works backward; like a great routine, beneath the jokes lurks something tender, grounded and real.”
Watch the official trailer for Is This Thing On? above. (see the teaser trailer)
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