Is This Thing On?

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2:23

Is This Thing On?

R

In Theaters Jan 9

2h 4m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

112 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

50+ 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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In Theaters Jan 9

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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

Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

1h

3.5/4

Is This Thing On? is gratefully never cynical, just aware that the happily-ever-after scenario doesn’t cover the the scope of what relationships are all about.

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Odie Henderson

Boston Globe

5h

2/4

A standard issue divorce movie, with scenes you’ve seen countless times before, just with less bitterness and more quirk.

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Carla Meyer

San Francisco Chronicle

6h

3/4

Scenes inside the cramped club hum with excitement and touches of anxiety heightened by Libatique’s handheld camera work.

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Laura Clifford

Reeling Reviews

9h

B+

Arnett, asea separately, and Dern, energetic on her own, are just wonderful together, convincing of a long held partnership that could use some refreshing, each changing for the better having been given room to grow. Cooper is great comic relief...

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Rendy Jones

Rendy Reviews

9h

3.5/5

A heartfelt and sincere romantic comedy that explores the themes of aging and the hobbies that help us find our better halves again, all of which is fueled by the exceptional screen chemistry between Will Arnett and Laura Dern.

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James Mottram

Radio Times

20h

3/5

Arnett is an amiable, earnest lead, however, while Dern is typically classy.

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jmg

3d

this movie was great in my opinion will arnet- omg I don't know where his talent has been hiding but he will be nominated for an Academy Award. he's been so underrated for too long Laura Dern was amazing too I get a little sick of Bradley Cooper's frequent extended close-ups (we get it your character is emotional) but overall it's just tremendous

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C W

3d

Loved the concept that Love conquers character defects and all that comes with it

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Grace T

4d

Incredibly well acted, raw, relatable, but still makes the theater laugh together. Particularly loved the dialogue and how ad-libbed it felt (in the best way). Really hope this movie gets the flowers it deserves, think it represents a very honest story we can all empathize with.

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Samuel G

5d

Loved it for the film’s ability show another perspective on how relationships change.

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Ido K

@BrandStrategyGuru 5h

I didn’t expect this film to be this good. What a terrific script. And who knew Will Arnett is such a good actor?!

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Amber F.

@AmberFromCA 2d

Love a well done dramedy. A good balance of the main characters home life and comedy club. Not a Laura Dern fan but she’s not as annoying in this. I’ll always see a Bradley Cooper project, and this is another well shot and put together film.

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

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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): $135.8K
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.66:1)