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Is This Thing On?

Play trailer 2:23 Poster for Is This Thing On? R In Theaters Jan 9 2h 4m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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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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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. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
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... Go to Full Review
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. Go to Full Review
James Mottram Radio Times 20h
3/5
Arnett is an amiable, earnest lead, however, while Dern is typically classy. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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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 See more C W 3d Loved the concept that Love conquers character defects and all that comes with it See more 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. See more Samuel G 5d Loved it for the film’s ability show another perspective on how relationships change. See more 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?! See more 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. See more Read all reviews
Is This Thing On?

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