Is This Thing On?
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- Trailer 1 (02:23)
Movie Info & Cast
Synopsis
As their marriage unravels, Alex faces middle age and divorce, seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene. Meanwhile, his wife Tess confronts sacrifices made for their family, forcing them to navigate co-parenting and identities.
Cast
- Will Arnett
- Dylan Bickel
- Laila Boccella
- Jonathan Burke
- Reggie Conquest
- Bradley Cooper
- Andra Day
- Laura Dern
- Christine Ebersole
- Gabe Fazio
Moviegoers are saying
Bradley Cooper's latest directorial effort divides audiences with its deeply personal exploration of marriage through comedy, featuring Cooper as a character literally named 'Balls' who turns to stand-up at the Comedy Cellar when his relationship with Laura Dern crumbles. While some viewers dismiss it as another Cooper 'working through it' vanity project, others find genuine wisdom in its portrayal of lost identity and communication breakdown in marriage.
Top Mentions
Summary generated from the text of Atom User reviews
Letterboxd User Reviews
3.4
136.6K
39.0K
37.1K
- Oct 26, 2025
Oh, sure, Laura Dern, why don't you go ahead and divorce the guy who's wearing a $5000 suit, COME ON
James (Schaffrillas)Oct 12, 2025another coop film where he’s Working Through It. huge win for the bojack horseman community, bradley cooper is basically playing mr peanut butter. need more movies about how everyone should find a hobby
KarstenOct 24, 2025100% doing this when my marriage implodes. shoutout to Bradley Cooper for casting himself as a character named "Balls." (and then somehow elevating Balls into the best part of the movie)
davidehrlich - Nov 6, 2025
Bradley Cooper’s character names in his directed films: - Jackson Maine - Leonard Bernstein - Balls
jonathan fujiiDec 23, 2025so funny to say "i know a great place around the corner" and it's fully the comedy cellar
siviDec 18, 2025Kind of the most “what the helly” thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Coop on camera a minor miracle; in Balls we trust, etc. Why did they all sing amazing grace? I thought I was having a stroke
fran hoepfner - Oct 14, 2025
sorry under pressure needle drop you will never be aftersun
aaronDec 27, 2025Divorced dad apartments are so harrowing
Sydney🚀Oct 14, 2025finally, a director who appreciates will arnett's raw sexual magnetism the way I do. weird that it's bradley cooper
Ellie ✨
Queue Community Reviews
86%
Community 1,228
Top Reviews
- Thomas Joyce likedIs This Thing On?
Is This Thing On? is a much more lowkey directorial effort from Cooper. He plays it cool, the whole film plays out less ‘performative’ - feeling more like a film he actually wanted to make opposed to it being a good idea to make. Big fan of comedian John Bishop, of whom the story is based off,…
Will V. likedIs This Thing On?Nice movie. Great acting and decent pacing. Somewhat dramatic because of the realism but I probably would not recommend as a comedy movie. Not really sure why, just dont think this movie is for everyone… but it is moving. The standup was decently funny but not great, was kinda expecting more. TBH…
Jollfoogfl lovedIs This Thing On?9.1 I thought this was a great movie overall. I’m not a big shaky camera guy but it wasn’t throughout. Will Arnet was great in this so was Jordan Jensen and the wife. It wasn’t incredible there were times were it fell flat and it definitely could’ve been slightly shorter. I just really loved…
- Bennie likedIs This Thing On?
Was about halfway through when I learned Bradley Cooper isn’t the main character but actually someone else in the film. Anyways, love a good divorced dad apartment feature, that’s how you know you’re in for a scary ride. Very honest portrayal of divorce and midlife identity. 7
Matt Ortiz lovedIs This Thing On?The intended outcome of this film is that Bradley Cooper delivers a finely tuned dramedy that should get more recognition than it will. The unintended consequence is going to be a new wave of middle aged white men flooding stand up open mics. Full review: https://boxd.it/cB66sh
SteveO likedIs This Thing On?The real standouts are Will Arnett and Laura Dern. Their struggle to be happy in a suffering marriage makes for a captivating drama. The mic was loud enough for each of them to hear each other’s wants. Using their outlets to be happy might be a cure for all of the audience too.
- jam jammy jambam lovedIs This Thing On?
Both dern and arnett were phenomenal. Cooper had the biggest laughs in my screening. Really heartfelt. Did not like that one line towards the end, you’ll probably know which one. The under pressure payoff was nice. So glad it’s used in a happy context here. Aftersun :(
Alex lovedIs This Thing On?Super good movie with a lot of heart. The main couple was really refreshing with how honest and funny they were with each other. The comedy stuff was really cool, that was a nice way for him to express himself, and it was cool that that community was so welcoming.
Ky lovedIs This Thing On?This movie was incredible! I haven’t felt that deeply uncomfortable with secondhand embarrassment in a while. This movie was beautifully BEAUTIFULLY paced though. Casting was perfect, Will Arnett is unbelievable. Brad, my man, you killed this one
Atom Users Reviews
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Reviews
- DRDemetrius Reynolds
This movie hits so many cords because it’s true that identity can get lost in marriage but beyond that is the communication and being able to translate what a partner need in their time of need. Great redemption of broken love restored in this film. Kudos to the cast and…
GCGrace CabunocHonest comedy can be the best therapy.... at least in this marriage scenario. I think this is a good watch for newlyweds or couples contemplating marriage. 🤷🏽♀️
GDGerri Davillier - SPScott ProbeckABAaron BoyceJCJames Alphonse Gericho Castillo
- CSCarsten SchmidtBLBruce LangsteinerGMGary Moses
Metacritic
Dec 19, 2025
Just when this thing seems dead, though, the movie picks up considerably, and the much-better second half nearly redeems it. I give the credit to an experienced conjurer of the unexpected triumph: Peyton Manning.
Kyle Smith
Wall Street Journal
Dec 16, 2025
A deeply felt film about one teetering marriage, and a work whose power sneaks up on you slowly.
Jocelyn Noveck
The Associated Press
Dec 15, 2025
Is This Thing On? isn’t a dishy, insider’s view of the New York comedy scene, and it isn’t trying to be. It knows that its best material lies elsewhere.
Justin Chang
The New Yorker
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