Film Review - Is This Thing On?

Images courtesy of 20th Century Studios.

Despite the central theme of music in his earlier directorial work, Bradley Cooper’s latest comedy, Is This Thing On?, abandons that topic entirely, exposing a noticeable lack of rhythm in its pacing and dialogue. Cooper’s first two films, A Star Is Born and Maestro, received largely positive reception and earned recognition from the Academy, with their narrative ambitions clearly and confidently realised. Is This Thing On? veers in the opposite direction; its chaotic energy works against it, framing characters awkwardly rather than generating comedic momentum. The result is an unevenly humorous film which has struggled to attract critical acclaim or gain traction this awards season.

Selected as the closing night film of 2025’s New York Film Festival, Is This Thing On? maintains the thematic thread of Cooper’s previous efforts in exploring the nuances and melancholic side of long-term romantic relationships. It centres on characters Alex (Will Arnett) and Tess (Laura Dern), who amicably split after twenty years of marriage. Shortly after, an inexperienced Alex attempts stand up comedy, using the microphone to confess the complexities of his relationship with Tess, and prompting later discussions of their contrasting personalities and communication styles.

The duality of divorce and stand-up comedy is used with originality, allowing the audience to experience the separation largely through Alex’s comedic perspective. Following each major plot point and interaction between the central couple, Cooper reveals Alex’s view through his stand-up sets. 

Cooper pairs this comical perspective with fleetingly tender moments; Tess struggles living without her children part-time, and Alex quietly savours reconnecting with his wife. These intimate moments provide significant depth to the characters, enabling Dern and Arnett to demonstrate the full emotional tones of the film with nuance and authenticity.

Alex and Tess’ extended circle of friends (including Cooper as Alex’s brother Ball, and Andra Day as Ball’s wife Christine) are comparatively one-dimensional, existing largely to support the central couple. While scenes with Alex, Tess and their sons deepen the emotional nuance of their relationships, the ensemble sequences add little substance. The friends’ attempts at comedy are ill-fitting and redundant, offering laughs that are more effectively delivered through Arnett’s stand-up performances.

Is This Thing On? ultimately finds its strength in the emotional nuance of its central relationship, anchored by convincing performances from Arnett and Dern. These brilliant performances are tender but undermined by uneven pacing and one-dimensional side characters. While comedy is effective in framing Alex’s experience, Cooper’s attempt to create a chaotic, humorous ensemble is unsuccessful. As a result, the film is peppered with hints of nuance and originality but ultimately struggles to develop these cohesively. 

Is This Thing On? is screening in cinemas now. For tickets and more info, click here.