Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett join forces for Is This Thing On?, a dramedy that transforms midlife unraveling into performance art. Set against the gritty backdrop of New York’s stand-up scene, the film follows Alex (Arnett), a recently divorced man using stand-up to piece himself back together—a journey Cooper describes not as a crisis, but a “midlife catharsis.”
The concept originated from Arnett’s real-life encounter with comedian John Bishop, whose divorce-driven comedy debut inspired Arnett and co-writer Mark Chappell to craft a story of vulnerability and reinvention. Cooper jumped onboard to co-write and direct, ensuring the tale was steeped in authenticity.
Arnett went further than script rehearsals—he performed live stand-up in character four to five nights a week for six weeks, experiencing both comedic triumphs and the brutal sting of bombing. That raw exposure feeds the heart of the film.
As for Cooper, he’s digging deep into filmmaking craftsmanship. Not only is he directing and acting, but he also operated the B-camera to capture intimate, whisper-close moments. Laura Dern, his co-star, praised his clarity of vision and ability to guide actors with subtle precision.
Scheduled to close out the 2025 New York Film Festival on October 10, Is This Thing On? hits theaters December 19—offering a heartrending, comedic look at starting over when the spotlight goes dark.
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