Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- melancholic
- date night
- quiet evening
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Bradley Cooper's grounded direction, the intimate New York atmosphere, and the emotionally candid chemistry between Will Arnett and Laura Dern.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Alex's entry into stand-up gives form to his middle-aged dissatisfaction and private emotional struggle.
Alex and Tess confront divorce, family sacrifices, and the consequences of their shared history.
Close-up stand-up scenes and emotionally focused cinematography emphasize Alex's vulnerability and the couple's charged exchanges.
Alex seeks a new purpose in New York's comedy scene while navigating middle age and divorce.
Films like Is This Thing On?, and why
The Squid and the Whale
shared middle-aged relationship drama, dry humor, and emotionally candid treatment of marriage
Enough Said
shared bittersweet romantic comedy, adult self-reinvention, and New York setting
The Big Sick
shared stand-up comedy milieu, intimate character study, and painful self-examination
Marriage Story
shared marriage conflict, mature performances, and witty domestic drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Bradley Cooper
- Release Date
- 2025-12-19
- Runtime
- 121 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (212)
Cast
- Will Arnett
- Laura Dern
- Andra Day
- Bradley Cooper
- Christine Ebersole
- Ciarán Hinds
- Amy Sedaris
- Sean Hayes
- Scott Icenogle
- Blake Kane
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Fandango
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Is This Thing On? about?
- A middle-aged man turns to stand-up comedy while his unraveling marriage forces both spouses to reconsider love, family, and purpose.
- What is Is This Thing On? like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Is This Thing On? as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Is This Thing On? violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Is This Thing On?.
- What did critics think of Is This Thing On??
- Critics broadly praised Bradley Cooper's grounded direction, the intimate New York atmosphere, and the emotionally candid chemistry between Will Arnett and Laura Dern.
- Which films are like Is This Thing On??
- Films with a similar feel include The Squid and the Whale, Enough Said, The Big Sick, and Marriage Story.
- How long is Is This Thing On??
- Is This Thing On? runs 121 minutes.
- Where can I watch Is This Thing On??
- In United States, Is This Thing On? streams on Hulu.
