Is This Thing On? (2025) Movie Review: A Rarely Insightful Film about Comedy Solidifies Bradley Cooper as a Great Director

There have been many stand-up comedians who have become movie stars, but there’s been a dearth set within the world of comedy. Stand-up is a medium used to tell stories, and it’s far less interesting when the jokes have to be explained; a comedian creates an entire world on stage in which they direct the listener’s attention, and to pry any deeper is similar to learning the behind-the-scenes of a film. “Is This Thing On?” escapes these challenges because it views performing stand-up as a process of therapy. As empowering as it can be to be listened to by an enthusiastic audience, it is not an excuse to avoid personal growth.

Is This Thing On? (2025) is the third directorial effort from Bradley Cooper, who had already proven himself to be one of the most ambitious and dynamic actors of his generation. Cooper is clearly someone who understands artistic pursuits and wants to pry into the psychology of entertainers, as he helped to reinvent a classic musical with his remake of “A Star is Born” and explored the life of an iconic composer with his sophomore effort “Maestro.” “Is This Thing On?” is loosely inspired by a real story, but it could just as easily represent the many struggling people who found catharsis through comedy. It’s a sign of maturity on Cooper’s part that he is not only comfortable celebrating the jubilation of a supposedly “normal” life, but that the stand-up component of the film is merely a gateway to a deeper contemplation of marriage and mental health.

“Is This Thing On?” follows Alex Novak (Will Arnett), who is in the midst of a separation from his wife, Tess (Laura Dern), a former star volleyball player. Alex and Tess don’t necessarily show animosity towards one another, but they’ve been unable to balance responsibilities, which has led them to share custody of their two young sons. Alex may find occasional sympathy from his best friend Arnie (played by Cooper), but he finds himself drinking alone in an attempt to drown his sorrows. It’s after accidentally stumbling into a comedy club that Alex finds himself on stage during an open mic night; while he had never had the intention of being a comedian, his honest admissions about the failures in his marriage make him a surprising star on the midnight circuit.

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“Is This Thing On?” effectively captures the chaos and creativity that comes from this type of environment, in which an audience is willing to accept a performer whose style seems avant-garde, unfocused, and even clumsy. Alex doesn’t become a sensation overnight, but he feels empowered when his humorous anecdotes are met with sympathetic laughter from a crowd that seems to be on his side. Cooper shows an extraordinary level of patience and specificity in charting Alex’s growth within this niche group. At no point does he become a celebrity or develop into a flawless professional overnight. Even if it was the dispirited honesty that first gained Alex some notice, his continuance as a figure within comedy is a result of his hard work in developing routines.

These routines draw heavy inspiration from the frustrated dynamic that Alex has at home. The scenes of marital infighting are enthralling because Cooper understands that a couple that’s been married for over two decades would have picked up on each other’s rhythms. Alex is frustrated by his own unhappiness, and Tess no longer wants to be stagnant and watch opportunities slip by. The beauty of the story is that Cooper spends time with both characters individually, finding their passions, as Alex’s continued focus on comedy is intertwined with Tess’s return to coaching. Seeing these two characters circle each other whilst recognizing their mutual growth makes for a fascinating story about second chances and self-love.

Dern is well-cast in the role of a sullied, yet high-spirited leader who wants to make clear proclamations about her goals, but it’s Arnett’s disarming sensitivity that makes “Is This Thing On?” such a rousing crowdpleaser. Arnett has had a gift for both physical and stand-up comedy apparent ever since his breakthrough on “Arrested Development,” but those familiar with his riveting portrayal of mid-life anxieties in the animated series “BoJack Horseman” know that he’s capable of playing flawed, self-loathing, sad sacks.

“Is This Thing On?” is a unification of those skills, as Arnett finds warmth within a character who finds rewards within experimentation, even if he considers himself past his prime. The most important decision that Cooper makes is his portrayal of Alex as a flawed, yet determined character. Alex may not have been a perfect father or husband, but his willingness to get better makes his unusual odyssey through stand-up more emotionally resonant.

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Is This Thing On? (2025) — A still from “Is This Thing On?” (2025)

It’s easy to imagine that a shabby, off-the-grid type of production from a well-known star like Cooper could have ended up feeling like a vanity project, but “Is This Thing On” has a deliberately communal, informal approach to capturing authentic moments that has more in common with John Cassavetes or Mike Nichols than any number of failed actors-turned-directors. The attention to detail Cooper adds is not limited to the isolated world of stand-up, as he shows the same degree of meticulous construction in his depiction of age-old friends who all face the pleasures and pains of middle age.

Cooper’s eclectic supporting cast includes a hilarious Andra Day as a lifelong friend of Alex and Tess, as well as an appropriately doting portrayal of Alex’s parents by Ciaran Hinds and Christine Ebersole. The fact that Cooper cast himself as a schlubby loser with a heart of gold isn’t only a sign of humility, but confidence in that he could best contribute to the story by fulfilling a necessary ensemble role.

Some may dismiss “Is This Thing On?” as a plotless attempt to de-mythologize a fascinating art form, but Cooper finds something inspirational, moving, and frequently hilarious in the notion of self-discovery and communication. While it’s quite respectful in showing the more modest, workmanlike side of stand-up than what is usually seen on screen, “Is This Thing On” is also the rare “dramedy” that is capable of provoking laughter and tears in equal measure. Cooper’s interest in directing has been hailed as a fascinating detour from a famous star, but if he continues to make films as great as “Is This Thing On,” Cooper’s efforts as a filmmaker may eclipse his talents as a performer.