Is This Thing On?: Arnett and Dern give their all in marriage drama

Here’s some positive feedback. Is This Thing On? is one of the best surprises of the year.

Directed by Bradley Cooper, Is This Thing On? tells the story of Alex and Tess Novak (Will Arnett and Laura Dern), a married couple whose relationship is quietly unraveling. With divorce pending, Alex finds solace on the microphone when he stumbles into the New York stand-up comedy scene. Using the open mic as a way of dealing with his problems, Alex suddenly finds new life. At the same time, Tess challenges herself to confront her life and the sacrifices she has had to make along the way. As they set out on their own personal journeys, they also find themselves asking whether or not their marriage can survive the process.

Will Arnett in IS THIS THING ON? Photo by Searchlight Pictures/Jason McDonald, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2025 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

Co-written between Cooper, Arnett and Mark Chappell, Is This Thing On? is an unexpectedly magical gift for the holiday season. Part romcom, part tragi-comic drama, Cooper manages to mine the depths of relationships with sensitivity and, most importantly, honesty. Similar to Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story, Is This Thing On? gets under the skin of modern marriage with incisive wisdom and wit, creating a space that explores the darkest corners of relationships.

However, unlike Marriage Story, This Thing never fully loses hope.

Despite often being set on the comic stage, the stand-up sequences aren’t necessarily funny (at least, not in the traditional sense). Arnett’s delivery carries itself with furious intensity in some moments and ironic self-loathing in others. This isn’t the story of a man trying to ‘make it big’ in the comedy industry. Instead, it’s something far more interesting.

Will Arnett in IS THIS THING ON? Photo by Searchlight Pictures/Jason McDonald, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2025 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

Here, the stage is an opportunity for him to explore his feelings in an unfiltered and honest manner. For Alex, comedy provides an outlet. It is his therapy. His church. The place where he is able to unpack the absurdity of mid-life’s struggles and his failing marriage. It’s funny and joyful in some moments and raw and unflinching in others.

And it’s beautiful.

It’s worth noting that the title has a double meaning. Although it stems from Alex’s time on the microphone, it also calls to the state of Alex and Tess’ relationship. Without giving any spoilers, Alex and Tess’s marriage hangs in the balance throughout much of the film, with events that take them closer and further apart.

Laura Dern and Will Arnett in IS THIS THING ON? Photo by Searchlight Pictures/Jason McDonald, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2025 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

But this goes back to the notion of hope. No matter what happens to their relationship, Cooper ensures that we know these characters will be in a healthier place of life. Whereas the intensity of Marriage Story felt like we were watching a home burn to the ground, This Thing feels more like it’s under renovation. Both together and individually, the two are learning how to be better adults. If they choose to be together, they’ll be okay. If they choose to be apart, they still be okay. Even though it’s a rough ride in moments, Cooper’s central couple is on a wellness journey that will help them heal. And we never lose sight of that.

Having said this much of the credit must fall on stunning performances by Arnett and Dern. As Tess, Dern brings confidence and strength yet still feels like she’s on a journey of self-discovery. Yet the most surprising performance comes from Arnett who delivers the best work of his career. Known for his more brash comedic style, Arnett feels fully present here in a way that we simply haven’t seen before. And, together, the two veteran performers are positively electric on screen. Every moment that they share, one can feel the emotional connection between them, either positively or negatively. In essence, they could be any one of your friends who you know.

From L to R: Laura Dern, Will Arnett, and Calvin Knegten in IS THIS THING ON? Photo by Searchlight Pictures/Jason McDonald, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2025 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

They simply feel… authentic.

As Tess and Alex struggle to find their footing, Is This Thing On? stabilizes their relationship in reality. Their challenges feel familiar and genuine to anyone who is or has been in a long-term marriage. They see the value in one another but aren’t sure what it means to hold on to that same value (or even if they want to do so).

Nevertheless, it’s same that raw honesty that makes Is This Thing On? so special. Backed by incredible work by Arnett and Dern, Cooper gives us a dramedy that resonates with truth. And it’s definitely a live set that’s worth taking in.

Is This Thing On? is available in theatres on Friday, December 19^th, 2025.