Is This Thing On?

Is This Thing On?
Is This Thing On?
Directed by	Bradley Cooper
Screenplay by	Bradley Cooper; Will Arnett; Mark Chappell;
Story by	Will Arnett; Mark Chappell; John Bishop;
Produced by	Bradley Cooper; Weston Middleton; Will Arnett; Kris Thykier;
Starring	Will Arnett; Laura Dern; Andra Day; Bradley Cooper;
Cinematography	Matthew Libatique
Edited by	Charlie Greene
Music by	James Newberry
Production; companies	Lea Pictures; Electric Avenue
Distributed by	Searchlight Pictures
Release dates	October 10, 2025 (NYFF); December 19, 2025 (United States);
Running time	124 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Is This Thing On? is an upcoming American comedy-drama film directed by Bradley Cooper from a screenplay he co-wrote with Will Arnett and Mark Chappell. The film stars Arnett, Laura Dern, Cooper, Andra Day, Amy Sedaris, Sean Hayes, Christine Ebersole, and Ciarán Hinds.

The film is inspired by the life of British comedian John Bishop.^[1] It will have its world premiere as the closing film of the New York Film Festival on October 10, 2025, and it is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 19, 2025.

Premise

After many years together, Alex and Tess have reached an amicable end to their marriage, thus beginning the awkward stage of figuring out how to live separately while raising two boys and maintaining their friendships. Alex discovers a new hobby and, in the process, learns more about himself and his relationship.

Cast

Will Arnett as Alex Novak
Laura Dern as Tess Novak
Andra Day
Bradley Cooper as Arnie, Alex's best friend
Amy Sedaris
Sean Hayes
Christine Ebersole
Ciarán Hinds
Scott Icenogle
Chloe Radcliffe
Jordan Jensen
Peyton Manning
Reggie Conquest
James Tom
Gabe Fazio
Blake Kane
Calvin Knegten
Derek Gaines
Matt Richards

Production

It was announced in June 2023 that Bradley Cooper would be directing a film, which he would star in alongside Will Arnett. Arnett would co-write the screenplay alongside Mark Chappell.^[2] Emily Blunt was reported as being part of the cast later that month.^[3] In December 2024, Sean Hayes joined the cast.^[4] In February 2025, Cooper announced Laura Dern and Andra Day as part of the cast, in addition to announcing he would also serve as the B camera operator for the film.^[5]^[6] Filming wrapped in April, with additional casting announced including Amy Sedaris. Peyton Manning, Christine Ebersole, and Ciarán Hinds.^[7]

Principal photography was scheduled to begin in September 2024 in Los Angeles.^[8]^[9] Filming reportedly began by January 2025 in New York City.^[10] Production wrapped on April 16, 2025, with Searchlight eyeing a fall release.^[7]

Release

Is This Thing On? is set to premiere as the closing film of the New York Film Festival on October 10, 2025,^[11] and it is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 19, 2025.^[12]

References

^ Perry, Kevin E G (April 30, 2025). "Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett's new movie inspired by life of unlikely British comedian". The Independent. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
^ Kroll, Justin (June 14, 2023). "Bradley Cooper And Will Arnett Team on Searchlight Pic Is This Thing On? With Both Starring And Cooper Setting As Next Directorial Effort". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
^ Rajput, Priyanca (June 27, 2023). "Bradley Cooper's Is This Thing On? sets filming date". Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
^ Kroll, Justin (December 20, 2024). "Sean Hayes Sets Back To Back Films For 2025 That Include 'Running Man' And 'Is This Thing On' From Bradley Cooper". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
^ Bergeson, Samantha (February 11, 2025). "Bradley Cooper Will Make Camera Operator Debut with 'Is This Thing On?' Starring Laura Dern, and Shares Plot Details". IndieWire. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
^ Jackson, Angelique (February 14, 2025). "Andra Day Joins Bradley Cooper's 'Is This Thing On?' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
^ ^a ^b Stephan, Katcy (April 16, 2025). "Bradley Cooper's 'Is This Thing On?' Adds Amy Sedaris, Peyton Manning and More as Searchlight Film Wraps Production (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
^ Gajewski, Ryan (March 11, 2024). "After the Oscars: What the Nominees Are Doing Next". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
^ Prasad, Sumith (July 31, 2024). "Bradley Cooper's Is This Thing On? Starts Shooting in Los Angeles in September". The CinemaHolic. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
^ Shreya (January 14, 2025). "What We Know About Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett's "Is This Thing On?"". FandomWire. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
^ Rubin, Rebecca (July 30, 2025). "Bradley Cooper's 'Is This Thing On?' Debuts First Look, Sets New York Film Festival World Premiere". Variety. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
^ Ford, Rebecca (August 21, 2025). "Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett Storm the Stand-Up Stage in Is This Thing On?". Vanity Fair. Retrieved August 21, 2025.

External links

Is This Thing On? at IMDb

[1] Perry, Kevin E G (April 30, 2025). "Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett's new movie inspired by life of unlikely British comedian". The Independent. Retrieved June 25, 2025.

[2] Kroll, Justin (June 14, 2023). "Bradley Cooper And Will Arnett Team on Searchlight Pic Is This Thing On? With Both Starring And Cooper Setting As Next Directorial Effort". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 15, 2023.

[3] Rajput, Priyanca (June 27, 2023). "Bradley Cooper's Is This Thing On? sets filming date". Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook. Retrieved June 30, 2023.

[4] Kroll, Justin (December 20, 2024). "Sean Hayes Sets Back To Back Films For 2025 That Include 'Running Man' And 'Is This Thing On' From Bradley Cooper". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 20, 2024.

[5] Bergeson, Samantha (February 11, 2025). "Bradley Cooper Will Make Camera Operator Debut with 'Is This Thing On?' Starring Laura Dern, and Shares Plot Details". IndieWire. Retrieved February 11, 2025.

[6] Jackson, Angelique (February 14, 2025). "Andra Day Joins Bradley Cooper's 'Is This Thing On?' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 14, 2025.

[Variety-7] Stephan, Katcy (April 16, 2025). "Bradley Cooper's 'Is This Thing On?' Adds Amy Sedaris, Peyton Manning and More as Searchlight Film Wraps Production (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

[8] Gajewski, Ryan (March 11, 2024). "After the Oscars: What the Nominees Are Doing Next". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 16, 2024.

[9] Prasad, Sumith (July 31, 2024). "Bradley Cooper's Is This Thing On? Starts Shooting in Los Angeles in September". The CinemaHolic. Retrieved August 5, 2024.

[10] Shreya (January 14, 2025). "What We Know About Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett's "Is This Thing On?"". FandomWire. Retrieved February 7, 2025.

[11] Rubin, Rebecca (July 30, 2025). "Bradley Cooper's 'Is This Thing On?' Debuts First Look, Sets New York Film Festival World Premiere". Variety. Retrieved July 30, 2025.

[12] Ford, Rebecca (August 21, 2025). "Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett Storm the Stand-Up Stage in Is This Thing On?". Vanity Fair. Retrieved August 21, 2025.

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