Bradley Cooper’s New Divorce Comedy Is This Thing On? Rolls Out Its Full Trailer and Fresh Details
Searchlight Pictures has released the official full trailer for Is This Thing On?, the latest film directed by Bradley Cooper, marking his third feature after A Star Is Born and Maestro. Premiering as the Closing Night selection at the 2025 New York Film Festival, the film is gearing up for a December 19, 2025 theatrical release in the United States.
The movie follows Alex Novak, played by Will Arnett, whose marriage to Tess—portrayed by Laura Dern—is quietly falling apart. Instead of leaning into dramatic extremes, the story takes a grounded, observational approach to a couple navigating the emotional terrain of middle age, divorce, and co-parenting. As Alex seeks a new sense of purpose, he takes an unexpected leap into the stand-up comedy world in New York City’s West Village, where he begins sharing raw, personal stories on stage.
Meanwhile, Tess confronts the sacrifices she made throughout their marriage and reevaluates her own identity outside the family structure.
The film is inspired by the true story of British comedian John Bishop, whose own life experiences helped shape the script. Cooper co-wrote the screenplay with Will Arnett and Mark Chappell, sticking closely to themes of authenticity, transformation, and the emotional complexities that come with relationships evolving into something unfamiliar but still meaningful. Cooper is known for his naturalistic directing style, and early viewers have noted that he gives actors ample space to explore their characters’ emotional depth without forcing easy laughs or melodrama.
Alongside Arnett and Dern, the cast includes Andra Day, Amy Sedaris, Sean Hayes, Christine Ebersole, Ciarán Hinds, Scott Icenogle, and even Cooper himself in a supporting role. Festival reactions have been mixed-to-positive, with several critics pointing out the film’s blend of dry humor, tenderness, and honest reflections on second chances. One recurring sentiment from reviewers is that the film serves as a warm reminder that “it’s never too late to grab the microphone and start telling our own story.”
Is This Thing On? is produced by Weston Middleton, Kris Thykier, Bradley Cooper, and Will Arnett under Searchlight Pictures—whose upcoming film slate can be explored on their official site: Searchlight Pictures.
The trailer showcases Alex’s first attempts at stand-up, filled with awkward pauses, internal tension, and glimpses of the vulnerability that ultimately fuels his transformation. It also highlights Tess’s perspective, giving equal weight to her emotional journey and her effort to reshape her life post-separation while managing co-parenting responsibilities for their two young sons.
The film’s debut at NYFF 2025 positioned it as one of the season’s notable adult-oriented dramas with comedic elements. The three new posters released alongside the trailer emphasize the film’s tone—dry, personal, and focused on human connection. You can watch the official trailer on YouTube through Searchlight’s channel:
Watch the Is This Thing On? Trailer.
With its December release date placing it squarely in the year’s awards-season corridor, Is This Thing On? is expected to draw attention from fans of character-driven comedy-dramas, followers of Cooper’s directorial work, and viewers interested in stories about reinvention at a turning point in life.
If you’re curious about the real-life figure who inspired the movie, you can explore more about comedian John Bishop here:
John Bishop on Wikipedia.
Overall, the film promises a blend of humor, emotional honesty, and thoughtful storytelling—delivered with the lived-in realism Cooper has become known for.
