Is This Thing On?

Is This Thing On? follows a marriage that quietly slips out of sync as Alex hits midlife and faces the prospect of a divorce. He looks for a new purpose in New York's buzzing stand up scene, chasing laughs and a sense of relevance he once thought was behind him. Tess, meanwhile, replays the costs of a life built around others and the ambitions she set aside for family. The couple must figure out how to co-parent, redefine their identities, and decide whether love itself can take a different shape without erasing the years they shared. The film keeps the tone sharp and intimate as they test limits and choices.

Directed by Bradley Cooper, the film pairs a sharp ensemble led by Will Arnett and Laura Dern with Andra Day and Christine Ebersole. The screenplay comes from Mark Chappell, Will Arnett, and John Bishop, with production blending humor and emotion.

Early discussions emphasize a grounded depiction of late marriage and personal reinvention. The story probes how compromise and self assertion coexist, while comedy scenes illuminate New York as both battleground and sounding board for couples redefining what commitment means. Its tone stays intimate even when the jokes land hard.