Bradley Cooper’s third directorial effort, “Is This Thing On?,” has debuted to a solid—if not spectacular—critical reception, opening with a 70 Metascore following its premiere at the New York Film Festival. The reactions range in the “good, but not great” territory, signaling another thoughtful, if quieter, outing for the actor-turned-director.
The early reviews reveal a range of reactions:
The Guardian (4/5), THR (positive), IndieWire (C+), Variety (mixed), The Daily Beast (positive), MovieWeb (8/10), Looper (6/10), Mashable (negative), Next Best Picture (6/10)
The film stars Will Arnett and Laura Dern as a married couple navigating the complexities of separation. Their break-up leads to an unexpected creative outlet: impromptu stand-up comedy sessions that serve as emotional exorcisms rather than punchline delivery systems.
But, as several critics have pointed out, the stand-up isn’t the point. Cooper uses the comedic setting not for laughs, but as a means of exploring marriage dynamics.
At its core, “Is This Thing On?” is being recognized for its gentleness, its performances, and a delicate tonal balance that avoids the melodrama often found in modern divorce narratives. Both Arnett and Dern are being singled out for their nuanced portrayals—Arnett in particular earning praise for revealing new dramatic depths beyond his comedic persona.
So, as expected, “Is This Thing On?” Is npt as ambitious as Cooper’s “A Star Is Born” or “Maestro,” it’s more like a pit stop for him, taking a break for Oscar bait and telling a much more modest story in the process.
Is This Thing On? opens in theaters December 19.