Critics Have Seen Is This Thing On?, And They Can’t Stop Commenting On Will Arnett’s ‘Heartbreaking And Lovely’ Performance

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Will Arnett is a familiar face in comedy, famous for roles like Gob in Arrested Development and the voice of Lego Batman. His new film, Is This Thing On?, features him as a stand-up comedian, but with a slightly more serious tone than his usual work. The movie, which also stars Laura Dern, follows Arnett’s character as he uses humor to cope with a divorce, and early reviews praise both him and Dern as being excellent.

The movie Is This Thing On? draws inspiration from the life of British comedian John Bishop. According to Ethan Anderton of SlashFilm, Will Arnett delivers a standout performance thanks to direction from Bradley Cooper, offering a fresh perspective on the actor’s talent. Anderton gives the film a 9 out of 10 rating, stating:

The real strength of ‘Is This Thing On?’ lies in the fantastic chemistry between Will Arnett and Laura Dern. Their performances feel incredibly natural, like a long-married couple exchanging playful but pointed comments – it’s often both funny and touching to watch their dynamic unfold.

In a review for the Associated Press, Jocelyn Noveck gave the movie 3.5 out of 4 stars, highlighting how realistically and naturally the film portrays a struggling relationship, without relying on unnecessary drama or contrived plot points. She also commended the performances of the lead actors and Bradley Cooper.

Sometimes, it’s the smallest, most ordinary items – like a couple of children’s toothbrushes or a warm pair of socks – that cause the most heartache after a relationship ends. Bradley Cooper seems to understand this, and his film Is This Thing On? focuses on these subtle details. It’s a moving story about a marriage falling apart, and its emotional impact builds gradually.

In his latest film, Bradley Cooper delivers a surprisingly insightful story. According to Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence, the movie is emotionally resonant, boosted by a screenplay contribution from Will Arnett, and showcases career-best performances from both Arnett and Laura Dern. Miller awarded the film a B+.

While Will Arnett isn’t known for standup, his performance here is arguably his best acting work yet. He often plays divorced characters, but he brings a genuine honesty to this role, making Alex’s struggles feel real and relatable. What’s refreshing is that the story avoids portraying anyone as a villain, and Laura Dern, as Tess, delivers a powerful performance despite having less screen time, carrying significant emotional weight in the narrative.

David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter notes that the film subtly charms with its wit and emotional depth, thanks to outstanding performances by Will Arnett and Laura Dern, which he describes as ‘gorgeous’. He adds:

This is a fantastic performance, feeling spontaneous and natural, like an improvisation. The emotional journey is surprisingly unpredictable, and Cooper delivers a masterful performance, bringing a genuine sweetness and warmth to the material without being overly sentimental or forced.

Variety’s Owen Gleiberman finds Bradley Cooper’s new film decent, but not outstanding. He notes that Will Arnett portrays his character, Alex, as if he’s from a typical sitcom family. Gleiberman also suggests that despite the film’s intimate, observational style, the couple at its center might not feel as connected to audiences as intended.

In a time when many films are far more problematic, a lighthearted comedy about divorce seems like a safe bet. However, “Is This Thing On?” feels somewhat superficial in how it handles a painful subject. The couple, Alex and Tess, have a comfortable divorce, with their problems stemming from miscommunication rather than serious conflict. Alex, supposedly juggling comedy with other work, mostly just performs stand-up. Interestingly, the film subtly suggests that even marriage is a performance – once the issues are out in the open, life goes on as if it’s a show that must continue.

Critics generally approve of the new film, giving it a ‘Certified Fresh’ rating of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. Bradley Cooper and the actors have been especially praised for their thoughtful and sensitive performances. You can see it in theaters starting December 19th; the film is called Is This Thing On?

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2025-12-19 21:13