Is This Thing On? review: Bradley Cooper turns John Bishop’s life story into sweet but indulgent comedy-drama

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Bradley Cooper’s new film, Is This Thing On?, tells the story of a lonely husband and marks a big departure from his previous, more elaborate movies like A Star Is Born and Maestro. While those films featured large-scale concert performances, this one is much smaller and more personal – it focuses on a single man on stage, sharing his feelings with the audience.

The movie, written by Cooper and featuring Will Arnett, is based on a story by British writer Mark Chappell, known for the 2022 film See How They Run. It’s loosely inspired by the life of comedian John Bishop, who turned to comedy during a difficult time. The filmmakers moved this idea to New York, centering on Alex (Arnett), a father of two who is quietly separated from his wife, Tess (Laura Dern). Tess was a promising volleyball player who put her career on hold to raise their children.

Although separated, the couple continues to see their friends – Christine and Balls, a married couple, and Stephen and Geoffrey, who recently got married. However, the split has been particularly hard on Alex. One evening, unable to face returning to his empty apartment, he wanders into a bar in the West Village. To avoid the $15 cover charge, he spontaneously signs up to perform stand-up comedy on the bar’s open mic night in the basement.

Okay, so at first, watching this guy onstage is rough. He’s totally frozen, like he’s about to bolt. But then he starts opening up about his divorce, and it’s surprisingly funny – in a really touching way. It feels like a huge weight is lifted off his shoulders, and honestly, you can see why he keeps coming back to do these shows. He’s surrounded by pros – actual comedians like Chloe Radcliffe – and they’re happy to give him pointers…and gently tease him, which is exactly what you’d expect from that crowd.

As Alex becomes more comfortable performing, he finds his balance, though the risk of relying too heavily on personal experiences remains. Arnett delivers his lines with a subtly sad and funny expression, toning down the over-the-top comedy he’s known for in shows like Arrested Development and The LEGO Batman Movie. This role is a surprisingly dramatic turn for the actor, with just a touch of humor mixed in, and it works really well.

Laura Dern delivers another authentic and nuanced performance in a film that shares similarities with the Oscar-winning Marriage Story. Bradley Cooper, however, feels miscast; his character is clumsy and disruptive from the start, and the role doesn’t quite suit him, even if it’s understandable why he might have been drawn to it.

Is This Thing On? has the feel of an early Woody Allen film – a bit meandering and self-indulgent, but ultimately charming and set in New York City. Featuring strong performances from actors like Ciarán Hinds as Alex’s father, it’s a good opportunity for Cooper to try a more understated style, even if it doesn’t fully succeed. In an era when thoughtful dramas are rare in cinemas, the film deserves credit for tackling divorce in a sensible and mature way.

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Is This Thing On? is released in UK cinemas on Friday 30th January 2026.

Authors

James Mottram

James Mottram is a London-based film critic, journalist, and author.

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2026-01-26 18:34