Is This Thing On? (2025) is an American comedy-drama about midlife reinvention and co-parenting after divorce. The film is directed by Bradley Cooper, who co-wrote the screenplay with Will Arnett and Mark Chappell.
It stars Will Arnett (Alex), Laura Dern (Tess), with Bradley Cooper, Andra Day, Amy Sedaris, Sean Hayes, Christine Ebersole, and Ciarán Hinds in supporting roles. The story follows Alex, who discovers stand-up comedy after an amicable separation, using confession-style stage work as a way to process his marriage and identity.
The film is loosely inspired by British comedian John Bishop, who serves as an executive producer. The movie premiered at the New York Film Festival and is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on December 19, 2025, via Searchlight Pictures.
Is This Thing On? Age Rating
Is This Thing On? is rated R for language throughout, sexual references, and some drug use. This means that viewers under 17 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Expect a lot of strong language and themes meant for adults.
Violence and Danger (Peril)
The level of violence and danger in the film is Low and is non-graphic. The movie’s main focus is on emotional conflicts and big life changes, not physical threats. While there may be some tense arguments between family members or partners, the film does not contain any sustained or graphic physical violence.
Language
The language level is Strong, as the official R rating specifically calls out “language throughout.” This means viewers should expect to hear frequent and repeated coarse language (profanity). This strong language will appear in both the characters’ arguments and during the stand-up comedy routines, which often use raw, adult phrasing.
Mature Themes
The film deals with several adult topics, including divorce and separation, the challenges of co-parenting, having a midlife identity crisis, sexual references, and some scenes involving drug use. The movie explores the emotional consequences of breaking up and the honest, sometimes messy, nature of confessional comedy. All of these themes are treated with a frankness that assumes the audience is mature.
Is This Thing On? Suitable for Teens?
Ages 10–12: Not appropriate. The film’s mature language, sexual references, and adult relationship themes make it unsuitable for preteens.
Ages 13–15: Not recommended. Middle-school teens may be exposed to coarse language and adult situations they’re not ready to process. Scenes of marital breakdown and candid stand-up material could be confusing or upsetting.
Ages 16–17: Maybe for older teens who can handle frank adult themes and strong language. If a 16–17-year-old is interested, parents should consider pre-screening or watching together to judge emotional tone and to use the film as a discussion prompt about relationships, responsibility, and healthy coping.
Final recommendation: The official R rating is appropriate. This film is best for adults and older teens (16–17+) who have guidance and context.
What Parents Can Do
Pre-screen key scenes. Watch the trailer and at least one episode or the first act yourself to check tone and language. The stand-up material is a major vehicle for frank confessions and jokes.
Set conversation goals. Use the film to discuss healthy coping after separation, boundaries in comedy (what’s fair to joke about), and how language impacts others. Keep questions open-ended.
Watch together and debrief. If an older teen watches, follow up: ask what they found funny, upsetting, or surprising. Talk about substance use references and what “midlife reinvention” can really look like outside of comedy.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the official MPAA rating for Is This Thing On??
A: The film is rated R for language throughout, some drug use, and sexual references.
Q: Is Is This Thing On? appropriate for teens?
A: Not for younger teens. For 16–17-year-olds, it’s a conditional yes, with parental guidance and discussion recommended.
Q: Are there drug references?
A: Yes — the MPAA reason notes some drug use. Expect non-central depictions or references rather than glamorized drug scenes.
Q: Who inspired the film?
A: The story is loosely inspired by the real-life experience of British comedian John Bishop, who is an executive producer on the film.
Q: When and where will the film be released?
A: The film had its NYFF premiere in October 2025 and is scheduled for a limited U.S. theatrical release on December 19, 2025, via Searchlight Pictures.