Bradley Cooper’s latest dramedy, Is This Thing On?, will close the 2025 New York Film Festival, marking the festival’s first world premiere gala film since Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth in 2021. The festival will run from September 26 to October 13, with Cooper’s film joining Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt as the opening night selection and Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother as the centerpiece feature. Notably, Is This Thing On? completed filming only recently, in April 2025, making it a rare “wet print” premiere.
Cooper’s Directorial Career and Role in the Film
This dramedy represents Cooper’s third feature film as a director, following his acclaimed works A Star is Born (2016) and Maestro (2023), both of which earned multiple Oscar nominations and Best Picture nods. Cooper also has an impressive 12 individual Oscar nominations across his career, including producing credits on Todd Phillips’ Joker and Guillermo del Toro’s Nightmare Alley. In Is This Thing On?, Cooper takes on a supporting role, continuing to expand his range after a recent cameo in James Gunn’s Superman as Jor-El, Superman’s father.
Reflecting on the festival selection, Cooper said,
We are honored and humbled to premiere our film at the New York Film Festival. Earlier this year, we had the wonderful opportunity to shoot this story all throughout the city, so it’s very exciting to debut it on the closing evening of the festival. NYC injects an energy into every aspect of filmmaking that just can’t be replicated. I have attended many premieres at NYFF over the years, and to have the support and belief in our film from Dennis Lim and his team is an enormous thing for us. Thank you! On behalf of Will, Laura, and the entire cast and crew—we can’t wait!
—Bradley Cooper, Director and Actor
New York Film Festival Artistic Director Praises the Film’s Layers and Authenticity
Dennis Lim, Artistic Director of the New York Film Festival, expressed enthusiasm for Cooper’s film as the closing night feature. He described Is This Thing On? as a multifaceted work that pays homage to New York City’s comedy scene while exploring midlife challenges and relationships with warmth and wit. Lim noted,
We are thrilled to close the festival with Bradley Cooper’s delightful third feature. ‘Is This Thing On?’ is a film of many dimensions and surprises: a fond tribute to New York City’s comedy scene, a sensitive study of midlife discontent, and a modern-day comedy of remarriage, pitch-perfect in its balance of humor and feeling.
—Dennis Lim, Artistic Director, NYFF
Plot Overview: Marriage, Midlife Reinvention, and New York’s Stand-Up Scene
Is This Thing On? centers on Alex and Tess Novak, played by Will Arnett and Laura Dern, a couple whose marriage hits a crossroads. Their mutual decision to separate unfolds with a tone of gentle sorrow as they navigate parenthood while facing personal transformations. Alex’s significant shift involves becoming a confessional stand-up comic in New York City’s West Village, where he discovers a new sense of purpose and community. The screenplay, penned by Cooper alongside Arnett and Mark Chappell, draws inspiration from the true story of British comedian John Bishop.
The film is noted for its honest performances and subtle humor, avoiding easy laughs in favor of authentic character moments that capture emotional complexity. The production benefits from Cooper’s direction, which emphasizes naturalism and intimate character development, reinforcing his reputation from previous films.
The supporting cast is extensive and impressive, featuring talents such as Andra Day, Christine Ebersole, Ciarán Hinds, Sean Hayes, Peyton Manning, and Amy Sedaris. Additionally, New York’s recognized stand-up comedians Chloe Radcliffe, Reggie Conquest, and Jordan Jensen contribute to the film’s genuine downtown atmosphere.
Highlighting Will Arnett’s Versatile Career
Will Arnett’s portrayal of Alex explores a more dramatic side of his capabilities, which fans have only occasionally seen throughout his career. An Emmy nominee five times, with two additional nods as a producer of the animated series Bojack Horseman, Arnett also holds a SAG Award nomination for his comedy ensemble work on Arrested Development. His extensive resume encompasses both voice acting—in roles like Batman for The Lego Movie franchise—and live-action comedy hits such as 30 Rock and Blades of Glory. Beyond acting, Arnett co-created and hosts the popular podcast SmartLess.
“Bojack Horseman”
—Will Arnett, Actor and Producer
Laura Dern’s Award-Winning Achievements and Upcoming Projects
Laura Dern, portraying Tess Novak, brings decades of experience that spans iconic films and television series. She is known for roles in David Lynch’s Blue Velvet and Wild at Heart, as well as Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park. Dern won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story and received additional Oscar nominations for Rambling Rose and Jean-Marc Vallée’s Wild. She reunited with Vallée for HBO’s Emmy-winning series Big Little Lies and will appear in Baumbach’s upcoming film Jay Kelly alongside George Clooney, set to premiere at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. Additionally, Dern stars in the Apple TV+ series Palm Royale, which plans to return for a second season in 2026.
Searchlight Pictures’ Release and Awards Season Strategy
While Searchlight Pictures has yet to announce an official release date for Is This Thing On?, the film is expected to receive a limited release starting in December 2025, positioning it as a potential contender during awards season. This release will follow Searchlight’s excitement over the upcoming world premiere of Rental Family at the 2025 Toronto Film Festival, another anticipated crowd-pleaser produced by Hikari.
Searchlight has experience managing compressed production schedules leading to awards success, demonstrated by last year’s release of James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown, a Bob Dylan biopic that gathered eight Oscar nominations including Best Picture and earned $140.7 million globally.
Significance of the Film at the 2025 New York Festival
The selection of Is This Thing On? to close the 2025 New York Film Festival underscores a renewed focus on fresh world premieres with substantial artistic and commercial potential. After several years without such openings that host world premieres, the festival highlights both the city’s vibrant filmmaking energy and Bradley Cooper’s evolving career. With its complex storytelling, a celebrated cast, and authentic New York setting, the film is set to attract considerable attention from critics and audiences alike.
As audiences experience this film, it also serves as a signal of the festival’s dedication to championing contemporary voices blending humor and emotional depth in cinema. The film’s exploration of middle-age reinvention and the unique backdrop of NYC’s stand-up scene capture timely themes resonant with many viewers, promising both critical and commercial engagement in the coming awards season.
