Bradley Cooper Returns with New Film ‘Is This Thing On?’ This December

Cooper’s Third Directorial Effort Arrives This Month

Bradley Cooper, 50, has long been known for his rugged charm and versatility as both an actor and filmmaker, and he’s set to captivate audiences once again with his latest project. SFFILM has named Bradley Cooper’s ‘Is This Thing On?’ as the recipient of the 2025 SF Honors Award, marking another milestone in the acclaimed director’s career.

What Is ‘Is This Thing On?’ About?

The film follows a couple whose marriage quietly unravels as Alex (Will Arnett) faces middle age and an impending divorce, seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene while Tess (Laura Dern) confronts the sacrifices she made for their family. Co-written and directed by Cooper, ‘Is This Thing On?’ captures the complexities of co-parenting, shifting identity, and the search for renewed purpose.

Stellar Cast and Release Details

The film stars Will Arnett, Laura Dern, Andra Day, Bradley Cooper, Amy Sedaris, Sean Hayes, Christine Ebersole, Ciarán Hinds and Scott Icenogle. The movie will be released on December 19, 2025, distributed by Searchlight Pictures. Emmy-nominated actor Will Arnett and Academy Award–winning actor Laura Dern will attend the SFFILM event in person on December 17, participating in both the award presentation and a post-screening conversation.

Cooper’s Growing Legacy Behind the Camera

Marking his third film following ‘A Star is Born’ and ‘Maestro,’ the new dramedy demonstrates Cooper’s continued evolution as a filmmaker. Cooper said the creative team is ‘honored and humbled’ to premiere the film at NYFF, since New York City serves as the film’s backdrop and ‘injects an energy into every aspect of filmmaking that just can’t be replicated’.

What This Means for Cinema

‘Is This Thing On?’ represents the kind of fresh, distinctive filmmaking that celebrates Bradley Cooper’s unique vision and style, and the stellar acting by the skilled cast. As awards season approaches, this intimate character-driven story offers audiences an alternative to blockbuster spectacles, focusing instead on relatable human experiences of reinvention and relationships at midlife. The film’s recognition with the SF Honors Award suggests strong critical reception ahead of its theatrical release.