Bradley Cooper’s ‘Is This Thing On?’ Wins 2025 SF Honors and Redefines Relationship Dramedy

Bradley Cooper’s creative reach continues to expand in 2025, as his newest film, Is This Thing On?, not only brings together a powerhouse cast but also secures the coveted SF Honors Award, cementing Cooper’s reputation as a filmmaker who understands the human heart—and its contradictions.

At the center of the film is Alex Novak, portrayed by Will Arnett, a man whose life is upended by separation. Alongside him is Laura Dern’s Tess, his estranged wife, who quietly wrestles with sacrifices and frustrations that have built up over years. The story unfolds in New York, with the couple attending a low-key gathering among friends, their frosty rapport reflecting the tension of a planned—but postponed—announcement about their breakup. Tess’s speech about living passionately is laced with subtext, hinting at her own marital discontent.

The film’s energy shifts when Cooper’s character, Balls—a chaotic actor friend—bursts onto the scene, bringing comic relief and underscoring the film’s deft balance between drama and humor. Alex, reeling from the breakup, stumbles into the world of stand-up comedy, a move inspired by the real-life story of John Bishop, a salesman who found solace in comedy after his marriage dissolved. Arnett, typically known for comedic roles in Arrested Development and BoJack Horseman, surprises audiences with his nuanced portrayal of Alex’s vulnerability, especially as he performs at New York’s famed Comedy Cellar.

Cooper, who both acts and directs, guides Dern into one of her most unguarded roles yet. Tess is not just another strong-willed character; she’s a woman confronting the limits of fulfillment in marriage and motherhood. The chemistry between Arnett and Dern is palpable, especially in the film’s pivotal scene: Tess attends the comedy club, unaware that Alex is about to take the stage. She’s on her first post-separation date with Laird, played in a brief but memorable turn by Peyton Manning. The night grows more complicated when Alex launches into a routine that blurs the line between public performance and private pain, referencing recent hookups and his former married life.

Through these moments, Cooper demonstrates his growing mastery as a director of women’s stories, building on his earlier successes with A Star Is Born and Maestro. The film doesn’t shy away from the messy reality of relationships: there are no explosive fights, no melodramatic reconciliations, just the slow, sometimes awkward process of two people navigating co-parenting, shifting boundaries, and the search for self outside of partnership.

Supporting cast members—including Andra Day as Balls’s wife, Christine, and real-life comedians like Jordan Jensen, Chloe Radcliffe, and Reggie Conquest—add authenticity and texture to the story’s backdrop. Their presence grounds the film’s comedic moments in the gritty, unpredictable world of New York’s comedy scene.

What sets Is This Thing On? apart is its refusal to offer easy answers. In the third act, Alex and Tess attempt to rekindle intimacy, only to discover that their issues run deeper than physical connection. Their conversation, filled with misunderstandings and quietly devastating realizations, points to Tess’s sense of unfulfillment as a root cause—though Cooper wisely lets this conclusion emerge organically, without heavy-handed moralizing.

The film’s closing scenes avoid clichés. Even when Alex delivers a serious monologue onstage, the moment is undercut by the reality of the comedy club: laughter, awkwardness, and the persistent hope that life can be rebuilt from broken pieces. The soundtrack’s final note—Freddie Mercury singing “Can’t we give ourselves one more chance?”—serves as both a question and a gentle nudge to the audience as they step back into their own lives.

On December 24, 2025, the film was celebrated at the SFFILM Honors in San Francisco, just days after the city’s annual Awards Night. Laura Dern and Will Arnett attended, joining a roster of honorees that included Kristen Stewart, Benicio del Toro, and others. As Todd Traina, SFFILM Board President, remarked, Cooper’s film “represents the kind of fresh, distinctive filmmaking that SF Honors celebrates.” Patch and The New York Sun both highlighted the film’s mix of humor and heartbreak, noting its place among previous SF Honors winners like La La Land and CODA.

For San Francisco and the broader film community, the back-to-back awards events were more than a celebration; they underscored the city’s enduring role as a hub for artist-driven storytelling. Cooper’s film, with its intimate look at the aftermath of divorce and the messy search for identity, fits comfortably alongside the best of contemporary cinema.

Bradley Cooper’s ‘Is This Thing On?’ stands out not only for its accomplished performances but for the director’s sensitive, middlebrow approach to the complexities of adult relationships. By blending humor with genuine emotional insight, Cooper continues to evolve as one of Hollywood’s most observant chroniclers of modern love.