IS THIS THING ON? Archives

In Is This Thing On? As their marriage quietly unravels, 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 – forcing them to navigate co-parenting, identity, and whether love can take a new form.

Bonus Feature*

Mic Drop: Making Is This Thing On? – Go behind the scenes as filmmakers and cast open up about the inspirations behind this story of love, loss, and starting again. Get a glimpse into working with a remarkable ensemble and hear about how the team developed their comedy sets.

My Take on the Movie

Is This Thing On? is a quietly affecting portrait of a long marriage shifting into unfamiliar territory. Alex (Will Arnett), staring down divorce and the blur of midlife, stumbles into New York’s open mic circuit and discovers that the stage offers something he hasn’t felt in years: clarity. Meanwhile, Tess (Laura Dern) reckons with the compromises she’s made and what independence might now mean.

Rather than framing separation as failure, the film treats it as evolution. The stand-up sequences feel intimate and unvarnished, capturing how humor can expose truths we struggle to say at home. Arnett brings surprising vulnerability, and Dern grounds the story with restraint and intelligence.

Directed with a steady, compassionate hand, the film balances dry wit with emotional honesty. It’s less about punchlines and more about rediscovering identity after shared dreams shift. By the end, you’re left reflecting not just on love lost, but on love reshaped.