Bradley Cooper’s "Is This Thing On?" to Close the 2025 New York Film Festival
The highly anticipated 2025 New York Film Festival has announced that Bradley Cooper’s latest film, Is This Thing On?, will serve as the festival’s closing night feature. This captivating film, which Cooper directed and co-wrote, stars renowned actors Will Arnett and Laura Dern. The world premiere is scheduled for Friday, October 10, at Lincoln Center’s prestigious Alice Tully Hall, located on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
A Journey of Self-Discovery in New York City
Is This Thing On? delves into the lives of Arnett and Dern’s characters, a married couple navigating the complexities of divorce while embarking on profound self-reflection in midlife. Arnett’s character undergoes a significant career transformation, choosing to pursue his passion for stand-up comedy in New York City’s vibrant West Village. Through this journey, he discovers a renewed sense of purpose and community. The film draws inspiration from the true story of British comedian John Bishop and features a screenplay co-written by Arnett, Mark Chappell, and Cooper.
The film boasts an impressive cast that includes Andra Day, Christine Ebersole, Ciarán Hinds, Sean Hayes, Peyton Manning, and Amy Sedaris. Bradley Cooper, known for his acclaimed directorial work on A Star Is Born and Maestro—the latter of which premiered at the 2023 New York Film Festival—brings his unique vision to this heartfelt story.
Celebrating New York City’s Artistic Spirit
Expressing his excitement, Cooper stated, "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 throughout the city, making it incredibly thrilling to debut on the festival’s closing night. New York City infuses an energy into every aspect of filmmaking that is simply unmatched. Having the support of [NYFF artistic director] Dennis Lim and his team is tremendously meaningful for us. Thank you from all of us—Will, Laura, and the entire cast and crew—we can’t wait!"
Dennis Lim echoed Cooper’s enthusiasm, saying, "We are thrilled to close the festival with Bradley Cooper’s delightful third feature. Is This Thing On? is a film rich with dimensions and surprises: a heartfelt tribute to New York City’s comedy scene, a sensitive exploration of midlife discontent, and a modern comedy of remarriage that skillfully balances humor and emotion."
Festival Highlights
In addition to Cooper’s film, the festival has already revealed that After the Hunt, starring Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, and Andrew Garfield, will kick off the festival as the opening night film. Jim Jarmusch’s Father Mother Sister Brother will serve as the centerpiece feature.
The 63rd New York Film Festival, presented by Film at Lincoln Center, is set to run from September 26 to October 13, 2025. Don’t miss the chance to experience the rich storytelling and artistic talent showcased at this iconic festival!
