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Is This Thing On?

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General Review

Parent's Guide to Is This Thing On?

Is This Thing On? (2025) is a comedy-drama directed by Bradley Cooper, starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern. The film centers on Alex and Tess, a couple navigating the complexities of divorce and self-discovery. Alex finds an outlet in stand-up comedy, using his personal life and marital struggles as material, while Tess re-evaluates her sacrifices and future. The narrative delves into themes of midlife crisis, identity, co-parenting, and the potential for rekindling a relationship. Aimed at mature adult audiences, the movie features a significant amount of R-rated content, including pervasive strong language, explicit sexual references, and substance use, making it unsuitable for younger viewers.

Things to Consider

High3

Romance and Sexual Content

The movie includes frequent and explicit romantic and sexual content, featuring passionate kissing, implied sexual encounters, graphic discussions of sex, and themes of infidelity and casual sexual relationships.

Alex and Tess are shown kissing passionately and winding up in bed together, with Alex shirtless and Tess in a nightie, implying sexual activity. Furthermore, Alex has sex with another woman, a scene implied by his shirtless appearance exiting her apartment, and he later jokes about this encounter during a stand-up routine. Tess also expresses her desire for casual sex 'in graphic, obscene terms' to her best friend after her separation.

Profanity

The film features pervasive profanity, including frequent use of strong expletives, sexual expletives, and misuse of religious names, making it a significant concern for parents.

Substance Use

The film prominently features various forms of substance use, including marijuana consumption, frequent alcohol drinking, and smoking, often depicted in a casual or recreational context.

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Medium5
LGBTQ & Gender IdentityViolenceScary & Intense ContentDisrespect & RebellionAnti-Christian Themes
Low1
Witchcraft & Occult
Medium5

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

The film features explicit representation of LGBTQ characters within the main characters' social circle, indicating a normalisation of same-sex relationships as part of the narrative's contemporary setting.

Violence

The film contains thematic violence in the form of emotional distress and implied suicidal ideation, rather than physical altercations or gore. The intense emotional journey of the protagonist can be disturbing.

Scary & Intense Content

The film contains intense emotional and psychological content, primarily revolving around the painful realities of divorce, midlife crisis, and implied mental health struggles, which could be disturbing for some viewers.

Disrespect & Rebellion

The movie portrays instances of disrespect within family relationships, particularly through the protagonist's actions of revealing intimate family details publicly and marital discord characterized by accusatory and sarcastic dialogue.

Anti-Christian Themes

The film includes instances of blasphemy through the misuse of sacred names, which can be perceived as disrespectful to Christian beliefs.

Low1

Witchcraft & Occult

No explicit or significant themes of witchcraft or the occult are present in the film. Any mentions are minimal and lack magical or supernatural context.

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From a Christian worldview, 'Is This Thing On?' presents a complex and often challenging portrayal of human relationships and self-discovery. The film's central theme of divorce and the subsequent journey of Alex and Tess to find purpose and potentially reconcile, could align with biblical principles of redemption and the sanctity of marriage, particularly if their 'comedy of remarriage' theme ultimately leads to a healthier, God-honoring union. However, the methods characters employ to cope—including casual sexual encounters, frequent substance abuse (marijuana and alcohol), and pervasive profanity—directly contradict biblical teachings on purity, temperance, and reverence for God. The misuse of God's and Jesus' names is particularly concerning, reflecting a lack of respect for the divine. While the film explores the universal human experience of pain and the search for meaning, it often suggests a relativistic morality where personal desires and self-expression take precedence over established moral boundaries. The portrayal of family dynamics, with Alex using his family's private life for public comedy, raises questions about honoring one's family and the sacredness of relationships. Ultimately, while the film may offer glimmers of hope in reconciliation, its overall content, particularly the high frequency of profanity, sexual content, and substance use, makes it largely misaligned with biblical values for entertainment consumption without significant discernment and discussion.

Additional Context

Best For Ages

Adults Only (18+): The film is rated R by the MPAA for language throughout, sexual references, and some drug use. Reviews highlight pervasive profanity, graphic sexual dialogue, depiction of casual sex, and marijuana use, which are inappropriate for viewers under 18 years old.

Good to Know

The film's focus on mature adult themes such as divorce, midlife crisis, and self-discovery is handled with a blend of humor and drama. Parents should be aware that while there are themes of reconciliation and healing, the path to these often involves problematic behaviors and language. The narrative structure, which uses stand-up comedy as a form of therapy, exposes very personal and often raw details of the characters' lives.

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