Is This Thing On?
Here's what we found in Is This Thing On?. Every family is different — get a report that reflects yours.
Screen for YOUR familyParent'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
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.
Would these 3 concerns matter to your family?
Get a report based on your values — not generic ratings.
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.
What are you watching next?
Screen any title in seconds — even ones no one else has reviewed.
No credit card required — join hundreds of families