{"id":683991,"date":"2026-05-20T23:28:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T23:28:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/683991\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T23:28:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T23:28:12","slug":"bradley-coopers-memorable-drama-based-on-john-bishops-life-lands-new-uk-streaming-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/683991\/","title":{"rendered":"Bradley Cooper’s “memorable” drama based on John Bishop’s life lands new UK streaming home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bradley Cooper’s latest movie starring Will Arnett as a man who turns to stand-up comedy whilst going through a divorce has found a new streaming home. Inspired by the life of English comedian John Bishop, who has a story credit on the movie, Is This Thing On? also stars Laura Dern and Andra Day.<\/p>\n

Directed by Cooper, who co-wrote the script with Arnett and Mark Chappell and features as the protagonist’s best friend, Is This Thing On?<\/a> follows Alex Novak, a newly separated man with no prior stand-up experience. Similarly to Bishop, Alex signs up for an open mic night at a comedy club to avoid paying the cover charge and ends up performing about his ongoing divorce.<\/p>\n

As Alex’s impromptu set is well-received, he discovers a passion for comedy and performing, likening it to a form of therapy. Meanwhile, his ex Tess (Dern) faces some challenges of her own as she considers returning to volleyball as a coach for the US team.<\/p>\n

While the film changes names and setting, moving the action from Manchester to New York City, Bishop confirmed Cooper’s movie was loosely based on his own experiences after sharing the trailer on Instagram<\/a> last August. <\/p>\n

“This has been a long time coming, but I am so pleased that you will soon get to see the movie inspired by my journey into comedy and my relationship with @melbish1,” he captioned the post, calling Is This Things On? “a funny and authentic story of love”.<\/p>\n

Who stars in Is This Thing On?\"will<\/p>\n

Searchlight Pictures<\/p>\n

Will Arnett as Alex NovakLaura Dern as Tess NovakAndra Day as ChristineBradley Cooper as BallsAmy Sedaris as KempSean Hayes as StephenChristine Ebersole as Marilyn, Alex’s motherCiar\u00e1n Hinds as Jan, Alex’s fatherScott Icenogle as GeoffreyChloe Radcliffe as NinaJordan Jensen as JillPeyton Manning as LairdReggie Conquest as DanJames Tom as RoloGabe Fazio as Gabe the BouncerWhat did critics say about Is This Thing On?\"will<\/p>\n

Searchlight Pictures<\/p>\n

Cooper’s third film as a director \u2014 he previously directed A Star Is Born and Maestro \u2014 is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a rating of 87% out of 205 reviews.<\/p>\n

Critics have praised Is This Thing On? for chartering a well-known romantic territory whilst steering clear of saccharine. The Financial Times<\/a> called it “a rarity”, adding that Cooper’s comedy is “a smart and charming crowd-pleaser, with natural sweetness”.<\/p>\n

Collider<\/a> called it “memorable and heartfelt”, while Variety<\/a> branded it “an observant, bittersweet, and highly watchable movie”.
<\/p>\n

Slant Magazine<\/a> measured Is This Thing On? to other films in Bradley’s directorial filmography, arguing that it’s “a finely observed and good-natured piece of work that carries some of the creative angst of [his] other films but without the need to convince us of its main character’s genius”.<\/p>\n

Where can I watch Is This Thing On? \"bradley<\/p>\n

Searchlight Pictures<\/p>\n

Originally premiered at New York Film Festival in October 2025 and hitting cinemas in December, Is This Thing On? is now available to stream.<\/p>\n

Those based in the UK can watch it on Disney+, while in the US the film is available on Hulu.<\/p>\n

Other Bradley Cooper movies you can stream right now\"Bradley<\/p>\n

Warner Bros.<\/p>\n

In case you’d like to check out Cooper’s other two movies as a director, you can stream 2018’s A Star Is Born, also starring Lady Gaga, on Sky and Sky Cinema in the UK. The third remake of the 1937 classic of the same name, Cooper’s directorial debut is also on HBO Max, available as an add-on channel on Prime Video in the UK.<\/p>\n

You can find the Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro, in which Cooper stars alongside Carey Mulligan, on Netflix UK.<\/p>\n

Is This Thing On? is streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.<\/p>\n

Visit our Streaming Guide<\/a> now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.<\/p>\n

The new edition of Living Legends, a collector’s edition exploring the royal family, is here! Buy The Royals in newsagents or online<\/a>.
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\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Reporter, Digital Spy<\/p>\n

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times<\/a> and Digital Spy<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).\u00a0<\/p>\n