No, divorce dramedy 'Is This Thing On?' is not 'The Will Arnett Story' Brian Truitt, USA TODAYJanuary 8, 2026 at 8:45 PM 0 Will Arnett is known for making you laugh. If he makes you cry, well, just know that's a long time coming. The comedic part of the Emmynominated actor's resume is no joke, starring in TV shows like "Arrested Development" and "30 Rock" and films such as "Hot Rod" and "Blades of Glory," plus voicing Lego Batman in Lego movies.
- - No, divorce dramedy 'Is This Thing On?' is not 'The Will Arnett Story'
Brian Truitt, USA TODAYJanuary 8, 2026 at 8:45 PM
0
Will Arnett is known for making you laugh. If he makes you cry, well, just know that's a long time coming.
The comedic part of the Emmy-nominated actor's resume is no joke, starring in TV shows like "Arrested Development" and "30 Rock" and films such as "Hot Rod" and "Blades of Glory," plus voicing Lego Batman in Lego movies. He has his most dramatic role to date – ironically, as a rookie standup comedian – in director Bradley Cooper's "Is This Thing On?" (in select theaters now, nationwide Jan. 9).
"Sometimes in life you play the hand your dealt a little bit," Arnett tells USA TODAY. Growing up in Toronto, "I never thought I was going to become a comedic actor, per se. I probably should have had more of a plan if I'm being honest." The Toronto-born performer moved to New York City when he was 20 to do "serious stuff," and after years of auditions and failed pilots, Arnett got "something really cool" in the early 2000s with "Arrested Development." "And then I found myself in this place where more of those opportunities happened."
Alex (Will Arnett) finds new perspective on his life when he starts doing standup comedy in "Is This Thing On?"
But, he says, "I always wanted to do stuff" like "Is This Thing On?" Arnett stars as Alex Novak, a middle-aged dad trying to navigate the end of his marriage to Tess (Laura Dern) and figuring out living separately from their two sons. It's a lot for the guy, and wanting to get a drink at a bar – but not having the cover charge handy – he inexplicably signs up for an open mic night at the adjacent comedy club.
Having no real material ready, Alex launches into a spontaneous public therapy session, getting personal about his separation and family life. It unlocks a new side gig as well as a creative side where Alex gains new perspective, though he has some explaining to do when Tess accidentally catches his set one night.
The movie was inspired by John Bishop, an English pharmaceutical rep turned comedian that Arnett met, and "I related to the transformation he goes through at this point of his life," says Arnett, who co-wrote the script with his buddy Cooper and British screen scribe Mark Chappell. "I wish I was smart enough to have done it on purpose, but it just kind of happened."
Doing standup was a new challenge, but for Arnett, the "very intimate and genuine" moments alongside Dern were "actually probably scarier" than the comedy-club bits. One of the key scenes is when Alex and Tess have an important conversation after she sees him get brutally honest about their life in front of a crowd of strangers.
"She says to him she's mad. She doesn't know why. But part of it is she sees a version of Alex that she remembers," Arnett says. "That's the guy she fell in love with on stage, freewheeling, feeling good, laughing, and I'm sure that it feels like, 'What the heck? That's who we were supposed to be.' "
In his own life, Arnett's had to deal with children and breakups. He was married to actresses Penelope Ann Miller and Amy Poehler, and has three sons: He shares Archie, 17, and Abel, 15, with fellow comedy star Poehler, and Denny, 5, with former partner Alessandra Brawn. But the actor's quick to point out that "Is This Thing On?" is "not 'The Will Arnett Story.' "
Alex (Will Arnett) and Tess (Laura Dern) try to figure out their relationship in the dramedy "Is This Thing On?"
Playing Alex, he found that some things "are baked into your DNA," Arnett says. A scene where Alex is folding his kids' clothes at his old home and he realizes it's bedtime and has to leave for his apartment is "a moment that John had told us about, that abject sort of loneliness you feel on those nights when you're there and you get reminded of your kids.
"I've heard people say, 'Oh, I get sad in a scene, and I think about my dog dying' as an actor to try to connect to that particular emotion. I have had, of course, moments that are akin to (Alex's), in the sense of divorce and kids and all that stuff. But it's very important to keep those things separate and access that emotion in a way that's specific to him and not to my own experience."
More significant for Arnett's performance, he admits, is his 55 years on the planet. "You know what? I couldn't have done it six months earlier," he says. "I've thought about that a lot. It was the right time. Because of what was going on in my life, all these things needed to conspire for me for it to happen."
You are in fact seeing double. Michael B. Jordan plays twin brothers who return to their Mississippi hometown to open up a juke joint in Ryan Coogler's "Sinners." Here's how the horror movie ranks against the rest of the year's best movies.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/CjM0wla class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
You are in fact seeing double. Michael B. Jordan plays twin brothers who return to their Mississippi hometown to open up a juke joint in Ryan Coogler's "Sinners." Here's how the horror movie ranks against the rest of the year's best movies.
">You are in fact seeing double. Michael B. Jordan plays twin brothers who return to their Mississippi hometown to open up a juke joint in Ryan Coogler's "Sinners." Here's how the horror movie ranks against the rest of the year's best movies.
" src=https://ift.tt/CjM0wla class=caas-img>30. "Him": Franchise star Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans, left) tests rookie Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) at his remote training camp to see if he's ready to be the next San Antonio Saviors quarterback in the bizarre and trippy football horror movie.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>30. "Him": Franchise star Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans, left) tests rookie Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) at his remote training camp to see if he's ready to be the next San Antonio Saviors quarterback in the bizarre and trippy football horror movie.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/WlU8i1w class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
30. "Him": Franchise star Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans, left) tests rookie Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) at his remote training camp to see if he's ready to be the next San Antonio Saviors quarterback in the bizarre and trippy football horror movie.
">30. "Him": Franchise star Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans, left) tests rookie Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers) at his remote training camp to see if he's ready to be the next San Antonio Saviors quarterback in the bizarre and trippy football horror movie.
" src=https://ift.tt/WlU8i1w class=caas-img>29. "The Testament of Ann Lee": Amanda Seyfried (center) stars as Ann Lee, the charismatic founder of the Shakers religious movement and a somewhat controversial figure in 18th-century America, in the engrossing historical musical drama.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>29. "The Testament of Ann Lee": Amanda Seyfried (center) stars as Ann Lee, the charismatic founder of the Shakers religious movement and a somewhat controversial figure in 18th-century America, in the engrossing historical musical drama.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Jq9QLSc class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
29. "The Testament of Ann Lee": Amanda Seyfried (center) stars as Ann Lee, the charismatic founder of the Shakers religious movement and a somewhat controversial figure in 18th-century America, in the engrossing historical musical drama.
">29. "The Testament of Ann Lee": Amanda Seyfried (center) stars as Ann Lee, the charismatic founder of the Shakers religious movement and a somewhat controversial figure in 18th-century America, in the engrossing historical musical drama.
" src=https://ift.tt/Jq9QLSc class=caas-img>28. "Sorry, Baby": Eva Victor writes, directs and stars in the funny, moving dramedy as a college literature professor still battling the psychological effects years after being sexually assaulted by her teacher.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>28. "Sorry, Baby": Eva Victor writes, directs and stars in the funny, moving dramedy as a college literature professor still battling the psychological effects years after being sexually assaulted by her teacher.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/7ailmNh class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
28. "Sorry, Baby": Eva Victor writes, directs and stars in the funny, moving dramedy as a college literature professor still battling the psychological effects years after being sexually assaulted by her teacher.
">28. "Sorry, Baby": Eva Victor writes, directs and stars in the funny, moving dramedy as a college literature professor still battling the psychological effects years after being sexually assaulted by her teacher.
" src=https://ift.tt/7ailmNh class=caas-img>27. "Good Boy": The most innovative horror movie of the year stars, yes, a pooch. Indy the dog is a canine best friend whose owner is haunted by a dark spirit in a scary movie that's equally unsettling and thoughtful.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>27. "Good Boy": The most innovative horror movie of the year stars, yes, a pooch. Indy the dog is a canine best friend whose owner is haunted by a dark spirit in a scary movie that's equally unsettling and thoughtful.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ukBYnfO class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
27. "Good Boy": The most innovative horror movie of the year stars, yes, a pooch. Indy the dog is a canine best friend whose owner is haunted by a dark spirit in a scary movie that's equally unsettling and thoughtful.
">27. "Good Boy": The most innovative horror movie of the year stars, yes, a pooch. Indy the dog is a canine best friend whose owner is haunted by a dark spirit in a scary movie that's equally unsettling and thoughtful.
" src=https://ift.tt/ukBYnfO class=caas-img>26. "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning": Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) goes to extremes to battle a villainous AI and save the world, including hanging out of a plane, in the thrilling franchise installment wrapping up a 30-year storyline.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>26. "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning": Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) goes to extremes to battle a villainous AI and save the world, including hanging out of a plane, in the thrilling franchise installment wrapping up a 30-year storyline.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/tXHGoUA class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
26. "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning": Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) goes to extremes to battle a villainous AI and save the world, including hanging out of a plane, in the thrilling franchise installment wrapping up a 30-year storyline.
">26. "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning": Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) goes to extremes to battle a villainous AI and save the world, including hanging out of a plane, in the thrilling franchise installment wrapping up a 30-year storyline.
" src=https://ift.tt/tXHGoUA class=caas-img>25. "How to Train Your Dragon": Astrid (Nico Parker) and Hiccup (Mason Thames) ride high with their Night Fury friend Toothless in the live-action remake, a coming-of-age movie filled with great flying sequences and all the feels.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>25. "How to Train Your Dragon": Astrid (Nico Parker) and Hiccup (Mason Thames) ride high with their Night Fury friend Toothless in the live-action remake, a coming-of-age movie filled with great flying sequences and all the feels.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/kD451R7 class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
25. "How to Train Your Dragon": Astrid (Nico Parker) and Hiccup (Mason Thames) ride high with their Night Fury friend Toothless in the live-action remake, a coming-of-age movie filled with great flying sequences and all the feels.
">25. "How to Train Your Dragon": Astrid (Nico Parker) and Hiccup (Mason Thames) ride high with their Night Fury friend Toothless in the live-action remake, a coming-of-age movie filled with great flying sequences and all the feels.
" src=https://ift.tt/kD451R7 class=caas-img>24. "The Secret Agent": In the 1970s-set political thriller, Wagner Moura is terrific as a Brazilian researcher hunted by mercenary killers, who aims to escape the country's ruthless dictatorship with his son.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>24. "The Secret Agent": In the 1970s-set political thriller, Wagner Moura is terrific as a Brazilian researcher hunted by mercenary killers, who aims to escape the country's ruthless dictatorship with his son.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Oyf3xkz class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
24. "The Secret Agent": In the 1970s-set political thriller, Wagner Moura is terrific as a Brazilian researcher hunted by mercenary killers, who aims to escape the country's ruthless dictatorship with his son.
">24. "The Secret Agent": In the 1970s-set political thriller, Wagner Moura is terrific as a Brazilian researcher hunted by mercenary killers, who aims to escape the country's ruthless dictatorship with his son.
" src=https://ift.tt/Oyf3xkz class=caas-img>23. "One Battle After Another": When an old enemy resurfaces for vengeful reasons, an ex-revolutionary (Leonardo DiCaprio) scrambles to find his daughter when she goes missing in Paul Thomas Anderson's timely action thriller.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>23. "One Battle After Another": When an old enemy resurfaces for vengeful reasons, an ex-revolutionary (Leonardo DiCaprio) scrambles to find his daughter when she goes missing in Paul Thomas Anderson's timely action thriller.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1XyH9fS class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
23. "One Battle After Another": When an old enemy resurfaces for vengeful reasons, an ex-revolutionary (Leonardo DiCaprio) scrambles to find his daughter when she goes missing in Paul Thomas Anderson's timely action thriller.
">23. "One Battle After Another": When an old enemy resurfaces for vengeful reasons, an ex-revolutionary (Leonardo DiCaprio) scrambles to find his daughter when she goes missing in Paul Thomas Anderson's timely action thriller.
" src=https://ift.tt/1XyH9fS class=caas-img>22. "In Your Dreams": The lively animated fantasy comedy centers on young girl Stevie and her little brother Elliot, who team up with snarky stuffed giraffe Baloney Tony to find the mythical Sandman and make a wish to save their parents' marriage.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>22. "In Your Dreams": The lively animated fantasy comedy centers on young girl Stevie and her little brother Elliot, who team up with snarky stuffed giraffe Baloney Tony to find the mythical Sandman and make a wish to save their parents' marriage.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/TjDn0Xl class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
22. "In Your Dreams": The lively animated fantasy comedy centers on young girl Stevie and her little brother Elliot, who team up with snarky stuffed giraffe Baloney Tony to find the mythical Sandman and make a wish to save their parents' marriage.
">22. "In Your Dreams": The lively animated fantasy comedy centers on young girl Stevie and her little brother Elliot, who team up with snarky stuffed giraffe Baloney Tony to find the mythical Sandman and make a wish to save their parents' marriage.
" src=https://ift.tt/TjDn0Xl class=caas-img>21. "Sentimental Value": Renate Reinsve (left) and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas star in Joachim Trier's moving French dramedy as sisters dealing with the emotional consequences of their estranged father making his comeback movie about their family.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>21. "Sentimental Value": Renate Reinsve (left) and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas star in Joachim Trier's moving French dramedy as sisters dealing with the emotional consequences of their estranged father making his comeback movie about their family.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Z8nctxj class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
21. "Sentimental Value": Renate Reinsve (left) and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas star in Joachim Trier's moving French dramedy as sisters dealing with the emotional consequences of their estranged father making his comeback movie about their family.
">21. "Sentimental Value": Renate Reinsve (left) and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas star in Joachim Trier's moving French dramedy as sisters dealing with the emotional consequences of their estranged father making his comeback movie about their family.
" src=https://ift.tt/Z8nctxj class=caas-img>20. "Train Dreams": The absorbing period drama stars Joel Edgerton as a logger working on building the railroad in the Pacific Northwest whose job keeps him away for long periods from his wife and life.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>20. "Train Dreams": The absorbing period drama stars Joel Edgerton as a logger working on building the railroad in the Pacific Northwest whose job keeps him away for long periods from his wife and life.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/U9SxH14 class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
20. "Train Dreams": The absorbing period drama stars Joel Edgerton as a logger working on building the railroad in the Pacific Northwest whose job keeps him away for long periods from his wife and life.
">20. "Train Dreams": The absorbing period drama stars Joel Edgerton as a logger working on building the railroad in the Pacific Northwest whose job keeps him away for long periods from his wife and life.
" src=https://ift.tt/U9SxH14 class=caas-img>19. "Blue Moon": Richard Linklater's dishy 1940s-set dramedy centers on lyricist Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) trying to save his pride and career at the premiere afterparty celebrating his former collaborator Richard Rodgers' musical "Oklahoma!"
" style=padding-bottom:56%>19. "Blue Moon": Richard Linklater's dishy 1940s-set dramedy centers on lyricist Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) trying to save his pride and career at the premiere afterparty celebrating his former collaborator Richard Rodgers' musical "Oklahoma!"
" data-src=https://ift.tt/dawy8fW class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
19. "Blue Moon": Richard Linklater's dishy 1940s-set dramedy centers on lyricist Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) trying to save his pride and career at the premiere afterparty celebrating his former collaborator Richard Rodgers' musical "Oklahoma!"
">19. "Blue Moon": Richard Linklater's dishy 1940s-set dramedy centers on lyricist Lorenz Hart (Ethan Hawke) trying to save his pride and career at the premiere afterparty celebrating his former collaborator Richard Rodgers' musical "Oklahoma!"
" src=https://ift.tt/dawy8fW class=caas-img>18. "28 Years Later": Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes, left) shows Spike (Alfie Williams) how he honors the victims of the infected in a horror sequel that's a thoughtful exploration of family, tribalism and remembering the dead.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>18. "28 Years Later": Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes, left) shows Spike (Alfie Williams) how he honors the victims of the infected in a horror sequel that's a thoughtful exploration of family, tribalism and remembering the dead.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/aQWsohA class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
18. "28 Years Later": Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes, left) shows Spike (Alfie Williams) how he honors the victims of the infected in a horror sequel that's a thoughtful exploration of family, tribalism and remembering the dead.
">18. "28 Years Later": Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes, left) shows Spike (Alfie Williams) how he honors the victims of the infected in a horror sequel that's a thoughtful exploration of family, tribalism and remembering the dead.
" src=https://ift.tt/aQWsohA class=caas-img>17. "Magazine Dreams": In Elijah Bynum's intoxicating cautionary tale, Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors) is a socially awkward bodybuilder dealing with past traumas and wanting to make a human connection who goes down an extraordinarily bad path.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>17. "Magazine Dreams": In Elijah Bynum's intoxicating cautionary tale, Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors) is a socially awkward bodybuilder dealing with past traumas and wanting to make a human connection who goes down an extraordinarily bad path.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/OwjQAD6 class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
17. "Magazine Dreams": In Elijah Bynum's intoxicating cautionary tale, Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors) is a socially awkward bodybuilder dealing with past traumas and wanting to make a human connection who goes down an extraordinarily bad path.
">17. "Magazine Dreams": In Elijah Bynum's intoxicating cautionary tale, Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors) is a socially awkward bodybuilder dealing with past traumas and wanting to make a human connection who goes down an extraordinarily bad path.
" src=https://ift.tt/OwjQAD6 class=caas-img>16. "Ballerina": As a newbie assassin, Ana de Armas is a one-woman wrecking crew – and shares screen time with John Wick himself, Keanu Reeves. It's an impressive franchise spinoff packed with stellar brawls, superb gunfights and a nifty flamethrower faceoff.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>16. "Ballerina": As a newbie assassin, Ana de Armas is a one-woman wrecking crew – and shares screen time with John Wick himself, Keanu Reeves. It's an impressive franchise spinoff packed with stellar brawls, superb gunfights and a nifty flamethrower faceoff.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/uXsK3SN class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
16. "Ballerina": As a newbie assassin, Ana de Armas is a one-woman wrecking crew – and shares screen time with John Wick himself, Keanu Reeves. It's an impressive franchise spinoff packed with stellar brawls, superb gunfights and a nifty flamethrower faceoff.
">16. "Ballerina": As a newbie assassin, Ana de Armas is a one-woman wrecking crew – and shares screen time with John Wick himself, Keanu Reeves. It's an impressive franchise spinoff packed with stellar brawls, superb gunfights and a nifty flamethrower faceoff.
" src=https://ift.tt/uXsK3SN class=caas-img>15. "Left-Handed Girl": A 5-year-old Taiwanese girl (Nina Ye) and her older sister (Shih-Yuan Ma) move from the countryside back to Taipei with their mom, a return that brings financial and personal struggles in a touching slice-of-life drama.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>15. "Left-Handed Girl": A 5-year-old Taiwanese girl (Nina Ye) and her older sister (Shih-Yuan Ma) move from the countryside back to Taipei with their mom, a return that brings financial and personal struggles in a touching slice-of-life drama.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/gIFBdXq class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
15. "Left-Handed Girl": A 5-year-old Taiwanese girl (Nina Ye) and her older sister (Shih-Yuan Ma) move from the countryside back to Taipei with their mom, a return that brings financial and personal struggles in a touching slice-of-life drama.
">15. "Left-Handed Girl": A 5-year-old Taiwanese girl (Nina Ye) and her older sister (Shih-Yuan Ma) move from the countryside back to Taipei with their mom, a return that brings financial and personal struggles in a touching slice-of-life drama.
" src=https://ift.tt/gIFBdXq class=caas-img>14. "The Perfect Neighbor": Told through police bodycam footage, the gripping, heartbreaking documentary chronicles hostilities between an older white woman and the Black parents and children living around her, leading to a tragedy that shakes their neighborhood.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>14. "The Perfect Neighbor": Told through police bodycam footage, the gripping, heartbreaking documentary chronicles hostilities between an older white woman and the Black parents and children living around her, leading to a tragedy that shakes their neighborhood.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/VocmtEv class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
14. "The Perfect Neighbor": Told through police bodycam footage, the gripping, heartbreaking documentary chronicles hostilities between an older white woman and the Black parents and children living around her, leading to a tragedy that shakes their neighborhood.
">14. "The Perfect Neighbor": Told through police bodycam footage, the gripping, heartbreaking documentary chronicles hostilities between an older white woman and the Black parents and children living around her, leading to a tragedy that shakes their neighborhood.
" src=https://ift.tt/VocmtEv class=caas-img>13. "Frankenstein": Elizabeth (Mia Goth) shares a moment with the newborn Creature (Jacob Elordi), who confronts his maker in epic fashion in Guillermo del Toro's gorgeous, thoughtful and moving adaptation of Mary Shelley's legendary work.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>13. "Frankenstein": Elizabeth (Mia Goth) shares a moment with the newborn Creature (Jacob Elordi), who confronts his maker in epic fashion in Guillermo del Toro's gorgeous, thoughtful and moving adaptation of Mary Shelley's legendary work.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/IShnDi8 class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
13. "Frankenstein": Elizabeth (Mia Goth) shares a moment with the newborn Creature (Jacob Elordi), who confronts his maker in epic fashion in Guillermo del Toro's gorgeous, thoughtful and moving adaptation of Mary Shelley's legendary work.
">13. "Frankenstein": Elizabeth (Mia Goth) shares a moment with the newborn Creature (Jacob Elordi), who confronts his maker in epic fashion in Guillermo del Toro's gorgeous, thoughtful and moving adaptation of Mary Shelley's legendary work.
" src=https://ift.tt/IShnDi8 class=caas-img>12. "Nuremberg": Army psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek, left) and imprisoned Nazi leader Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe) match wits in James Vanderbilt's stirring combo of post-World War II historical thriller and courtroom drama.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>12. "Nuremberg": Army psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek, left) and imprisoned Nazi leader Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe) match wits in James Vanderbilt's stirring combo of post-World War II historical thriller and courtroom drama.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/jng5CWk class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
12. "Nuremberg": Army psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek, left) and imprisoned Nazi leader Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe) match wits in James Vanderbilt's stirring combo of post-World War II historical thriller and courtroom drama.
">12. "Nuremberg": Army psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek, left) and imprisoned Nazi leader Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe) match wits in James Vanderbilt's stirring combo of post-World War II historical thriller and courtroom drama.
" src=https://ift.tt/jng5CWk class=caas-img>11. "Jay Kelly:" Movie legend Jay (George Clooney) has a heart-to-heart with his oldest daughter (Riley Keough) in Noah Baumbach's charming character study of a celebrity realizing that he's always put work ahead of loved ones.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>11. "Jay Kelly:" Movie legend Jay (George Clooney) has a heart-to-heart with his oldest daughter (Riley Keough) in Noah Baumbach's charming character study of a celebrity realizing that he's always put work ahead of loved ones.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/OrYLQxf class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
11. "Jay Kelly:" Movie legend Jay (George Clooney) has a heart-to-heart with his oldest daughter (Riley Keough) in Noah Baumbach's charming character study of a celebrity realizing that he's always put work ahead of loved ones.
">11. "Jay Kelly:" Movie legend Jay (George Clooney) has a heart-to-heart with his oldest daughter (Riley Keough) in Noah Baumbach's charming character study of a celebrity realizing that he's always put work ahead of loved ones.
" src=https://ift.tt/OrYLQxf class=caas-img>10. "Weapons": A schoolteacher (Julia Garner) becomes a local pariah when every kid but one in her class mysteriously disappears overnight in a provocative, genre-defying horror flick that boasts unhinged gore and a delightfully dark sense of humor.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>10. "Weapons": A schoolteacher (Julia Garner) becomes a local pariah when every kid but one in her class mysteriously disappears overnight in a provocative, genre-defying horror flick that boasts unhinged gore and a delightfully dark sense of humor.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/p5z1M7n class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
10. "Weapons": A schoolteacher (Julia Garner) becomes a local pariah when every kid but one in her class mysteriously disappears overnight in a provocative, genre-defying horror flick that boasts unhinged gore and a delightfully dark sense of humor.
">10. "Weapons": A schoolteacher (Julia Garner) becomes a local pariah when every kid but one in her class mysteriously disappears overnight in a provocative, genre-defying horror flick that boasts unhinged gore and a delightfully dark sense of humor.
" src=https://ift.tt/p5z1M7n class=caas-img>9. "Is This Thing On?": Will Arnett proves he's got dramatic chops as a middle-aged man on the cusp of a divorce when he finds a needed outlet with stand-up comedy in Bradley Cooper's film about creative catharsis and complicated relationships.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>9. "Is This Thing On?": Will Arnett proves he's got dramatic chops as a middle-aged man on the cusp of a divorce when he finds a needed outlet with stand-up comedy in Bradley Cooper's film about creative catharsis and complicated relationships.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/tLsKOM6 class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
9. "Is This Thing On?": Will Arnett proves he's got dramatic chops as a middle-aged man on the cusp of a divorce when he finds a needed outlet with stand-up comedy in Bradley Cooper's film about creative catharsis and complicated relationships.
">9. "Is This Thing On?": Will Arnett proves he's got dramatic chops as a middle-aged man on the cusp of a divorce when he finds a needed outlet with stand-up comedy in Bradley Cooper's film about creative catharsis and complicated relationships.
" src=https://ift.tt/tLsKOM6 class=caas-img>8. "Superman": The Man of Steel (David Corenswet) isn't happy with his dog Krypto making a mess of the Fortress of Solitude in James Gunn's electric superhero adventure, which relaunched the DC universe and introduced a screen Superman worthy of the name.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>8. "Superman": The Man of Steel (David Corenswet) isn't happy with his dog Krypto making a mess of the Fortress of Solitude in James Gunn's electric superhero adventure, which relaunched the DC universe and introduced a screen Superman worthy of the name.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yHBdqCs class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
8. "Superman": The Man of Steel (David Corenswet) isn't happy with his dog Krypto making a mess of the Fortress of Solitude in James Gunn's electric superhero adventure, which relaunched the DC universe and introduced a screen Superman worthy of the name.
">8. "Superman": The Man of Steel (David Corenswet) isn't happy with his dog Krypto making a mess of the Fortress of Solitude in James Gunn's electric superhero adventure, which relaunched the DC universe and introduced a screen Superman worthy of the name.
" src=https://ift.tt/yHBdqCs class=caas-img>7. "Hamnet": Agnes (Jessie Buckley) comforts her husband, William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal), in director Chloé Zhao's drama, a heartfelt film about the Bard's family life, the creation of his play "Hamlet" and different ways of dealing with grief.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>7. "Hamnet": Agnes (Jessie Buckley) comforts her husband, William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal), in director Chloé Zhao's drama, a heartfelt film about the Bard's family life, the creation of his play "Hamlet" and different ways of dealing with grief.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/hQui1Tr class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
7. "Hamnet": Agnes (Jessie Buckley) comforts her husband, William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal), in director Chloé Zhao's drama, a heartfelt film about the Bard's family life, the creation of his play "Hamlet" and different ways of dealing with grief.
">7. "Hamnet": Agnes (Jessie Buckley) comforts her husband, William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal), in director Chloé Zhao's drama, a heartfelt film about the Bard's family life, the creation of his play "Hamlet" and different ways of dealing with grief.
" src=https://ift.tt/hQui1Tr class=caas-img>6. "Marty Supreme": Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet) has big dreams of being a ping-pong champ, if his own selfish attitude doesn't derail him first. Josh Safdie's 1950s-set sports comedy is a masterful panic attack of a table-tennis movie.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>6. "Marty Supreme": Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet) has big dreams of being a ping-pong champ, if his own selfish attitude doesn't derail him first. Josh Safdie's 1950s-set sports comedy is a masterful panic attack of a table-tennis movie.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yUWI60O class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
6. "Marty Supreme": Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet) has big dreams of being a ping-pong champ, if his own selfish attitude doesn't derail him first. Josh Safdie's 1950s-set sports comedy is a masterful panic attack of a table-tennis movie.
">6. "Marty Supreme": Marty Mauser (Timothée Chalamet) has big dreams of being a ping-pong champ, if his own selfish attitude doesn't derail him first. Josh Safdie's 1950s-set sports comedy is a masterful panic attack of a table-tennis movie.
" src=https://ift.tt/yUWI60O class=caas-img>5. "It Was Just an Accident": Vahid Mobasseri plays a mechanic and former Iranian political prisoner who kidnaps his former torturer. Jafar Panahi's thriller is an unforgettable juggling of serious moral questions and clever screwball comedy.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>5. "It Was Just an Accident": Vahid Mobasseri plays a mechanic and former Iranian political prisoner who kidnaps his former torturer. Jafar Panahi's thriller is an unforgettable juggling of serious moral questions and clever screwball comedy.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/8zUfPkj class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
5. "It Was Just an Accident": Vahid Mobasseri plays a mechanic and former Iranian political prisoner who kidnaps his former torturer. Jafar Panahi's thriller is an unforgettable juggling of serious moral questions and clever screwball comedy.
">5. "It Was Just an Accident": Vahid Mobasseri plays a mechanic and former Iranian political prisoner who kidnaps his former torturer. Jafar Panahi's thriller is an unforgettable juggling of serious moral questions and clever screwball comedy.
" src=https://ift.tt/8zUfPkj class=caas-img>4. "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery": Ace detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig, left) helps young priest Father Jud (Josh O'Connor) when he's accused of murder in the Southern-fried super-sleuth's most personal and thoughtful case yet.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>4. "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery": Ace detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig, left) helps young priest Father Jud (Josh O'Connor) when he's accused of murder in the Southern-fried super-sleuth's most personal and thoughtful case yet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/vaesHNp class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
4. "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery": Ace detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig, left) helps young priest Father Jud (Josh O'Connor) when he's accused of murder in the Southern-fried super-sleuth's most personal and thoughtful case yet.
">4. "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery": Ace detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig, left) helps young priest Father Jud (Josh O'Connor) when he's accused of murder in the Southern-fried super-sleuth's most personal and thoughtful case yet.
" src=https://ift.tt/vaesHNp class=caas-img>3. "Rental Family": An American expat actor (Brendan Fraser) stands in as the groom for the wedding of a Japanese woman (Misato Morita). Fraser exudes compassion and awkward, earnest charm in director Hikari's fish-way-out-of-water dramedy.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>3. "Rental Family": An American expat actor (Brendan Fraser) stands in as the groom for the wedding of a Japanese woman (Misato Morita). Fraser exudes compassion and awkward, earnest charm in director Hikari's fish-way-out-of-water dramedy.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/CVdy3UM class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
3. "Rental Family": An American expat actor (Brendan Fraser) stands in as the groom for the wedding of a Japanese woman (Misato Morita). Fraser exudes compassion and awkward, earnest charm in director Hikari's fish-way-out-of-water dramedy.
">3. "Rental Family": An American expat actor (Brendan Fraser) stands in as the groom for the wedding of a Japanese woman (Misato Morita). Fraser exudes compassion and awkward, earnest charm in director Hikari's fish-way-out-of-water dramedy.
" src=https://ift.tt/CVdy3UM class=caas-img>2. "Sinners": Southern gangster Smoke (Michael B. Jordan, left) and his guitar-playing cousin Sammie (Miles Caton) endure a horrific night dealing with vampires in Ryan Coogler's devilishly spectacular and absolutely mesmerizing fright fest.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2. "Sinners": Southern gangster Smoke (Michael B. Jordan, left) and his guitar-playing cousin Sammie (Miles Caton) endure a horrific night dealing with vampires in Ryan Coogler's devilishly spectacular and absolutely mesmerizing fright fest.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/T7N6xtu class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
2. "Sinners": Southern gangster Smoke (Michael B. Jordan, left) and his guitar-playing cousin Sammie (Miles Caton) endure a horrific night dealing with vampires in Ryan Coogler's devilishly spectacular and absolutely mesmerizing fright fest.
">2. "Sinners": Southern gangster Smoke (Michael B. Jordan, left) and his guitar-playing cousin Sammie (Miles Caton) endure a horrific night dealing with vampires in Ryan Coogler's devilishly spectacular and absolutely mesmerizing fright fest.
" src=https://ift.tt/T7N6xtu class=caas-img>1. "The Life of Chuck": Chuck (Tom Hiddleston) suddenly feels the beat and shares an impromptu dance with a stranger (Annalise Basso) in Mike Flanagan's must-see Stephen King adaptation that warms hearts, captures minds and blows up convention.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>1. "The Life of Chuck": Chuck (Tom Hiddleston) suddenly feels the beat and shares an impromptu dance with a stranger (Annalise Basso) in Mike Flanagan's must-see Stephen King adaptation that warms hearts, captures minds and blows up convention.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/y8vmPu9 class=caas-img data-headline="Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025" data-caption="
1. "The Life of Chuck": Chuck (Tom Hiddleston) suddenly feels the beat and shares an impromptu dance with a stranger (Annalise Basso) in Mike Flanagan's must-see Stephen King adaptation that warms hearts, captures minds and blows up convention.
">1. "The Life of Chuck": Chuck (Tom Hiddleston) suddenly feels the beat and shares an impromptu dance with a stranger (Annalise Basso) in Mike Flanagan's must-see Stephen King adaptation that warms hearts, captures minds and blows up convention.
" src=https://ift.tt/y8vmPu9 class=caas-img>
1 / 31Want to see a great movie? Here are the best films of 2025
You are in fact seeing double. Michael B. Jordan plays twin brothers who return to their Mississippi hometown to open up a juke joint in Ryan Coogler's "Sinners." Here's how the horror movie ranks against the rest of the year's best movies.
Having such a meaty role in "Is This Thing On?" felt like "a dream that had passed me by. No matter what happens, just actually going through the process of doing it to me felt very satisfying artistically, if I may use that word," Arnett says, laughing.
Is he at a creative high point? "I'm not sure," Arnett figures. "I'm a really fortunate guy. I've got three great kids who are really happy and I get to do this kind of stuff. In that way, I'm in a life high point, I'll say that."
As for doing more dramatic roles, now he's more inclined to do roles like Alex "I can connect to on an emotional level," Arnett says. He's "a character who doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles. He doesn't have a limp. Half his face isn't smushed in. There's no tricks to it.
"He's you and me, and in a real stripped down way, accessing that was really the job. I like the idea of characters going forward that don't come from outer space but that live here among us."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Arnett embraces drama of Bradley Cooper's 'Is This Thing On?'
Original Article on Source
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Read More
Source: Entertainment
Published: January 08, 2026 at 05:36PM on Source: RED MAG
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle
No, divorce dramedy 'Is This Thing On?' is not 'The Will Arnett Story' Brian Truitt, USA TODAYJanuary 8,...
