\n UPDATED with new trailer: <\/strong>Searchlight Pictures<\/a> has released the later trailer for Is This Thing On?<\/a> <\/em>directed by Bradley Cooper<\/a>. Watch it above.<\/p>\n \n The official logline for the comedy is as follows: \u201cAs their marriage quietly unravels, Alex (Will Arnett<\/a>) faces middle age and an impending divorce, seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene while Tess (Laura Dern) confronts the sacrifices she made for their family \u2014 forcing them to navigate co-parenting, identity, and whether love can take a new form.\u201d See the film\u2019s first trailer below.<\/p>\n \n The feature, releasing December 19, will have its world premiere as the New York Film Festival\u2019s closing-night film October 10 at Lincoln Center\u2019s Alice Tully Hall. Cooper said the creative team is \u201chonored and humbled\u201d to premiere the film at NYFF, since the city serves as the film\u2019s backdrop. \u201cNYC injects an energy into every aspect of filmmaking that just can\u2019t be replicated,\u201d the multi-hyphenate added.<\/p>\n \n Cast also includes Cooper, Andra Day, Amy Sedaris, Sean Hayes, Christine Ebersole, Ciar\u00e1n Hinds and Scott Icenogle. The pic is produced by Weston Middleton, Kris Thykier, Cooper and Arnett, the latter two of which also co-wrote the script with Mark Chappell. British comic John Bishop inspired the movie\u2019s story, and the comedian will be executive producing.<\/p>\n \n Is This Thing On?\u00a0<\/em>marks Cooper\u2019s third directorial effort, following 2023 biopic\u00a0Maestro<\/em> and 2018 debut\u00a0A Star Is Born<\/em>.<\/p>\n \n \u201cThis movie is not a midlife crisis \u2014 it\u2019s a midlife catharsis,\u201d Cooper told\u00a0Vanity Fair<\/a><\/em>. \u201cSometimes you realize you\u2019re coasting and you\u2019ve lost your rudder and your North Star in life, and that takes a toll on whoever is in your orbit.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n