Bradley Cooper's new directorial effort "Is This Thing On?" releases first trailer

Arnett and Dern are playing a couple on the brink of divorce. As Arnett’s character, Alex, struggles with his crumbling marriage, he unexpectedly finds direction in standup comedy. The project is a clear departure from Cooper’s bigger, music-driven films, suggesting he’s interested in stretching himself as a director with smaller, character-focused stories

Cooper has quickly established himself as more than just a leading man, carving out a reputation as a serious filmmaker. He made a splash with his 2018 debut ‘A Star Is Born,’ which earned critical acclaim, box office success, and multiple Oscar nominations. He followed that up with ‘Maestro,’ a sweeping biopic of Leonard Bernstein that cemented his ability to balance ambitious storytelling with intimate character work. 

The film has a high profile as expected, as it's closing out the New York Film Festival and already generating conversation with its trailer. Whether it will factor into awards season remains to be seen, Dern could always make noise with another strong turn, but at the very least, it looks like a solid, understated effort. The film arrives in theaters in December.