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A Renewed Spotlight on a Storied Career
In 2025, Laura Dern continues to cement her status as one of Hollywood’s most versatile and respected actors. With major new films dropping, a creative return to television, and the lasting impact of a sweeping legacy, Dern’s momentum isn’t slowing down. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, the coming months offer compelling reasons to revisit — or discover for the first time — the breadth of her talent.
Dern has earned just about every major accolade: an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy, a BAFTA, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and multiple Golden Globes.
In 2025 she embraces exciting new roles across both film and streaming platforms. In this article, we break down everything you need to know about her new work — and why now might be the perfect time to revisit her filmography.
New on the Big Screen: “Is This Thing On?” and “Jay Kelly”
Is This Thing On? — arriving December 19, 2025
One of Dern’s headline-making projects this year is Is This Thing On?, a dramedy directed by Bradley Cooper. The film stars Will Arnett as Alex, a middle-aged man grappling with divorce and searching for meaning — and Dern plays Tess, his wife, facing her own reckoning as their marriage unravines.
The movie uses humor and emotional realism to explore themes of identity, reinvention, and love’s messy transformations. Critics are already praising Dern as “perfectly cast” — she brings both vulnerability and quiet strength to a role centered on sacrifice, resilience, and self-discovery.
Having premiered as the closing film at the 2025 New York Film Festival, Is This Thing On? hits theaters nationwide December 19.
Jay Kelly — now streaming on Netflix
Another recent highlight is Jay Kelly, directed by celebrated filmmaker Noah Baumbach. In this film, Dern plays Liz — a publicist in the orbit of a charismatic movie star played by George Clooney, with Adam Sandler also starring. The movie weaves dark humor and industry satire, offering an intimate look at fame, identity, and the shifting dynamics behind the spotlight.
Streaming starting December 5, 2025, on Netflix, the film offers a timely meditation on art, ego, and self-awareness. Dern has spoken candidly about revisiting a Baumbach set, calling the experience “the time of my life.”
These two films underscore the range Dern continues to command — from intimate relationship drama to biting Hollywood satire — and remind audiences how deeply she embodies characters with conflicting emotions and inner conflict.
Back on Screen: Returning to Television with Palm Royale
While her movie slate commands much of the spotlight, Dern also returns to television with Palm Royale. In its second season, she plays Linda — a feminist character shaped by her upbringing among activist artists, inspired in part by the women of 1970s cinema and human rights movements.
Dern has described this role as deeply personal, influenced by her own upbringing and her late mother’s legacy. The show explores themes of identity, social consciousness, and the search for belonging.
If you’ve missed season one — now is a great time to catch up. The new season adds layers of emotional resonance and context, especially considering the personal loss Dern has navigated in 2025.
A Career Built on Risk — And Reinvention
What stands out about Laura Dern’s career is the balance she strikes between mainstream blockbusters and bold, character-driven stories. From early roles in art-house films to franchises and indie dramas, she has consistently chosen parts that challenge her. Critics often praise her willingness to take on complex, flawed, or unconventional women.
With Is This Thing On? and Jay Kelly, she continues that tradition. Both films are deeply human — raw, imperfect, reflective. They don’t rely on spectacle. Instead, they offer emotional honesty.
Her television work in Palm Royale further expands her reach, reminding audiences that Dern remains committed not just to big-screen storytelling, but also to character arcs that take time to breathe and evolve over episodes.
Behind the Roles: Why 2025 Is a Turning Point
Several factors make 2025 particularly noteworthy in Dern’s career:
- Diverse role selection — 2025 shifts between satire (Jay Kelly), intimate drama (Is This Thing On?), and serialized television (Palm Royale), showing her range.
- Mature storytelling — Her characters grapple with real human issues: identity, aging, relationship breakdown, self-worth.
- Personal resonance — Dern has spoken about how her own history and upbringing shape her creative decisions. Palm Royale, in particular, reflects her ties to strong women artists from previous generations.
- Industry recognition — Critics and festival platforms have responded positively. Is This Thing On? closed the 2025 New York Film Festival, and praise has already begun for Dern’s grounded performance.
All of this signals an era of reinvention and renewed purpose for Dern — and positions her at a crossroads where critical acclaim, legacy, and cultural relevance intersect.
Revisiting a Rich Filmography
For viewers who know Dern primarily from dramatic hits and familial legacies, 2025 is an opportunity to rediscover the full scope of her career. Some of her most acclaimed past works include:
- Early indie and art-house films that cemented her reputation for boldness.
- Major blockbuster successes and wide releases.
- Critically acclaimed TV performances and award-winning roles, showing depth and consistency over decades.
Given the momentum she now carries, there’s never been a better time to explore — or re-explore — her body of work: from early dramatic roots to the bold new projects arriving now.
What to Watch (and When)
Here’s a quick guide to Dern’s 2025 work and where you can catch it:
- Is This Thing On? — in theaters nationwide starting December 19, 2025.
- Jay Kelly — streaming on Netflix starting December 5, 2025.
- Palm Royale — second season streaming now on Apple TV+ (weekly episodes).
Final Thoughts
In a year filled with personal change and professional evolution, Laura Dern stands out not just for her past honors — but for her renewed sense of purpose. In 2025, she isn’t resting on legacy or laurels. She’s exploring complicated characters, nuanced stories, and new creative terrain.
If you’ve followed her journey for years, this might feel like another highlight. If you’re new to her work, now is a perfect moment to dive in.
Stay tuned for what’s next — and feel free to share in the comments below what Laura Dern movie or show you’re most excited to watch.
