Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Drugs, drinking, and drama in mom-meltdown movie.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
If I Had Legs I'd Kick You
What's the Story?
In IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU, Linda (Rose Byrne) is a therapist who's managing her chronically ill daughter's medical care alone, while her military husband (Christian Slater) is stationed overseas. When a pipe bursts in her apartment, she and her daughter move into a motel—where she meets neighbor James (A$AP Rocky)—as she adds apartment repair to her ever-growing list of responsibilities.
Is It Any Good?
Writer-director Mary Bronstein's pressure cooker of a drama should inspire a new psychological stress test: On a scale of 1–10, where are you on the Linda level of losing it? The sweaty, uncomfortable ride that is If I Had Legs I'd Kick You focuses mostly on Linda's face (she's played to perfection by Byrne) as she starts to fall apart from the demands of life, her daughter, her daughter's doctor, her husband, and her patients. It's intense, and it serves as a filmed example of what it can feel like to be a primary parent, especially in those stretches where the hits keep coming. The ending offers a metaphorical message: The waves will pummel you relentlessly, they will knock you down, but you'll survive—and all of the pain is worth it for our little loves.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what If I Had Legs I'd Kick You is saying about what to do when life feels overwhelming. How do you feel when things pile up around you? What are some positive ways to deal with it?
Caregivers, what parts of Linda's situation feel relatable to you? Discuss the airplane survival analogy—"put your oxygen mask on first"—that's referenced in the film. Why is self-care important? What else could Linda have done to manage all of her responsibilities?
How would you feel if you were on the receiving end of Linda's behavior toward James or the parking lot attendant? What's the meaning of the saying "we're all going through something," and how can we keep that in mind when someone is rude or belligerent?
Are drug and alcohol use glamorized or made to seem like a solution in the movie? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
Discuss the cinematography choices: Why do you think we don't see Linda's daughter's face until the final shot? Why is the camera focused on Linda's face for much of the film? What's the meaning of the final scene?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 10, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : November 18, 2025
- Cast : Rose Byrne , A$AP Rocky , Conan O'Brien
- Director : Mary Bronstein
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : A24
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 113 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, some drug use and bloody images.
- Awards : Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner
- Last updated : January 22, 2026
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