Movies about motherhood seem to be a popular theme to tackle in recent years. From animated spectacles like The Wild Robot to bizarre thrillers like Nightbitch, films have tackled the complexity of motherhood in a variety of ways. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is the next film to tackle motherhood, and does so in the most anxiety-inducing manner.

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You follows Linda, played by Rose Byrne, as a therapist and mother of an ill child who is left alone to care for her after her husband goes on a work trip. From one shortcoming after another, Linda slowly begins to lose her mind as she struggles to maintain her own health as well as her child’s. Oozing with honesty while perfectly utilizing fantastical filmmaking, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You tragically tells the reality of motherhood that keeps every audience member on their toes.

The tension of If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is constant, with director Mary Bronstein clearly taking inspiration from producer Josh Safdie’s work on Good Time and Uncut Gems. Although the film is nearly two hours long, there is barely a moment to breathe, which expertly captures the idea of motherhood being a constant job with no rest. Whether it’s just a trip to get alcohol or a therapy session, nearly every sequence in the film sees Linda running into some sort of issue that needs to be resolved at a fast rate. While in most cases, a film this tension-driven and abrasive would feel tiring, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You finds enough purpose in the intensity to make it worth the experience.

Not only does Bronstein draw inspiration from the Safdie brothers for building tension, but also from their unconventional casting choices. Rose Byrne, best known for her comedic work and her role in the Insidious franchise, has never played a role like this. Although the film has elements of horror, Byrne’s character delves into psychological drama, allowing her to show an acting side rarely seen from her. The film asks a lot from her performance, and Byrne absolutely nails it. Although her character is littered with unlikable traits, Byrne finds empathy in the role, allowing the audience to root for her and her family’s happiness. Her performance as an everyday mother attempting to make ends meet is effortless, almost as if the audience is watching a documentary about a woman on the brink of collapse. Not only is Byrne extremely deserving of an Oscar nomination, but would be more than a worthy winner of the award.

Rose Byrne, A$AP Rocky, and Conan O’Brien might feel like random names that the filmmakers pulled out of a hat, but they shockingly work well together in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. A$AP Rocky’s performance as James is pitch-perfect, providing the film with the right amount of comedic relief to release tension when necessary. While his character isn’t very deep or integral to the overall story, his charismatic performance makes him memorable. Conan O’Brien completely transforms for his role as Linda’s coworker, credited as “therapist”. Known mostly for his comedic work, O’Brien is stone-cold in the film as an unsupportive yet attentive therapist, showcasing his strengths as a dramatic actor. Much like A$AP Rocky, his role in the film isn’t pivotal, but his performance leaves a major impression.

The cinematography is just as invasive as the editing. Consisting mostly of Rose Byrne close-ups, the film truly hammers home Linda’s nausea to life through its cinematography. The film deliberately lacks color, with blue the only bright hue. The use of blue effectively conveys the characters’ inherent sadness and bleakness toward the world. Despite lacking color, the film delivers beautiful imagery, with shots of a hole in the roof of Linda’s apartment effectively portraying the emptiness she feels, a feeling that somehow blends elements of euphoria. A sequence of Linda running into ocean waves but failing to make it past them also stands as one of the most visually gorgeous shots in the film, not only for its composition but also for what it says about the character. The waves overwhelm the camera as Linda sees her own life, and her inability to make it past them is a deeply sad representation of motherhood that conveys the film’s thesis in the most beautiful and awe-inspiring way.

The film also shies away from showing Linda’s daughter’s face. Not only does this decision emphasize that this is Linda’s story, but it also shows that Linda does not view her child in the most humane way. To Linda, the face of her child does not matter, which makes for a sad revelation that the audience wants changed by the end of the film. The sound design is another contributing factor to the film’s sadness and tension. The sounds are not only meticulously crafted, but the way they are mixed in the film emphasizes how on edge Linda is. The film will mix different sounds, such as a phone ringing and a crying baby, in a manner that sometimes overpowers the dialogue. Although mixing different sounds effectively conveys the film’s central themes, it can be overbearing, verging on mere noise. Chaos is exactly what Bronstein wanted to capture, but sometimes it’s a little too chaotic for its own good.

While the abrasive nature of If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is bound to turn away audiences, a tour-de-force performance by Rose Byrne and its stellar filmmaking from Mary Bronstein and crew make for an unforgettable cinematic experience. With constantly thrilling set pieces and showcasing A$AP Rocky and Conan O’Brien as true acting talents, this is a film that is bound to stay with audiences long after the credits roll.

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is now playing in select theaters.

Rating: 8/10

Oscar Prospects:

Best Actress