Conan O’Brien Has A Serious Role In If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. Here’s Why He Should Do More Dramatic Work

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Conan O’Brien is widely known as a hugely talented comedian, bringing a lot of energy to everything he does, from hosting talk shows to appearing on programs like Hot Ones. However, his recent role in the A24 film If I Had Legs I’d Kick You shows a different side of him. He plays a surprisingly serious and understated character, and it makes a strong case for him taking on more dramatic acting roles in the future.

Who Does Conan O’Brien Play In This A24 Movie, And Why Does The Performance Work

Mary Bronstein’s new film, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, stars Rose Byrne as Linda, a woman juggling the care of her sick daughter with her job as a therapist. Her husband is absent, and she’s also in therapy herself, with a doctor – played by O’Brien – who happens to be a colleague at her workplace.

Conan O’Brien plays his character with a cool, detached attitude in his therapy sessions, which unintentionally creates some funny moments. But this is a largely serious role for him, and he makes the most of every scene. It’s remarkable how subtly he portrays such a practical person. This reserved style really stands out compared to Linda, who often has big, understandable reactions to the challenges she’s dealing with.

More on Conan O’Brien

I was watching Conan O’Brien the other day, and something he did with a guest really struck me. It made me instantly think, ‘You know what? Conan and Taika Waititi would be amazing together in a movie!’ Seriously, their comedic styles just seem like they’d mesh perfectly, and I’m now convinced they need to collaborate on a film. It’s just a feeling I have, but I think it would be hilarious!

The comedian, clearly inspired by John Candy, plays the perfect grounded counterpart to Byrne, and he has the potential to bring that same skill to more serious roles. What’s really impressive is how well he memorized and delivered the complex dialogue, especially a standout monologue I won’t spoil. Interestingly, the writer, Mary Bronstein, actually thought the monologue was impossible to perform, but O’Brien nailed it, much to her surprise.

Overall, Conan O’Brien provides a reassuring and relatable element to Bronstein’s honest and insightful look at being a parent. This is an impressive feat for any actor, but particularly notable for someone typically known for their quirky and unconventional on-screen personality.

How Should Conan O’Brien Expand Upon His Work In If I Had Legs I’d Kick You?

I’m happy to see Conan O’Brien appearing in mainstream movies, and his part in Toy Story 5 sounds great. But after watching his work in If I Had Legs, I really think he’d shine in more independent films. With A24 constantly releasing interesting projects, I could easily picture him in one of their movies. The idea of him starring in a small, character-driven drama is really appealing – or even playing the villain! It would be fascinating to see him take on a more complex, dramatic role.

No matter the part, I’m hoping Bronstein’s film is the start of something new for Conan O’Brien as an actor. He’s been a hilarious and energetic presence on late-night TV for years, and I think he’s ready to challenge himself with more serious acting roles, just as he does with comedy.

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2025-10-24 15:08