Rose Byrne, nominated for a BAFTA Film Award this weekend, recently shared why a key character in her new film, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (now available in the UK), remains unseen throughout the movie, even though they play a crucial role in the story.
The movie features Byrne as Linda, a therapist and mother facing challenges as she cares for her daughter, who has difficulty eating.
Delaney Quinn’s character on the show isn’t clearly presented to viewers, and actor Byrne explained the reason for this during an appearance on The One Show tonight.
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She explained that the story forces you to confront the parent’s actions. And she believes that when a child appears on screen, viewers naturally feel sympathy for them. By focusing on the parent, the actress is deliberately challenging the audience’s instinctive empathy and making them question where their loyalties lie.
The film takes a bold and dramatic approach to storytelling, thanks to the creative choices of writer-director Mary Bronstein.
Byrne also pointed out that Linda is unable to connect with her daughter, because she’s overwhelmed with stress and exhaustion, creating a disconnect on both sides.
The film If I Had Legs I’d Kick You has been highly praised, earning a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics especially lauded the performance by Byrne.
According to FilmWeek, the film is painful to watch but deeply human. Newsday praised [Byrne]’s performance, noting that she portrays Linda with nuance and restraint, revealing her character slowly and authentically without resorting to melodrama.
I was reading a review in The Independent, and honestly, it was brutal! They said her performances aren’t about artistry or emotional depth – it’s just raw, exposed emotion. They described it as being less about a beautiful performance and more like watching someone completely bare their soul, almost painfully so. It’s not pretty, it’s just… a lot of unfiltered feeling.
According to The Guardian, Bronstein excels at portraying growing anxiety and overwhelming sadness.
At the BAFTA awards on Sunday, Saoirse Byrne is nominated for Best Actress alongside Emma Stone (for Bugonia), Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another), and Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue).
Joining her in the competition for the Academy Award in March are Stone, Buckley, Hudson, and Reinsve.
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is in UK cinemas now.
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2026-02-20 23:19