If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is an upcoming 2025 American psychological comedy-drama film written and directed by Mary Bronstein. The movie features an impressive cast, including Rose Byrne, Conan O’Brien, Danielle Macdonald, Christian Slater, and A$AP Rocky.
The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2025, followed by an international screening at the Berlin International Film Festival. Rose Byrne even won the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance at Berlin. Distributed by A24, the movie is set for a U.S. theatrical release on October 10, 2025.
At NetFilming, we know that filming locations often add as much character to a movie as the script or performances. Here’s a detailed look at where If I Had Legs I’d Kick You was filmed and the cultural significance of each spot.
Where Was If I Had Legs I’d Kick You Filmed?
The movie was shot in two different parts of New York, and each one gave the story a different feel. From the serene beaches of Montauk to the gritty streets of Brooklyn, here’s a breakdown of the key filming spots.
Montauk, New York
A well-known coastal town at the eastern tip of Long Island, Montauk, was the setting for part of the movie. Montauk is known for its beautiful beaches, fishing docks and historic lighthouses. It made a calm and atmospheric setting for the movie. The movie’s mix of humour and psychological tension was made better by its open skies and calm coastline. The story has a strange, reflective tone and Rose Byrne’s character, Linda deals with personal and family problems at a beachside motel and other places in Montauk.
Trivia: Montauk has been a popular filming location for several notable productions, including the romantic drama Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and the Netflix series Montauk (which later evolved into Stranger Things).
1245 Grand Street, Brooklyn, New York
Another important place to film was 1245 Grand Street in Brooklyn. Known for its mix of industrial buildings, creative studios, and vibrant street life, this location likely served as one of the movie’s primary urban settings. The Brooklyn scenes are very different from the quiet coastal setting of Montauk, which shows how the tone and setting of the movie change.
Trivia: Because of its diverse cityscapes and lively culture, Brooklyn has been the setting for many famous films and TV shows, such as The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Boardwalk Empire.
When was the film If I Had Legs I’d Kick You filmed?
Filming took place from August to September 2023. Interestingly, production continued despite the SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike due to the team securing an interim agreement. This allowed cast and crew to proceed with shooting while much of Hollywood was on pause, making it one of the few independent productions to move forward during that time.
Production Timeline
| Date / Period | Event / Milestone |
|---|---|
| August 2023 | Filming begins in Montauk and Brooklyn |
| September 2023 | Principal photography wraps |
| January 24, 2025 | World premiere at Sundance Film Festival |
| February 2025 | Berlin International Film Festival screening |
| October 10, 2025 | Scheduled U.S. theatrical release by A24 |
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You Behind The Scenes
Making If I Had Legs I’d Kick You was a real labor of love, especially since it draws from director Mary Bronstein’s own life. For Mary Bronstein, seeing the film come together was deeply meaningful. As she told the Sundance audience, “This is the first time that anyone’s paid for me to make art. That’s a big deal!” Her passion drove everything—from developing the script to building the world around Linda, the film’s overwhelmed mother at its centre.
Rose Byrne shared how intense and personal the preparation was. She said she was “obsessed” with uncovering who Linda was before everything fell apart—and she and Bronstein dissected every line and moment to get it right. Byrne also reflected on the unique visual style: “Mary described it perfectly by saying she wanted to be behind Linda’s eyeballs.” The director indeed leaned into extreme close-ups, making the audience feel every breath and breakdown.
Working with Conan O’Brien brought its own moments. Byrne praised his professionalism, saying he was “very humble and committed to the scenes and to this character, who was very counterintuitive to his own warmth and generosity.” O’Brien himself joked after the premiere that, “I feel like I have to go to a hospital now,” overwhelmed by the emotional intensity he witnessed.
On the design side, production designer Carmen Navis went beyond conventional sets, crafting locations that felt emotionally alive. She described Linda’s bedroom as “an extension of Linda’s inner world,” complete with tactile detail—even using fleshy special effects to build the collapsing ceiling as a vivid metaphor for her mental state.
Finally, Bronstein explained how every scene was filmed—even those likely to be cut—to give the film editor and herself full control in post-production. She noted that shooting every bit as planned meant fewer on-set decisions later, giving them creative clarity when shaping the final cut.
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You Official Trailer
Stay tuned for more insights, and mark your calendars for October 10, 2025, to catch this one-of-a-kind film in theatres.
FAQs
Q1. Who directed If I Had Legs I’d Kick You?
A. Mary Bronstein, who is known for her unique mix of psychological depth and dark humour, wrote and directed the movie.
Q2. Where was If I Had Legs I’d Kick You filmed?
A. The movie was shot in Montauk, New York, and at 1245 Grand Street in Brooklyn, New York.
Q3. When was the filming of If I Had Legs I’d Kick You completed?
A. The movie was shot between August and September of 2023.
Q4. Which actors star in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You?
A. Rose Byrne, Conan O’Brien, Danielle Macdonald, Christian Slater, and A$AP Rocky are the main actors.
Q5. When will If I Had Legs I’d Kick You be released in theaters?
A. A24 will release the movie in the U.S. on October 10, 2025.
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