The hits just keep coming for Conan O’Brien. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, the new A24 film featuring the former late-night host in his very first dramatic role has been selected to screen at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
The film follows a therapist (Rose Byrne) as she “attempts to navigate her child’s mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and an increasingly hostile relationship with her therapist,” per a description from Sundance .
O’Brien has what’s described as a “memorable supporting role” as one of “two character irritants” for Byrne’s character. The second is played by another unexpected actor: musician A$AP Rocky.
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is written and directed by mumblecore actress and filmmaker Mary Bronstein, who’s best known for her 2008 feature, Yeast. The project is co-produced by Josh Safdie and Ronald Bronstein.
Fittingly, O’Brien shared the news of his role in a rare non-comedic post on X/Twitter. “It’s official, I’m in a movie with the incredible Rose Byrne,” he wrote. O’Brien went on to call director Bronstein “very talented.”
To date, O’Brien’s short filmography has been entirely comedic. Since wrapping up his late-night career with the end of TBS’ Conan in 2021, the host has dabbled with film roles in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story and Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain.
But it’s not his first foray into drama. Through his travel shows Conan Without Borders and Conan O’Brien Must Go, O’Brien has been chipping away at a career as an international soap star. He’s appeared in dramatic cameos on series in Armenia, South Korea, Italy, Mexico, and—most recently—New Zealand.
The Sundance Film Festival runs Jan. 23 through Feb. 2, 2025. For ticket info, visit http://festival.sundance.org
