Rose Byrne Wins Spirit Award, Says ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’ Character “Could Only Exist” in an Indie Film

Accepting the award for best lead performance, the actress added, "I'm from Australia, and it's really all independent film there." Rose Byrne accepts the best lead performance award for 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' at the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Feb. 15. Kevin Winter/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Rose Byrne took home another trophy for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You — this time, at the 2026 Spirit Awards. Accepting the award for best lead performance, Byrne said, “I share this with Mary Bronstein, my writer, director, who fought for eight years to get this movie made. It’s a deeply personal story. I love you, Mary.” The Australian actress continued, “This character of Linda really could only exist in an independent film. She’s fierce and she’s gracious and she’s a middle-aged woman,” she said before adding, “I’m from Australia, and it’s really all independent film there, so I feel very at home here.” Related Stories Movies Spirit Awards: 'Train Dreams' Director Clint Bentley Credits Films for "Putting Goodness Into the World" While It "Feels Like It's On Fire" Lifestyle Kumail Nanjiani Jokes He's a "White Guy" at Spirit Awards, "Eating Erewhon for Lunch and Dinner" The actress was nominated alongside Everett Blunck (The Plague), Kathleen Chalfant (Familiar Touch), Chang Chen (Lucky Lu), Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams), Dylan O’Brien (Twinless), Keke Palmer (One of Them Days), Théodore Pellerin (Lurker), Tessa Thompson (Hedda) and Ben Whishaw (Peter Hujar’s Day). From writer-director Mary Bronstein, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is about parenting in extremis and existential black holes. The Hollywood Reporter’s chief film critic David Rooney, praised the actress’ performance in his review of If I Had Legs. “Byrne’s high-wire act remains riveting, scrutinized for long stretches of the film in DP Christopher Messina’s probing closeups,” he wrote. It’s a bruising performance, digging deep into the intense pressure and isolation that can sometimes accompany motherhood with a mercilessness that makes Nightbitch look tame, while not excluding compassion. You feel for Linda as she struggles to keep her head from exploding when blinkered men fail to get just how crazy-making responsibility for a small child can be.” In January, Byrne won a Golden Globe for best actress in a musical or comedy. She made headlines for her unexpected speech, explaining that her partner and actor Bobby Cannavale wasn’t able to be her date at the Golden Globes because he was finding a new pet. “We’re getting a bearded dragon, and he went to a reptile expo in New Jersey,” she said to laughter from the audience. At last year’s Spirit Awards, Mikey Madison won in the best lead performance category for Sean Baker’s Anora. See all of the winners from the 41st annual Spirit Awards here, and all the stars who walked the blue carpet here. Read More About: Awards If I Had Legs I'd Kick You Independent Spirit Awards rose byrne Spirit Awards spirit awards 2026 THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up More from The Hollywood Reporter Train Dreams Spirit Awards: ‘Train Dreams’ Director Clint Bentley Credits Films for “Putting Goodness Into the World” While It “Feels Like It’s On Fire”