If I Had Legs I'd Kick You ending explained: Linda's eventual fate revealed

If I Had Legs I'd Kick You is a film in the psychological comedy drama genre.

It's written and directed by Mary Bronstein. The producers include Sara Murphy, Ryan Zacarias, Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie, Eli Bush, Conor Hannon, and Richie Doyle. Its production banners include Central Pictures, Fat City, and Bronxburgh. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was released theatrically by A24 on October 10, 2025.

Here's the official synopsis as per Letterboxd:

"With her life crashing down around her, Linda attempts to navigate her child’s mysterious illness, her absent husband, a missing person, and an increasingly hostile relationship with her therapist."

Let's explore the film's ending.

What is the plot of If I Had Legs I'd Kick You?

If I Had Legs I'd Kick You is about a woman named Linda (played by Rose Byrne), who works as a physiotherapist. She is pushed to her limits while solely taking care of her daughter, who suffers from a feeding disorder, because her husband is absent from the family.

How does If I Had Legs I'd Kick You end?

If I Had Legs I'd Kick You has Dr Spring telling Linda that they will have to pull out the tube from her daughter's stomach. Linda pulled out the tube when her daughter was asleep. She did not feel any pain when the machine was turned off. Linda did not hesitate because she had an unhelpful husband and a male therapist who cancelled their sessions. She was exhausted and wanted a way to ease her life.

Towards the end, Linda and Charles return to the hotel. She tells Charles that James is the babysitter. James denies being a babysitter, and it creates awkwardness. James gets angry at Linda and asks why she pulled the tube. She leaves the hotel and tries to drown in the sea. Linda was looking for a moment of peace. No one understood her, and her husband only blamed her for everything.

The film's ending confirms that she survived. Linda woke up next to her daughter, who was looking at her. She apologises to her daughter and says that she would do better. The makers unveil her daughter's face for the first time. She ran behind Linda at the beach and saved her.

The ending showcases Linda coming to terms with her chaotic life. We are often told that motherhood is wonderful. But Linda's life is nothing but wonderful. She is overworked and always exhausted. People around her are also not helpful, which triggers Linda's suicide attempt. The film ends on a sombre note with Linda coming closer to her daughter. Her daughter smiles at her, which suggests that she's glad Linda is her mother.

The film attempts to paint a sympathetic picture of a mother. It urges people to listen to them without finding faults in their actions. The title hints at Linda's urge to take matters into her hands without actually doing it.