Conan O'Brien breaks down his dramatic acting debut: 'Please don't hire me' Brendan Morrow, USA TODAYOctober 3, 2025 at 10:00 PM 0 NEW YORK — Could Conan O'Brien one day go from hosting the Oscars to winning one? The former latenight host makes a surprising career pivot in the harrowing new A24 dram...
- - Conan O'Brien breaks down his dramatic acting debut: 'Please don't hire me'
Brendan Morrow, USA TODAYOctober 3, 2025 at 10:00 PM
0
NEW YORK — Could Conan O'Brien one day go from hosting the Oscars to winning one?
The former late-night host makes a surprising career pivot in the harrowing new A24 drama "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You," which marks his first time playing a fictional character in a live-action dramatic film. The movie, which screened on Thursday, Oct. 2, at the New York Film Festival, stars Rose Byrne as an overwhelmed mother, Linda, struggling to care for her sick daughter.
In a Q&A after the screening, O'Brien, who plays Linda's stone-faced therapist and colleague, noted he felt pressure to get his performance right with an actor of Byrne's caliber on board.
"When Rose came on, I thought, 'Good God, I have to do this right. I have to service this movie correctly," he said. "And I said to (director) Mary (Bronstein), 'Please don't hire me.'"
"She said, 'You're cheap. You're available,'" he joked.
From left, Mary Bronstein, Rose Byrne, Conan O'Brien, Christian Slater and Devika Girish speak onstage at the "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You" screening during the 63rd New York Film Festival on Oct. 2, 2025, in New York City.
But O'Brien, whose previous acting credits have largely been cameos as himself or voiceovers in animated films, said he took preparations for the part seriously.
"The thing that saved me so many times in my life is just prepare, prepare, prepare, work hard, and really put a lot of thought into things," the former "Tonight Show" host said. "And you can't be in a scene with Rose and phone it in or do anything less than your best, because I believe she's one of the best actors alive, period."
George Clooney told 'Jay Kelly' director only '3 people on Earth' could play his role
Byrne delivers a stunning, career-best performance in the film, which stays with Linda from start to finish as the stresses of motherhood risk driving her to madness. The actress, who earned a standing ovation from the festival crowd, said she "devoured" the script but was intimidated after reaching the end and thinking about the task ahead of her.
"I closed the script and thought, 'Oh God, I'm going to have to do this," the actress said. "This is terrifying. I can't (mess) this up."
From left, Rose Byrne, Mary Bronstein, and Conan O'Brien attend the "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You" red carpet during the 63rd New York Film Festival on Oct. 2, 2025, in New York City.
Christian Slater also stars as Linda's husband, though it's primarily a voiceover role, as the character is absent most of the time and simply heard over the phone. "I did phone it in," he quipped before joking, "This is definitely the first time that somebody's not wanted to film me."
Bronstein, who hasn't directed a feature film since 2008's "Yeast," shared that the plot of "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You" was inspired by a real situation where her daughter was ill at a young age and they lived in a motel room together for eight months. "I felt an existential terror," she said. "I felt myself disappearing."
In a unique stylistic choice, the film avoids showing the face of Linda's daughter, even though she is so often present. Bronstein described this as a reflection of how Linda cannot "derive any joy in a normal mother-daughter relationship."
The biggest movie stars are back at New York Film Festival, which kicked off Sept. 26, 2025. Scroll through for all the best moments, starting with George Clooney and Amal Clooney on the red carpet for the premiere of "Jay Kelly."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/XNC5jQZ class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
The biggest movie stars are back at New York Film Festival, which kicked off Sept. 26, 2025. Scroll through for all the best moments, starting with George Clooney and Amal Clooney on the red carpet for the premiere of "Jay Kelly."
">The biggest movie stars are back at New York Film Festival, which kicked off Sept. 26, 2025. Scroll through for all the best moments, starting with George Clooney and Amal Clooney on the red carpet for the premiere of "Jay Kelly."
" src=https://ift.tt/XNC5jQZ class=caas-img>George Clooney clowns with photographer's camera on the red carpet for "Jay Kelly."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6iBSFXf class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
George Clooney clowns with photographer's camera on the red carpet for "Jay Kelly."
">George Clooney clowns with photographer's camera on the red carpet for "Jay Kelly."
" src=https://ift.tt/6iBSFXf class=caas-img>Sunny Sandler (from left), Adam Sandler, Jackie Sandler and Sadie Sandler.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3MFSqeO class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Sunny Sandler (from left), Adam Sandler, Jackie Sandler and Sadie Sandler.
">Sunny Sandler (from left), Adam Sandler, Jackie Sandler and Sadie Sandler.
" src=https://ift.tt/3MFSqeO class=caas-img>George Clooney and Amal Clooney
" data-src=https://ift.tt/36VAEKo class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
George Clooney and Amal Clooney
">George Clooney and Amal Clooney
" src=https://ift.tt/36VAEKo class=caas-img>George Clooney (from left), Noah Baumbach, Laura Dern, Adam Sandler and Billy Crudup.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/lrVK6Lv class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
George Clooney (from left), Noah Baumbach, Laura Dern, Adam Sandler and Billy Crudup.
">George Clooney (from left), Noah Baumbach, Laura Dern, Adam Sandler and Billy Crudup.
" src=https://ift.tt/lrVK6Lv class=caas-img>Laura Dern
" data-src=https://ift.tt/ZxJc8vY class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Laura Dern
">Laura Dern
" src=https://ift.tt/ZxJc8vY class=caas-img>Riley Keough
" data-src=https://ift.tt/YtphQrG class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Riley Keough
">Riley Keough
" src=https://ift.tt/YtphQrG class=caas-img>May Nivola and Alessandro Nivola
" data-src=https://ift.tt/KnQrXNo class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
May Nivola and Alessandro Nivola
">May Nivola and Alessandro Nivola
" src=https://ift.tt/KnQrXNo class=caas-img>Grace Edwards (from left), George Clooney, Patrick Wilson, Riley Keough, Noah Baumbach, Laura Dern, Adam Sandler and Billy Crudup.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/uZSypMl class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Grace Edwards (from left), George Clooney, Patrick Wilson, Riley Keough, Noah Baumbach, Laura Dern, Adam Sandler and Billy Crudup.
">Grace Edwards (from left), George Clooney, Patrick Wilson, Riley Keough, Noah Baumbach, Laura Dern, Adam Sandler and Billy Crudup.
" src=https://ift.tt/uZSypMl class=caas-img>Ethan Hawke attends the "Blue Moon" red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/BnQbT3W class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Ethan Hawke attends the "Blue Moon" red carpet.
">Ethan Hawke attends the "Blue Moon" red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/BnQbT3W class=caas-img>Jeremy Allen White and Bruce Springsteen on the red carpet for "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/VGUF7od class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Jeremy Allen White and Bruce Springsteen on the red carpet for "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere."
">Jeremy Allen White and Bruce Springsteen on the red carpet for "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere."
" src=https://ift.tt/VGUF7od class=caas-img>Matthew Anthony Pellicano (left), who plays a young Bruce, and Jeremy Allen White.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FLUafYe class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Matthew Anthony Pellicano (left), who plays a young Bruce, and Jeremy Allen White.
">Matthew Anthony Pellicano (left), who plays a young Bruce, and Jeremy Allen White.
" src=https://ift.tt/FLUafYe class=caas-img>Jeremy Allen White (left) shares a hug with Bruce Springsteen.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/rQ0iBTy class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Jeremy Allen White (left) shares a hug with Bruce Springsteen.
">Jeremy Allen White (left) shares a hug with Bruce Springsteen.
" src=https://ift.tt/rQ0iBTy class=caas-img>Bruce Springsteen and Jon Landau
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Bk4iLS9 class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Bruce Springsteen and Jon Landau
">Bruce Springsteen and Jon Landau
" src=https://ift.tt/Bk4iLS9 class=caas-img>Jeremy Allen White
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4T7u5B9 class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Jeremy Allen White
">Jeremy Allen White
" src=https://ift.tt/4T7u5B9 class=caas-img>Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong
" data-src=https://ift.tt/IRS7FXY class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong
">Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong
" src=https://ift.tt/IRS7FXY class=caas-img>Stephen Graham (from left), Scott Cooper, Jeremy Allen White and Odessa Young.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/bKpLWkN class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Stephen Graham (from left), Scott Cooper, Jeremy Allen White and Odessa Young.
">Stephen Graham (from left), Scott Cooper, Jeremy Allen White and Odessa Young.
" src=https://ift.tt/bKpLWkN class=caas-img>Steven Van Zandt (from left), Maureen Van Zandt and Johnny Cannizzaro.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/S3DtKQB class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Steven Van Zandt (from left), Maureen Van Zandt and Johnny Cannizzaro.
">Steven Van Zandt (from left), Maureen Van Zandt and Johnny Cannizzaro.
" src=https://ift.tt/S3DtKQB class=caas-img>Bruce Springsteen
" data-src=https://ift.tt/buyWC0Z class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Bruce Springsteen
">Bruce Springsteen
" src=https://ift.tt/buyWC0Z class=caas-img>Jeremy Strong and Emma Wall
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4QenzAt class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Jeremy Strong and Emma Wall
">Jeremy Strong and Emma Wall
" src=https://ift.tt/4QenzAt class=caas-img>Bruce Springsteen performs after the "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere" screening.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Tf6Jv2Q class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Bruce Springsteen performs after the "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere" screening.
">Bruce Springsteen performs after the "Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere" screening.
" src=https://ift.tt/Tf6Jv2Q class=caas-img>Idris Elba and Isan Elba attend the red carpet for "A House of Dynamite."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/3r4VQd1 class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Idris Elba and Isan Elba attend the red carpet for "A House of Dynamite."
">Idris Elba and Isan Elba attend the red carpet for "A House of Dynamite."
" src=https://ift.tt/3r4VQd1 class=caas-img>Tracy Letts and Carrie Coon
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6GjXBbq class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Tracy Letts and Carrie Coon
">Tracy Letts and Carrie Coon
" src=https://ift.tt/6GjXBbq class=caas-img>Greta Lee
" data-src=https://ift.tt/BbOTA67 class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Greta Lee
">Greta Lee
" src=https://ift.tt/BbOTA67 class=caas-img>Angel Reese
" data-src=https://ift.tt/qZSBxLc class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Angel Reese
">Angel Reese
" src=https://ift.tt/qZSBxLc class=caas-img>Ronan Day-Lewis (left) and dad Daniel Day-Lewis on the "Anemone" red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NeUuzYv class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Ronan Day-Lewis (left) and dad Daniel Day-Lewis on the "Anemone" red carpet.
">Ronan Day-Lewis (left) and dad Daniel Day-Lewis on the "Anemone" red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/NeUuzYv class=caas-img>Daniel Day-Lewis and Rebecca Miller
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NxzCBFV class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Daniel Day-Lewis and Rebecca Miller
">Daniel Day-Lewis and Rebecca Miller
" src=https://ift.tt/NxzCBFV class=caas-img>"Anemone" director Ronan Day-Lewis introduces the film's Q&A.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/o2mJ3ud class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
"Anemone" director Ronan Day-Lewis introduces the film's Q&A.
">"Anemone" director Ronan Day-Lewis introduces the film's Q&A.
" src=https://ift.tt/o2mJ3ud class=caas-img>Syrlucia Esposito (left) and Giancarlo Esposito
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yAxGSln class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Syrlucia Esposito (left) and Giancarlo Esposito
">Syrlucia Esposito (left) and Giancarlo Esposito
" src=https://ift.tt/yAxGSln class=caas-img>Ethan Hawke attends the Talk: Ethan Hawke & Willem Dafoe panel.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0ZEtGYO class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Ethan Hawke attends the Talk: Ethan Hawke & Willem Dafoe panel.
">Ethan Hawke attends the Talk: Ethan Hawke & Willem Dafoe panel.
" src=https://ift.tt/0ZEtGYO class=caas-img>Willem Dafoe attends the Talk: Ethan Hawke & Willem Dafoe panel.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/WDkaqV0 class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Willem Dafoe attends the Talk: Ethan Hawke & Willem Dafoe panel.
">Willem Dafoe attends the Talk: Ethan Hawke & Willem Dafoe panel.
" src=https://ift.tt/WDkaqV0 class=caas-img>Daniel Day-Lewis smiles during the "Anemone" press conference.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/VwUXrlp class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Daniel Day-Lewis smiles during the "Anemone" press conference.
">Daniel Day-Lewis smiles during the "Anemone" press conference.
" src=https://ift.tt/VwUXrlp class=caas-img>Daniel Day-Lewis speaks during the "Anemone" press conference.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/L4iD9E8 class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Daniel Day-Lewis speaks during the "Anemone" press conference.
">Daniel Day-Lewis speaks during the "Anemone" press conference.
" src=https://ift.tt/L4iD9E8 class=caas-img>From left: Dennis Lim, Ronan Day-Lewis, Sean Bean and Daniel Day-Lewis.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/jwaV8rh class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
From left: Dennis Lim, Ronan Day-Lewis, Sean Bean and Daniel Day-Lewis.
">From left: Dennis Lim, Ronan Day-Lewis, Sean Bean and Daniel Day-Lewis.
" src=https://ift.tt/jwaV8rh class=caas-img>Ronan Day-Lewis
" data-src=https://ift.tt/eboHD2J class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Ronan Day-Lewis
">Ronan Day-Lewis
" src=https://ift.tt/eboHD2J class=caas-img>Earlier in the day, Julia Roberts joined her "After The Hunt" costars at a press conference.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/6bS1jtg class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Earlier in the day, Julia Roberts joined her "After The Hunt" costars at a press conference.
">Earlier in the day, Julia Roberts joined her "After The Hunt" costars at a press conference.
" src=https://ift.tt/6bS1jtg class=caas-img>Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield
" data-src=https://ift.tt/CyxktJY class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield
">Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield
" src=https://ift.tt/CyxktJY class=caas-img>Ayo Edebiri
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2K5Itxy class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Ayo Edebiri
">Ayo Edebiri
" src=https://ift.tt/2K5Itxy class=caas-img>From left: Andrew Garfield, Julia Roberts, Luca Guadagnino, Ayo Edebiri, Nora Garrett and Michael Stuhlbarg.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NHZ1hJO class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
From left: Andrew Garfield, Julia Roberts, Luca Guadagnino, Ayo Edebiri, Nora Garrett and Michael Stuhlbarg.
">From left: Andrew Garfield, Julia Roberts, Luca Guadagnino, Ayo Edebiri, Nora Garrett and Michael Stuhlbarg.
" src=https://ift.tt/NHZ1hJO class=caas-img>From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Michael Stuhlbarg and Nora Garrett.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/d9KMXTw class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Michael Stuhlbarg and Nora Garrett.
">From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Michael Stuhlbarg and Nora Garrett.
" src=https://ift.tt/d9KMXTw class=caas-img>From left: Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/1RFDZKE class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
From left: Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri.
">From left: Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield and Ayo Edebiri.
" src=https://ift.tt/1RFDZKE class=caas-img>From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/iXN2M8C class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield.
">From left: Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield.
" src=https://ift.tt/iXN2M8C class=caas-img>Julia Roberts' niece, fellow actress Emma Roberts, was all smiles on the "After The Hunt" red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/IzoJVcN class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Julia Roberts' niece, fellow actress Emma Roberts, was all smiles on the "After The Hunt" red carpet.
">Julia Roberts' niece, fellow actress Emma Roberts, was all smiles on the "After The Hunt" red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/IzoJVcN class=caas-img>Emma Roberts
" data-src=https://ift.tt/LdsOzpY class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Emma Roberts
">Emma Roberts
" src=https://ift.tt/LdsOzpY class=caas-img>Ariyan Kassam
" data-src=https://ift.tt/qAzF4uM class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Ariyan Kassam
">Ariyan Kassam
" src=https://ift.tt/qAzF4uM class=caas-img>Andy Cohen attends the "After The Hunt" red carpet.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/e6IldWM class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Andy Cohen attends the "After The Hunt" red carpet.
">Andy Cohen attends the "After The Hunt" red carpet.
" src=https://ift.tt/e6IldWM class=caas-img>Courtenay Valenti, Luca Guadagnino, Sue Kroll and Julie Rappaport.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yIafw3U class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Courtenay Valenti, Luca Guadagnino, Sue Kroll and Julie Rappaport.
">Courtenay Valenti, Luca Guadagnino, Sue Kroll and Julie Rappaport.
" src=https://ift.tt/yIafw3U class=caas-img>Will Price, Stefano Baisi, Nora Garrett, Luca Guadagnino, Lio Mehiel and Malik Hassan Sayeed.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/uUxjIoF class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Will Price, Stefano Baisi, Nora Garrett, Luca Guadagnino, Lio Mehiel and Malik Hassan Sayeed.
">Will Price, Stefano Baisi, Nora Garrett, Luca Guadagnino, Lio Mehiel and Malik Hassan Sayeed.
" src=https://ift.tt/uUxjIoF class=caas-img>Allan Mandelbaum, Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri and Andrew Garfield at the "After the Hunt" Q&A.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/GjKk03R class=caas-img data-headline="See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival" data-caption="
Allan Mandelbaum, Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri and Andrew Garfield at the "After the Hunt" Q&A.
">Allan Mandelbaum, Luca Guadagnino, Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri and Andrew Garfield at the "After the Hunt" Q&A.
" src=https://ift.tt/GjKk03R class=caas-img>
1 / 49See George Clooney, Adam Sandler, more stars at New York Film Festival
The biggest movie stars are back at New York Film Festival, which kicked off Sept. 26, 2025. Scroll through for all the best moments, starting with George Clooney and Amal Clooney on the red carpet for the premiere of "Jay Kelly."
As the film progresses, everything that can go wrong does seem to go wrong for Linda, who is constantly on the verge of a breakdown while dealing with big issues like her child's illness to smaller problems like a nightmare pet hamster.
Before the screening, Bronstein asked the audience to think of "the worst thing that's ever happened to you in your entire life," then think of "the worst thing that happened to you today," and described the movie as a collision of both kinds of things.
"When we have something so gargantuan that's happening to us, all the little things start adding up so that they start to feel equal," she later explained in the Q&A.
The film maintains a dream-like reality throughout and isn't afraid to keep things ambiguous, which O'Brien argued is to its credit. "Everyone I have any relationship with who has seen this has insisted on speaking to me afterwards and has a lot of questions," he said. Case in point: He recalled his costar A$AP Rocky, who plays the superintendent of Linda's motel, engaging him in a conversation about what a particular scene means at another recent screening.
"We're about to come up on stage, and A$AP Rocky is asking me what do I think about a scene, and what do I think is happening," he recalled. "... He wants to talk about it, and he's in the movie! So I think that's a testament to what this is. Movies like this are a rarity."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Conan O'Brien talks first dramatic acting role at NYFF
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