Why Rose Byrne Should Win Best Actress at the 2026 Oscars

Let’s get right to it: Rose Byrne deserves the Best Actress award at the upcoming 2026 Oscars.

Sure, Jesse Buckley has already snagged a Golden Globe for her role in Hamnet, where she portrays a grieving mother in a Shakespearean drama. And, to be honest, she was impressive. But, hold on—

Voting doesn’t kick off until late February. This important detail means there’s still time for Academy members to catch up on Byrne’s standout performance in the dark comedy-drama If I Had Legs I Would Kick You, which is streaming now. While Buckley was great, Byrne’s role as a mother on the brink of losing her sanity is compelling enough to earn serious Oscar recognition.

Directed by Mary Bronstein, best known for her indie hit Yeast, If I Had Legs I Would Kick You features Byrne as Linda, a mother overwhelmed by her seriously ill daughter, who relies on a feeding tube. It’s unclear what exactly is wrong, and we never see the daughter’s face, but her struggles with eating are palpable. With her husband, Christian Slater, off on a long business trip and construction chaos at home, Linda’s mental health takes a swift nosedive.

Byrne and Buckley are both up for Oscars, and it’s interesting to note how their characters represent different sides of motherhood. Buckley portrays the archetypal, self-sacrificing mom—a loving figure who dedicates herself entirely to her children. This traditional portrayal fits the somber tale of Agnes Hathaway, based on Shakespeare’s wife, whose world revolves around her kids.

However, the narrative Byrne’s character navigates feels fresher. Linda openly grapples with the more complex and sometimes taboo aspects of motherhood. It’s evident that she’s not the perfect mother; her weaknesses are illuminated when she leaves her child unattended in a hotel room. Yet, there’s a sense of empathy for her plight. Her daughter isn’t that angelic child—on the contrary, she’s demanding and can be quite a burden.

At one point, Linda expresses regret about motherhood—expressing those unspeakable thoughts to her therapist, portrayed with surprising bluntness by Conan O’Brien. She questions her suitability for parenting and wonders if some past decisions, like an abortion, are coming back to haunt her.

But let’s not confuse her regrets with a lack of love for her child. That affection shines through in small moments, whether it’s laughing off her daughter’s pickiness or silly games to elicit laughter. Even at her lowest, Linda’s desire to be a better mother is evident.

Bronstein’s sharp writing combined with Byrne’s raw performance showcases Linda’s struggles—her anger, her guilt, and yes, her bitterness. The emotional weight is clear: she’s not behaving as society expects. Mothers are often viewed as selfless, loving figures who shouldn’t admit to the burdens that come with parenting.

While Buckley’s portrayal in Hamnet is undeniably impactful, it’s Byrne’s performance that offers a new lens on motherhood. If she were to win the Oscar, it wouldn’t just be a personal triumph; it would validate the feelings of many mothers battling similar emotions.