Cinecism: The Crisis of Millennial Parenting in ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’

February 18, 2026 - 04:05

A striking theme emerged across the cinematic landscape of 2025, one that critics are identifying as a defining anxiety of our era: the profound crisis of parenting in a world that feels increasingly devoid of a future. This pervasive dread found its most potent and unsettling expression in the year's standout film, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.

The movie moves beyond simple family drama to tap into a deeper, generational horror. It portrays the paralyzing dilemma faced by many millennial parents, who grapple with the ethical weight of bringing up children against a backdrop of climate uncertainty, political instability, and societal fracture. The film’s power lies not in overt spectacle, but in its intimate portrayal of domestic life strained by unspoken existential fears.

Through its harrowing narrative, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You holds up a dark mirror to contemporary anxieties. It questions the very foundations of care and nurture when the horizon seems to promise not opportunity, but collapse. This focus has cemented the film's status as a cultural touchstone, a work that brilliantly and brutally captures the specific terrors of parenting in this modern age, making it one of the most discussed and impactful releases of the year.