USA | Italy |France | Ireland | Germany | UK 2025
Opening February 26, 2026
Directed by: Jim Jarmusch
Writing credits: Jim Jarmusch
Principal actors: Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Indya Moore, Luka Sabbat
Father Mother Sister Brother is the latest drama-comedy by Jim Jarmusch who both wrote and directed this poetic anthology. The movie consists of three independent stories that center around siblings who have not seen each other in a while and are reconnecting during a family visit to their respective parents’ home.
In the first chapter a brother (Adam Driver) and sister (Mayim Bialik) drive up to their father’s (Tom Waits) home for a visit. During their car ride it becomes apparent that they have not been in touch recently and they both have a different approach of dealing with their father. The awkwardness of the encounter is tangible. The second chapter is set in Dublin where two sisters, who are brilliantly portrayed by Cate Blanchett and Vicky Krieps, are on their way to their yearly afternoon tea meeting with their mother (Charlotte Rampling) who seems quite detached from them. She is the one who intends to see her daughters no more than once per year as she discusses with her therapist in the beginning of the scene. In the last chapter a twin brother (Luka Sabbat) and sister (Indya Moore) grapple with the aftermath of their parents passing and visit their apartment in Paris for one last time.
The film does not feature many songs, and the lack thereof makes certain silences even more poignant and intentionally awkward at times. Repeating themes and phrases throughout the chapters gently link them to each other and form a common threat. There is sadness in the disconnect between the siblings and their seemingly emotionally unavailable parents as well as beauty in them reconnecting with each other during their encounters. The wit and comedic timing in the dialogue adds a lightness to the film. While diving into family dynamics can be a charged topic, Jim Jarmusch manages to do so in a funny and poetic manner in Father Mother Sister Brother. (Sabrina F.)