Jim Jarmusch’s new film Father Mother Sister Brother brings together a star-filled cast to tell stories about family. The movie had its first show at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2025. It will open in U.S. theaters on December 24, 2025. This comedy-drama anthology looks at the often awkward and funny relationships between parents and their adult children. The film is distributed by Mubi and runs for 110 minutes.
The movie is structured in three parts. Each part takes place in a different country and focuses on a different family. Jarmusch uses this format to explore universal experiences. The film features well-known actors like Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver, and Tom Waits. It also includes talented performers such as Vicky Krieps and Mayim Bialik.
Full Cast And Character List
The ensemble cast is one of the film’s biggest strengths. Jim Jarmusch has gathered actors from his previous films and new collaborators. Each actor plays a unique character in one of the three stories.
Cate Blanchett plays Timothea, one of two sisters visiting their mother in Dublin. Blanchett is a highly acclaimed actor known for films like Tár and Carol. Vicky Krieps plays her sister Lilith. Krieps gained fame for her role in Phantom Thread.
Adam Driver plays Jeff, a man visiting his father in rural New Jersey. Driver is known for his roles in Marriage Story and the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Mayim Bialik plays his sister Emily. Bialik is famous for her television work on The Big Bang Theory.
Tom Waits plays the Father in the first story. Waits is a frequent collaborator with Jarmusch. Charlotte Rampling plays the Mother in the second story. She is a legendary actor known for her work in European cinema.
Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat play twins Skye and Billy in the third story. They are cleaning out their deceased parents’ apartment in Paris. Moore is known for the TV series Pose. Sabbat is a model and actor.
Sarah Greene plays Jeanette, Lilith’s girlfriend. Greene is an Irish actor known for Normal People. Françoise Lebrun plays Madame Gautier, the concierge. Lebrun is a French actor with a long career.
Jim Jarmusch has always been focused on having a strong grasp on the culture and how it functions, and he’s certainly never avoided building films around familiar concepts .
What The Movie Is About
Father Mother Sister Brother is a triptych. This means it has three separate stories. Each story deals with grown children reconnecting with estranged parents or dealing with their loss.
The first chapter, called “Father,” is set in rural New Jersey. Siblings Jeff and Emily visit their father. He lives alone in a secluded lakeside house. The visit is filled with awkward silences and funny moments. Their father might be hiding his true financial situation.
The second chapter, “Mother,” is set in Dublin. Sisters Timothea and Lilith visit their mother for an annual tea. Their mother is a successful author. The daughters feel intimidated and struggle to connect with her. They also compete with each other.
The third chapter, “Sister Brother,” is set in Paris. Twins Skye and Billy sort through their parents’ belongings after their sudden death. They discover secrets about their parents they never knew. This part is more reflective and emotional.
The movie is a triptych, with three pairs of grown-up children reconnecting or attempting to with estranged parents in remote areas of the globe .
Behind The Scenes And Production Details
Jim Jarmusch both wrote and directed the film. He is known for his unique style in independent films like Paterson and Coffee and Cigarettes. The movie is produced by several companies, including Saint Laurent Productions and CG Cinéma.
The cinematography was handled by Frederick Elmes and Yorick Le Saux. Elmes has worked with Jarmusch before. Le Saux is known for his work on Poor Things. The editor was Affonso Gonçalves. Jarmusch himself composed the music with Anika.
Filming started in November 2023 in West Milford, New Jersey. It then moved to Dublin in early 2024. The production wrapped in Paris later that year. The film is a truly international project.
Principal photography began in November 2023 in West Milford, New Jersey. Filming took place in Dublin in early 2024. Filming wrapped in Paris in early 2024 .
Early Reviews And Reception
The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Early reviews are very positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 100% score based on 11 reviews. The average rating is 7.4/10. On Metacritic, it has a score of 82 out of 100, indicating universal acclaim.
Critics praise the film’s gentle humor and its look at family dynamics. They note the excellent performances from the entire cast. The quiet and awkward moments in the film are seen as strengths. Some reviewers feel the third story is less strong than the first two.
The entire film is essentially a series of conversations, taking place in cars, around tables or gathered on couches, which serve as the stage for these lovably uncomfortable interactions .
The movie is seen as a return to Jarmusch’s earlier style. It is compared to his films like Stranger Than Paradise and Night on Earth. Fans of his work will likely enjoy this new offering.
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Credits: NextBestPicture
