If you've missed the deadpan wit and poetic stillness of a Jim Jarmusch film, your wait is officially over. After six long years of cinematic silence, the indie icon is back in full swing with Father Mother Sister Brother—a powerful, melancholic, and at times slyly funny film that delves deep into the emotional terrain of adult children revisiting their pasts, their parents, and themselves.
The film is already drawing serious buzz, kicking off its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival before making its highly-anticipated North American debut as the Centerpiece screening at the 2025 New York Film Festival (NYFF63). And if you’re hoping to catch it at Telluride or TIFF—sorry, this MUBI release is skipping those stops entirely.
Yep, Jarmusch fans, this one’s a festival-limited affair—for now.
🌀 A Story Told in Three Parts, Three Countries, One Emotionally Resonant Core
Let’s talk structure. Father Mother Sister Brother is broken into three intimate chapters, all grounded in the present day. Each story centers on adult children navigating their complicated relationships with their aging—or deceased—parents. These tales unfold in three different corners of the world: the United States, Paris, and Ireland.
In New Jersey, siblings Jeff and Emily—played by longtime Jarmusch muse Adam Driver and the ever-versatile Mayim Bialik—return home to check in on their reclusive and possibly unwell father, portrayed by the legendary Tom Waits.
Across the Atlantic in Dublin, estranged sisters Lilith and Timothea—played by Vicky Krieps and Cate Blanchett—reconnect with their once-famous novelist mother (Charlotte Rampling), who’s now living a more reserved life in Ireland’s green gloom.
And finally, the most youthful and modern segment: Paris, where twins Skye and Billy (played by Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat) come face to face with an unresolved family tragedy in the apartment where it all happened.
Each story brings its own flavor—bittersweet, brooding, oddly funny—and is stitched together with the kind of poetic minimalism only Jarmusch can pull off.
🎬 A Film That’s an “Anti-Action” Flick—In the Best Way
Jim Jarmusch has famously referred to Father Mother Sister Brother as an “anti-action film.” It’s a quiet, contemplative work that leans more on mood than momentum, emotion over explosions. But don’t mistake the lack of car chases for a lack of impact—this is storytelling that hits like a whisper you never forget.
Whether it's the awkward silences between siblings or the heavy pause before a parent says something they’ve held in for years, the stillness in this movie speaks volumes.
⭐ An Ensemble for the Ages
And let’s not gloss over that incredible ensemble. The cast reads like a dream list of international and indie film royalty:
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Tom Waits
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Adam Driver
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Mayim Bialik
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Cate Blanchett
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Charlotte Rampling
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Vicky Krieps
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Indya Moore
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Luka Sabbat
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Sarah Greene
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Françoise Lebrun
You’ve got Jarmusch veterans and fresh blood sharing the screen—each one adding their own depth and nuance. With cinematography handled by the iconic Frederick Elmes (a Jarmusch regular) and Yorick Le Saux (Call Me By Your Name), and editing from Affonso Gonçalves (Carol, A Chiara), this isn’t just a well-acted film—it’s a technically elegant one too.
🎞️ NYFF: The Chosen Church of Jarmusch
For Jarmusch, returning to the New York Film Festival is more than a career move—it’s a spiritual homecoming.
“I am so very proud of the long history of my work being presented at the NYFF,” Jarmusch said. “And am now super honored that my newest film Father Mother Sister Brother has been selected for this year’s Centerpiece. The NYFF, the chosen church of my religion, has provided many of my greatest inspirations and revelations in its continuing celebration of the deep and diverse beauty of cinema.”
That’s not just filmmaker PR fluff—it’s straight from the soul. Jarmusch has a long, beautiful relationship with the festival, dating back to Stranger Than Paradise, Down By Law, Only Lovers Left Alive, and more. Oh, and let’s not forget he designed the NYFF poster in 2023. He’s not just a guest; he’s family.
🗓️ Important Dates and Festival Buzz
The 63rd New York Film Festival (NYFF63) runs from September 26 to October 13, and Jarmusch’s film takes center stage on October 3, at the prestigious Alice Tully Hall.
The festival, presented by Film at Lincoln Center, is shaping up to be one for the books. As previously announced, it will open with the North American premiere of Luca Guadagnino’s “After the Hunt.”
In a statement, Dennis Lim, NYFF’s Artistic Director, couldn’t contain his excitement:
“Jim Jarmusch’s new movie is not just one of his very best—it distills everything we have come to love and value about this singular filmmaker’s work into one glorious triptych. Father Mother Sister Brother is wise, generous, slyly funny, and enormously moving.”
The Main Slate committee is packed with seasoned curators including Florence Almozini, Justin Chang, K. Austin Collins, and Rachel Rosen, with Lim chairing the team. Expect more titles in the coming weeks across categories like Spotlight, Currents, Revivals, and Talks.
🎸 Wait—Did You Know Jarmusch Is Also a Rocker?
Just when you thought Jarmusch couldn’t get any cooler—he’s not just a filmmaker. He records and performs music with his band SQÜRL and often collaborates with lutenist Jozef Van Wissem. So yeah, you’re watching the work of a man who breathes creativity through every pore.
💬 Final Thoughts: This One’s Gonna Be Special
In an age where films seem increasingly obsessed with spectacle, Father Mother Sister Brother arrives like a cup of warm tea on a rainy afternoon. It’s introspective. It's artistic. It's very, very Jarmusch.
So mark your calendars. This is one of those rare films that lingers, that haunts you long after the credits roll. And if you can snag a seat at NYFF on October 3, you’re in for something quietly unforgettable.
Stay tuned as more of the NYFF63 lineup gets announced—because if this is the centerpiece, we can only imagine what else is coming.
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