Film Review: Father Mother Sister Brother

Movie Number 15 of 2026

The Movie: Father Mother Sister Brother

The Cinema: Palace Cinemas Balwyn

Runtime: One hour 50 minutes

Stars: 4 (with a caveat)

We came out of this tonight and Jay says, "That was weird," while scrunching up her nose. That's Jay for she didn't rate it. 

"I loved it. Have you not seen any Jim Jarmusch before?" I asked. 

"I don't think so."

"Well, there you go then."

I really liked this film. I also like Jim Jarmusch's films. And yes, they are strange, but it is their strangeness, and sadness and relatability which I love. 

Is this as good as his wonderful Night on Earth? No, but I love the subtlety and the twists with this film of three parts. Jarmusch is good at setting his movies across countries, using similar props and themes. Father Mother Sister Brother is no different.                                                           

Imdb.com describes the plots of the three vignettes as such: "Estranged siblings reunite after years apart, forced to confront unresolved tensions and reevaluate their strained relationships with their emotionally distant parents".

In the Father section, Jeff (Adam Driver) and Emily (Mayim Bialik) visit their ailing father (Tom Waits) in his rural New Jersey home. None of them want the visit to happen. It's been a while and from the visit, they can see that their father is not doing that well. The twist at the end of this is a chef's kiss. 

In the Mother section, located in a nice part of Dublin,  Charlotte Rampling waits for her daughters Timothea (Cate Blanchett) and Lilith (Vicky Krieps) to arrive for their annual high tea. They love each other - sure, but it's what's not said that speaks volumes. 

In the third section - Sister Brother - set in Paris, twins Skye (Indya Moore) and William (Luka Sabbat) reunite to say goodbye to their parents' flat after their untimely deaths. Of the three stories, the twins' relationship feels the most functional. 

Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, it's just his style. The stripped back script, the quirky humour, the repeated themes - skateboarders, a Rolex, a blue car, water - it's the little things that make this film. 

If you're not into arthouse cinema, you're not going to love this. For me - it was just what I wanted and needed. Subtle, fun, surprising and a script that keeps you guessing. Just my cup of tea. 

Today's song: