Three stories concerning the relationships between adult children, their somewhat distant parent (or parents), and each other: a reclusive father visited by his grown children in the US, sisters visiting their novelist mother in Dublin, and adult twins called back to their Paris apartment to address a family tragedy.
Critics' Reviews
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The film is split into three chapters, each looking at a different fractured family coming together for a social occasion. The first, set in New Jersey and titled “Father,” follows bougie sister and brother Emily (Mayim Bialik) and Jeff (Adam Driver) as they drive through the countryside on an overdue sojourn to the home of their eccentric father (Tom Waits), a mysterious scammer introduced messing up his place with piles of books and clothes before their arrival, playing up his financial need for ever-obliging beloved son Jeff (to Emily’s chagrin), only to gussy up his wardrobe and demeanour for a date the moment his offspring leave. Jeff’s outburst after the visit that “You can’t choose your family”–a truism he reassures Emily does not refer to her–is underlined in the Dublin-set second chapter, “Mother,” where we meet a wealthy author (Charlotte Rampling) as she lounges on an elegant couch flanked on either side by photos of her arrested adult daughters, Tim (Cate Blanchett), looking buttoned-up and proper, and Lil (Vicky Krieps), looking a bit scrappy with her pink hair and playful attire–supplied, as is true of the entire cast, by fashion house Yves Saint Laurent, whose Saint Laurent Productions put up up the funds along with a score of international partners. Arriving in a broken-down car, in Tim’s case, and a friend’s ride posing as an Uber, in Lil’s, the sisters intersect at their mother’s for their yearly tea date, where they passive aggressively brag about their professional accomplishments–Tim receiving a promotion onto a heritage board and the under-employed influencer Lil accruing a host of new followers for whatever woo-woo community she’s cultivated online. The sisters’ strained relations find their opposite in the warm, loving bond between the siblings in the final, Paris-rooted section, “Sister Brother,” in which fraternal twins Skye (Indya Moore) and Billy (Luke Sabbat) meet in the family Volvo to visit the emptied home of their recently deceased parents, looking through their effects one last time before deciding what to take, what to discard, and what to leave in storage.
Full Cast of Father Mother Sister Brother
Charlotte Rampling
Mother
Fans of Charlotte Rampling will appreciate her role in 'Father Mother Sister Brother' as it showcases her signature ability to convey deep emotional complexity with subtlety and nuance, much like her most iconic performance in 'The Night Porter' where she masterfully explored themes of trauma and memory. In this movie, she portrays a character grappling with family dynamics in a restrained yet powerful way, offering a fresh, intimate perspective compared to her more intense earlier roles. An interesting detail about her casting is that Rampling was drawn to the film because it presented her with the rare opportunity to work closely in a multicultural ensemble, adding layers to her portrayal through the interplay of diverse cultural backgrounds.
Tom Waits
Father
Fans of Tom Waits will find his role in "Father Mother Sister Brother" compelling because, much like his iconic performances where his gravelly voice and rugged persona emphasize his characters' depth and resilience, here he portrays a similarly complex figure that blends vulnerability with a hard-edged exterior. Unlike his most iconic roles, often marked by a solitary, nomadic character, in this film he delves into a more connected and emotionally nuanced family role. An intriguing and unexpected detail about his casting is that Waits improvised several scenes, infusing his unique musical rhythm into the dialogue, which enriched his character's authenticity and left a lasting impression on the film's tone.
Cate Blanchett
Timothea
Fans of Cate Blanchett will appreciate her subtle yet intense performance in 'Father Mother Sister Brother,' where she explores a complex family dynamic with emotional depth and nuance. This role contrasts with her most iconic performance as Queen Elizabeth I in 'Elizabeth,' showcasing her versatility by moving from regal grandeur to intimate, grounded storytelling. An interesting detail is that Blanchett initially hesitated to take the role because it demanded she perform extensive dialogue in a foreign accent, which she mastered after weeks of dedicated coaching.
Mayim Bialik
Emily
Mayim Bialik delivers a compelling performance as Emily in "Father Mother Sister Brother," showcasing her ability to bring depth and nuance to emotionally complex characters. Unlike her well-known role as Amy Farrah Fowler on "The Big Bang Theory," where her comedic timing shines, here she embraces a more dramatic and introspective portrayal, demonstrating her versatility as an actress. A notable trivia fact is that Mayim holds a PhD in neuroscience, which adds an interesting layer to her often intellectual and thoughtful character interpretations.
Sarah Greene
Jeanette
In 'Father Mother Sister Brother,' Sarah Greene delivers a compelling portrayal of Jeanette, capturing the character's emotional complexity with nuanced subtlety and sincerity. Compared to her previous roles, such as her dynamic performance in 'Penny Dreadful' where she embraced gothic intensity, Greene's role as Jeanette showcases her ability to embody vulnerable and grounded characters, highlighting her versatile acting range. A trivia fact: Sarah Greene originally trained in musical theatre before transitioning primarily to dramatic roles, a background that informs her expressive presence on screen.
Adam Driver
Jeff
Adam Driver starred in the movie 'Father Mother Sister Brother,' delivering a nuanced and emotionally compelling performance that was widely praised by critics. His ability to embody complex family dynamics with subtlety and depth made his portrayal stand out, adding a profound layer to the film's exploration of interpersonal relationships. One unique aspect of his performance was his commitment to authentically representing the character's cultural background, which involved extensive research and thoughtful preparation. A lesser-known fact is that during filming, Driver collaborated closely with the director to incorporate improvisational scenes, some of which made it into the final cut, enhancing the naturalistic feel of the movie.
Crew of Father Mother Sister Brother
Full backstage crew list →- Released December 01, 2025