If your social media feed looks a little more “jammy merlot” than usual today, you can thank legendary director Jim Jarmusch. His new film, “Father Mother Sister Brother,” is officially in theaters, and it’s sparking a massive online conversation about one very specific detail: the color red.
The film features a powerhouse cast—including Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett, and Charlotte Rampling—all sporting a throughline of deep crimson. But what has really set TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) ablaze is the revelation that every single item of clothing, even the most “mundane” pieces, was custom-made by the iconic French fashion house Saint Laurent.
The Mystery of the Merlot
According to costume designer Catherine George, the red theme came directly from Jarmusch himself. “In the last few years, he’s been seeing colors in a different way,” George shared, noting that red specifically looks different to the director than it used to.
This vision resulted in a film where three separate stories—set in New York, Dublin, and Paris—are tied together by a “red and pink combination” that feels both intentional and incredibly chic. On social media, fans are calling the aesthetic “Merlot-core,” with many trying to replicate the rich, moody tones of the wardrobe.
Tom Waits and the “Couture” Hoodie
The most viral moment from the wardrobe breakdown involves music and acting legend Tom Waits. Playing an eccentric, solitary father in rural New York, Waits spends much of the film in what looks like a lived-in, everyday hoodie.
However, the internet is losing it over the fact that even this “penniless father” look was a Saint Laurent original. Originally, George and the team had planned a dressing gown for Waits, but the star “wasn’t quite feeling it.” When he showed up to his fitting in his own hoodie, they decided to pivot—having YSL craft a custom version with a subtle burgundy lining.
“Even the drab hoodie got a subtle burgundy lining,” George revealed. To make the luxury pieces look authentic for a man living in a cabin, the team actually “aged” the Saint Laurent gear, washing it repeatedly to make it look perfectly worn-in.
Cate Blanchett’s “Uptight” Aesthetic
In the film’s second segment, Cate Blanchett plays a “frankly uptight” daughter visiting her novelist mother (Charlotte Rampling). Her wardrobe is a masterclass in “buttoned-up” style, featuring an oxford shirt layered over a burgundy turtleneck.
“A whole red sweater would have been too much,” George explained, noting that the layering added to the character’s stiff persona. Rampling’s character even calls out the “accidentally color-coordinated” looks in the film, an awkward moment that has already become a favorite clip for fans online.
Natural Spirit in Paris
The final segment takes us to Paris with Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat playing twin siblings. Their look is more naturalistic and free-spirited, featuring matching biker jackets that have fashionistas everywhere taking notes.
“They’re twins and they have some kind of psychic messaging system,” George said of the pair. While Sabbat keeps it classic in an “iconic” white T-shirt, Moore’s red tank top was actually based on a piece George personally owned—reimagined, of course, by the Saint Laurent team.
Whether you’re there for the family drama or the high-fashion Easter eggs, “Father Mother Sister Brother” is proving that in Jarmusch’s world, even a basic sweatshirt is a work of art.
What’s your favorite “merlot” moment from the film? Sound off in the comments!
