Gen Z recreates Wes Anderson movies in new TikTok trend

There’s something other worldly about Wes Anderson’s distinctive movie style that transports you to another time – and TikTok creators can’t get enough of it.

The video-sharing app has been flooded with millions of clips mimicking the filmmaker’s signature symmetrical framing and color palette.

In fact on TikTok, the Wes Anderson hashtag has garnered more than 582.5 million views at the time of writing.

His use of high saturation also adds to the whimsical nature of his critically acclaimed movies, which include The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Darjeeling Limited and Moonrise Kingdom – just to name a few.

Sisters Thali and Gabi, from Brazil, uploaded a video mimicking Wes Anderson’s style

An example of the symmetrical framing that Anderson uses from the movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel, starring Owen Wilson (center)

LA director Josh Rimmey also turned his hand at recreating the trend, with the Wes Anderson hashtag garnering more than 582.5 million views at the time of writing 

His top-down shot of his woodworking tools is similar to this scene from The Grand Budapest Hotel

TikTok creators have been using the hallmarks of an Anderson movie – such as his use of title cards to introduce settings, symmetry, and front-on and top-down shots – to craft their own short films.

Many of the videos use Obituary, from Anderson’s movie The French Dispatch, by composer Alexandre Desplat – a long-time collaborator of the filmmaker’s – to really set the tone for viewers. 

Sisters Thali and Gabi, from Brazil and known as @twolostkids on TikTok, recently posted a video showcasing their trip to Paris – but in the Wes Anderson style.

‘We always pretend we’re in a Wes Anderson movie – Lost in Paris,’ the caption reads on the clip, which has so far been viewed more than 1.4 million.

Drawing from his use of symmetry, the two sisters stand side-by-side in matching red coats as they pull out black-and-white umbrellas at the same time and open them.

It then cuts to a title card that reads: ‘Wes Anderson presents Lost In Paris directed by Two Lost Kids with Two Lost Kids.’

The video goes on to show a yellow-themed room featuring a dining room table and chairs before the camera pans 90 degrees to reveal an art-covered wall.

More meticulously shot scenes of Paris – including at the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower – continue to flash up, again perfectly framed in Anderson’s symmetrical style.

Title cards also appear heavily in the clips on TikTok, which are used to set the scene in Anderson films

British actor Michael Barrymore (left) joined in on the fun on TikTok. Pictured right is a scene from Moonrise Kingdom, with Bob Balaban in the film

New York creator Tori Romo, 25, also took a leaf out of Anderson’s book and uploaded a video titled ‘Things In Tori’s Life That Don’t Make Sense.’

In a nod to the filmmaker, a man’s voice begins to narrate over footage of a smiling Tori in a light blue sweater, saying: ‘There are things in Tori’s life that don’t make sense.’

As she slaps down two Jane Austen novels, the voice continues: ‘She owns two copies of Pride And Prejudice. Yet she hasn’t read either of them.’

‘She despises apples and refuses to eat them unless they are sliced,’ the man says as Tori pretends to gag while trying to bite into the fruit.

‘On dating apps she physically has to swipe right on a man if his name is Matt, which is funny because nothing has ever worked out with a Matt.’

The clip progresses with Tori lying down on a couch, with the narrator saying: ‘In Tori’s first therapy session, she was asked, “Is there anything else I should know about you?” To which she said, “I’m worried I’m a self-aware narcissist.” 

‘He laughed, “Well, that’s impossible, those don’t exist.”

New York creator Tori Romo , 25, also took a leaf out of Anderson’s book and uploaded a video titled ‘Things In Tori’s Life That Don’t Make Sense’

Tori’s use of color is a nod to the eye-catching sets on Anderson’s films, such as this scene from The Royal Tenenbaums. This scene features Luke Wilson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller and Gene Hackman

‘”Wow,” she thought, “I know more than my own therapist.” Her second therapist told her, “You don’t need therapy. You seem fine.” What the – ?’

Tori’s video has been view more than 1.1 million times, at the time of writing, and people were loving her take on the Wes Anderson genre.

‘I’m obsessed with this narration,’ one fan wrote.

‘How did you get Wes Anderson to direct???’ another person quipped.

‘This is the best piece of content I’ve seen in days,’ a third comment read.

Others compared the TikTok to French favorite Amelie and the Lee Pace-led show Pushing Daisies.

‘I LOVE this!!!! I can’t put my finger on all the movies it reminds me of but one would have to be Amelie,’ one TikTok user said.

New York City photographer Ava Williams featured her journey on ‘the first train along the Shoreline East to Grand Central Terminal’

She also shares some shots of her on the train, reminiscent of Anderson’s style

Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson and Adrien Brody in the 2007 film, The Darjeeling Limited

Someone else added: ‘This is very Pushing Daisies.’

Los Angeles-based director Josh Rimmey, who co-founded Black Coffee Productions, also tried to his hand at the Wes Anderson trend.

‘You better not be acting like you’re in a Wes Anderson film in your wood shop,’ the text overlay reads, with a sheepish-looking Josh appearing.

The 30-second video, which has been viewed more than 1.9 million times so far, begins with: ‘The shop, 5.30pm (PST).’

It then cuts to some very Anderson-esque shots, including a top-down scene showing off his woodworking tools – similar to the one seen in The Grand Budapest Hotel where Saoirse Ronan’s Agatha bakes prison-break tools into some pastries to aid Gustave’s (Ralph Fiennes) escape.

Again his video features the symmetrical framing that Anderson is famous for, but in this case it features Josh putting on his over-the-ear hearing protection and wood being cut by a circular saw.

Another creator Illeleana Karis also got in on the fun, posting a satirical video titled: ‘How to get away with murder (serial killer guide).’

Another shot from @twolostkids’s video showing a yellow-themed dining room

Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law and Wes Anderson on the the set of The Grand Budapest Hotel

It begins with a top-down shot of a filled teacup and saucer, and a narrator saying in a tongue-in-cheek tone: ‘There are a few simple rules you must follow.

‘Rule number one: pick a location, preferably a location that is more remote. Some examples: a farm or an island, if you’re rich enough.

‘Rule number two: don’t leave a mess. If you’re going to do, be discreet. Nobody wants to clean up a huge pile of blood and splattered brains on the wall.

‘And finally, the last and most important rule: don’t be stupid. Remember every single tiny detail of your performance, make sure your work isn’t traceable. You wouldn’t want to be caught, would you?’

Illeleana’s video, which has been seen 14.9 million, is littered with references to Anderson’s films.

Josh’s video features a satisfying symmetrical shot of a circular saw

Another creator Illeleana Karis also got in on the fun, posting a satirical video titled: ‘How to get away with murder (serial killer guide)’

Illeleana ‘s video, which has been seen 14.9 million, is littered with references to Anderson’s films

New York City photographer Ava Williams and British actor Michael Barrymore also paid homage to the director with their own takes.

Ava’s featured her journey on ‘the first train along the Shoreline East to Grand Central Terminal,’ according to her Anderson-inspired title card, adding the time: ‘6:45am.’

It then features front-on shots of her standing on the platform, looking into the camera, as well as on the train.

Michael’s video was similarly train-heavy, with him walking up the stairs at the station and on his commute with pitstops throughout London.

One TikTok creator known as @esno.art has shared a video about ‘how to create the perfect Wes Anderson edit,’ which has been seen more than 535,000 times so far.

‘Symmetry is a very important tool in Wes Anderson movies, so find things that have lines that you can use,’ the creator begins.

One TikTok creator known as @esno.art has shared a video about ‘how to create the perfect Wes Anderson edit,’ which has been seen more than 535,000 times so far

As well as considering symmetry, the creator recommends using music by Alexandre Desplat, a long-time Anderson collaborator

‘And a very crucial thing is always to turn 90 or 180 degrees when you make a cut. Never film at angle but point the camera straight at the subject so all lines are straight.

‘Use music by Alexandre Desplat, either from The Grand Budapest Hotel or The French Dispatch, like the sound that’s trending right now.

‘Most of the clips should be static, so avoid any shaky handheld footage and if you want to use any movement it should be smooth and very slow where you track the subject along the frame.

‘Find buildings, landscapes or interiors that have some color, preferably some warm and earthy tones and clothes and objects that have a vintage look, along with the pastel colors.

‘In the color grading, you can be creative and use a hint of green and yellow in the shadows and midtones with a bit of magenta in the highlights and skin tones.’