In 2025 will we all be crazy for Bob Dylan?

2025 could be the year when Bob Dylan returns to the mainstream. At 84 years old, the timeless icon of American songwriting will once again dominate cultural conversations thanks to A Complete Unknown, the biopic directed by James Mangold, with Timothée Chalamet playing a young Dylan. The highly anticipated film takes us back to the 1960s, the decade that forever changed music and society, recounting the rise of a musician who not only rewrote the rules but also created an entire language to talk about the world. The period explored in the film corresponds to a crucial moment in Dylan's biography, from his arrival in New York in 1961 and his time in Greenwich Village to the controversial “electric transition” of 1965 at the Newport Folk Festival. According to early reviews, the film promises to be an intense and sincere portrayal of an artist who has always defied expectations.

Not only that: Chalamet's performance, already described by the Guardian as an “electric revelation”, could redefine what it means to portray an icon. The actor, beloved by Gen Z for his ethereal charm and versatility, immersed himself entirely in the role, spending five years mimicking Dylan's nasal voice and mastering his enigmatic stage gestures. What makes his interpretation even more intriguing is the fact that Chalamet recorded all the songs live, without resorting to playback. This approach, reminiscent of great musical biopics like Walk the Line (also directed by Mangold), adds authenticity and depth to a narrative that is compelling in its own right. The choice to depict Dylan during such a pivotal moment in his career—the transition of the Duluth songwriter from folk music to electric rock, a watershed moment in the music world that alienated part of his traditional audience—is a statement of intent. This is the rebellious, innovative, and arrogant Dylan that we will see on the big screen.

But Dylan's revival doesn’t stop at the cinema. The fashion world also seems ready to pay homage to his unique style, effortlessly combining worn jeans, shirts, and oversized jackets. The collaboration with Levi’s, recently announced, is proof of this. The capsule collection draws inspiration from Dylan's iconic 1960s looks, incorporating details like hand-stitched panels and vintage washes. This aesthetic, nostalgic yet incredibly contemporary, fits perfectly within the context of 2025 fashion trends, which increasingly look to the past for authenticity and inspiration. Indeed, 2025 will be dominated by a retro aesthetic with suede and mocha mousse as key colors, evoking the craftsmanship and spontaneity of the 1960s. And who better than Dylan to represent this fusion of tradition and rebellion? His seemingly casual yet meticulously curated way of dressing is destined to become a new reference point for a generation seeking to combine vintage and contemporary styles authentically, as demonstrated by the TikTok trend Dylan Core, where young people recreate Bob Dylan's style and walk as depicted on the iconic cover of *The Freewheelin’.*

Even on the musical front, Dylan seems ready to inspire a new wave of creativity. In an era dominated by algorithms and fleeting trends, his analog approach—built on guitar, pen, and soul—feels almost revolutionary. His last album of original songs, Rough and Rowdy Ways (2020), is a journey through American pop, political, and literary history—his first work since winning the 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature—featuring folk-blues sounds and an arsenal of guitars, slides, double basses, and harmonicas, marking a precious chapter of the last decade in music. And in all of this, A Complete Unknown might be just the beginning. The rediscovery of Dylan as a cultural and spiritual figure seems destined to once again influence the course of history. Timothée Chalamet appeared in mid-December on the red carpet for the film's premiere with an unusual look: blond, straight hair under a turquoise beret, a red-and-blue checkered shirt, and a black leather jacket. An explicit homage to Dylan's look at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival premiere. Whether on the big screen, the runway, or in our headphones, Dylan is ready to return to the heart of culture. And perhaps 2025 will be remembered as the year we rediscovered that a man, his guitar, and his words can still change the world.