Josephine (dir. Beth de Araújo)

By: Nick Zednik

Trauma has no expiration date and Sumerian Pictures latest, Josephine is a haunting drama about how trauma can shatter a child’s sense of security. The film follows eight-year-old Josephine, who witnesses a sexual assault in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. As she struggles to comprehend what she witnessed, her distress forces her parents, Damien and Claire, to confront the challenges of helping her heal. Director Beth de Araújo (Soft & Quiet) immerses audiences in a child’s fractured perspective, exploring how trauma reshapes a family.

Newcomer Mason Reeves delivers a remarkable debut performance, capturing a child’s vulnerability, confusion, and growing paranoia with extraordinary naturalism. Channing Tatum (21 Jump Street, Roofman) brings dramatic depth to Damien, whose instinct to protect his daughter is complicated by his emotional limitations. Gemma Chan (Crazy Rich Asians, Eternals) is equally affecting as Claire, who struggles to protect her daughter while preparing her to confront the world’s harsh realities. Together, the performances ground the family dynamic in painful authenticity.

De Araújo’s intimate camerawork and unsettling imagery transform familiar surroundings into sources of anxiety, conveying how trauma distorts everyday life. The film examines the difficulty of discussing painful realities with children while questioning the expectations placed on victims and witnesses who carry burdens they cannot fully comprehend.

Josephine is not without shortcomings. Its unflinching subject matter can be emotionally exhausting and the creative choices the story commits may not be the most comfortable to digest. Nevertheless, the performances and sincerity of the film’s message remain powerful. By centering a child’s perspective, the film offers a sobering reminder of the importance of compassion, understanding, and simply listening.

Nick’s Pick: 8/10 Josephine is not for the faint of heart but diligently handles its subject matter with care and refuses to offer easy answers, allowing for an unforgettable experience.

Josephine is included in Movie Archer’s coverage of the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival