"Brilliant, singular and astounding. an instant classic." - David Fear, Rolling Stone
"...one of Tatum’s best performances yet, a deep-feeling and heartbreaking exploration of layers of emotional unease." - Kate Erbland, IndieWire
"JOSEPHINE dares to confront the life-shattering intersection of sex and violence in our culture, facing the toughest of “adult situations” with clear eyes.." - Peter Debruge, Variety
Opens December 4 | Inspired by events from her own childhood, writer-director Beth de Araujo’s assured second feature, JOSEPHINE, follows the psychological fallout after eight-year-old Josephine witnesses a brutal crime in Golden Gate Park. As Josephine acts out, her parents struggle to help their daughter cope while confronting the moral responsibility of demanding justice in a world without innocence. Grounded in three exceptional performances—a standout debut by Reeves as Josephine, an endearing girl-dad turn from Tatum, and an impeccable performance by Chan as a mother determined to protect her child from further harm—the film traces the multifaceted impact of the incident on the entire family. In depicting Josephine’s understanding of what she saw and her parents’ divergent instincts, de Araujo combines matter-of-fact restraint with chilling cinematic conventions to convey the complex path through trauma, from crime to courtroom and beyond.
Content Consideration: This film contains depictions of sexual violence.
Awards & Nominations
2026 Sundance - Winner, U.S. Grand Jury Prize and U.S. Audience Award
2026 Berlin International Film Festival - Official Selection
2026 Toronto International Film Festival - Official Selection
The Film Center is ADA accessible. This presentation will be projected without open captions. The theater is hearing-loop equipped. For accessibility requests, please email filmcenter@saic.edu