Mason Reeves, the young star of the anticipated film Josephine, embodies the turmoil faced by a child grappling with post-traumatic stress after witnessing a horrific event. The film was recently highlighted during the Sundance Film Festival, showcasing its official selections for 2026. Josephine tells the story of an eight-year-old girl who becomes emotionally lost after witnessing a brutal assault in Golden Gate Park.
The upcoming thriller stars Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan as her parents, illustrating the family’s struggle to navigate the aftermath of the child’s traumatic experience. A newly released image captures a poignant moment, depicting Chan holding Reeves, whose expression reflects a haunting sense of fear and confusion. This imagery hints at a deep examination of childhood trauma and the harsh realities that can intrude upon a young girl’s innocence.
The narrative unfolds as the titular character, Josephine, grapples with the shocking incident she inadvertently witnesses. Overwhelmed by fear and paranoia, her behavior begins to change dramatically, leading to tensions within the family as her parents desperately try to understand and comfort their distressed child.
Directed by Beth de Araújo, Josephine marks her much-anticipated follow-up to her debut horror feature, Soft & Quiet, which garnered critical acclaim and an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The success of her previous film has allowed her to attract high-profile talent, including Tatum, who is set to reprise his role as Gambit in the upcoming Avengers film, and Chan, who previously headlined the ambitious sci-fi piece The Creator. The film also boasts a robust supporting cast featuring Philip Ettinger, Syra McCarthy, and Eleanore Pienta.
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This project stems from a deeply personal place for de Araújo, who has spent over a decade developing the story. Drawing from her own childhood experience, she recalls a traumatic moment at the age of eight while playing in a park with her father. She vividly remembers hearing desperate screams for help and witnessing her father confront an assailant. Although Josephine diverges from the specifics of her experience, it channels the universal and unsettling emotions associated with fear and vulnerability that many children face but rarely see represented in film.
Josephine is set to make its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, which takes place from January 22 to February 1 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, further building anticipation for a film that promises to deliver a poignant exploration of innocence lost amid unspeakable circumstances.
