The highly anticipated film, Josephine, directed by Beth de Araújo, will have its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2026. Starring Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan, the film delves into the effects of trauma on a family following their daughter’s horrifying experience witnessing a violent crime.
Set against the backdrop of Golden Gate Park, the narrative follows the parents of a young girl, Josephine, as they navigate the aftermath of her accidental witness to a sexual assault. The film addresses a deeply sensitive subject matter, aiming to bring forth conversations surrounding an issue that remains largely unspoken.
De Araújo, who has personally engaged with the topic through her work and experiences, emphasizes the need for open dialogue about sexual violence. “There’s so much silence around it—even saying the word rape is very uncomfortable for everyone,” she states. This project, which she first drafted in 2014, underwent significant development at the Sundance Labs. The process included a SFFILM/Rainin Filmmaking Grant that allowed her to observe a sexual assault case from beginning to end, enriching her understanding for subsequent drafts.
The director’s journey was not without challenges, as she had not previously directed a feature film. Before Josephine, she created Soft & Quiet, a thriller that premiered at the South by Southwest festival in 2022. This film caught the attention of Tatum’s then-girlfriend, Zoë Kravitz, who suggested he might be a good fit for the lead role.
Tatum described the script as painful yet powerful, noting its authenticity. “It was really painful to read just because I could tell it was coming from a very real place,” he explains. After meeting with de Araújo, he collaborated with her to reshape the character of Damien, aligning it with his own Southern upbringing. “It all seemed really close—how my character deals with trauma and how I think my dad dealt with things,” Tatum reflects.
Chan, who recently achieved acclaim for her role in Crazy Rich Asians, was initially hesitant to take on the role of Claire, fearing that her appearance might distract from the story’s realism. Yet, after meeting de Araújo, she recognized the depth of the character. “It was just constantly trying to mine the truth in each of these situations,” Chan notes, revealing her personal connection as a survivor of sexual assault.
De Araújo’s upbringing plays a significant role in the narrative, as she incorporates elements from her own past into the story. Her mother was a professional dancer with the San Francisco Ballet, reflecting the artistic influences that shaped her. However, de Araújo is keen to modernize the script, ensuring it resonates with contemporary audiences.
As the couple in the film grapples with how to communicate the traumatic event to their daughter, tensions rise, particularly as the court proceedings approach. “It’s such a difficult situation,” Chan explains, noting the complexity of their characters’ discussions surrounding the incident.
In casting the role of Josephine, the production team had a serendipitous encounter at a farmer’s market in San Francisco, where they discovered Mason Reeves. Despite having no prior acting experience, Reeves delivers a genuine performance, portraying a child facing a traumatic reality. She celebrated her eighth birthday during the first week of filming, and her youthful energy brought a unique light to the set. Chan recalls, “There were times where Channing and I would be really flagging, and she would be full of energy. She kept us going a lot of the time on these long days.”
The film depicts the brutal event from a child’s perspective, and de Araújo aimed to create a visceral experience. To support the cast during emotionally challenging scenes, a trauma therapist was present on set. “I wanted it to be as visceral and as real as I could remember it,” she explains, emphasizing the necessity of confronting such painful realities.
Reflecting on the experience of bringing Josephine to life, de Araújo acknowledges the emotional weight it carried for her and her cast. “Seeing how small Mason was did give me a sense of empathy for my childhood self,” she shares. For Tatum and Chan, the project has proven transformative. Chan describes feeling lighter after completing the film, recognizing the cathartic process they underwent together.
Tatum, a father himself, has gained a renewed perspective on parenting. “I’m not ever going to do right, and really put down the fear of messing up because we’re flawed people,” he states. The team hopes that their powerful narrative will resonate with audiences, sparking important conversations and offering a cathartic experience.
De Araújo expresses her desire for viewers to engage with her work meaningfully. “I think perhaps my work will always be an invitation to accept that a better world is possible—maybe, hopefully,” she concludes.
As Josephine prepares for its debut at the Sundance Film Festival, it stands to be a poignant exploration of trauma, resilience, and the complexities of family dynamics in difficult times.
