The first trailer for Josephine has arrived, and it shows Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan in a completely different light. The psychological thriller, which won top prizes at the Sundance Film Festival, follows a young girl who witnesses a terrible crime and the parents who struggle to bring her back to safety. Sumerian Pictures released the official trailer on August 11, 2026.
The movie has already generated major awards buzz and is being called one of the most talked-about films of the year.
The Trailer Shows a Family in Crisis
The Josephine trailer runs about two minutes and wastes no time setting a tense, unsettling mood. It opens with young Josephine (played by newcomer Mason Reeves) sitting in what looks like a therapist’s office.
“Josephine, can you tell me what you saw?” a therapist asks the young child.
The trailer then cuts to flashes of violence as Josephine acts out what she witnessed. The crime took place in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. What exactly Josephine saw remains unclear from the trailer, but the impact on her is immediate and severe.
Channing Tatum appears as Damien, Josephine’s father. In one intense scene, he leans in close to his daughter and says:
“Joe, look me in the eye and swear to me that you’re telling the truth”.
Gemma Chan plays Claire, Josephine’s mother. Both parents are shown trying to comfort their daughter while also dealing with their own fears about what happened.
The trailer builds tension through visuals rather than dialogue. It shows Josephine acting out violently, her parents growing more desperate, and the family falling apart under the weight of the trauma.
The Movie Won Big at Sundance
Josephine premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2026. It won both the U.S. Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award. Winning both top prizes is rare. The last film to do so was CODA, which went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Critics at Sundance called Josephine the “standout” of the festival. One reviewer described it as “easily the most buzzed-about title out of Sundance”. Another critic praised Mason Reeves‘ performance as “one of the great child performances of the decade”.
The film also screened in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival. It will continue its festival run next month at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Channing Tatum Got Emotional Watching the Film
Channing Tatum has been open about how much Josephine affected him personally. At the Sundance premiere, he cried “five, six, seven times” during the screening.
“One of the scenes that got me, and I wasn’t there for the filming it, is when Josephine is looking through the window and drawing things,” Tatum told Variety. “I bawled my eyes out. It was such a beautiful scene. There are so many moments in this movie where you think about your own child and your own childhood”.
Tatum shares a 13-year-old daughter, Everly, with his ex-wife Jenna Dewan. He said making the film made him reflect on his own parenting.
“I have a daughter, and it has made me look at myself and the way I parent and what the connection is and how I’m communicating things,” the actor said. “This movie deals with such hard subjects, but in such a masterfully artful way. I am so proud to be in it”.
The Story Comes From the Director’s Own Life
Josephine was written and directed by Beth de Araújo. The film is based on her own lived experiences. This is her second feature film after the 2022 psychological thriller Soft & Quiet.
The official synopsis reads:
“After eight-year-old Josephine accidentally witnesses a crime in Golden Gate Park, she begins to act out violently to protect herself. This emotional trauma leads to conflicts between her parents as they search for justice, and a way to feel safe again”.
The film stays close to Josephine’s perspective rather than focusing on the adults around her. It examines how fear, confusion, and trauma reshape how a child experiences the world.
How Mason Reeves Was Discovered
Mason Reeves plays the title role of Josephine. The young actress was discovered in an unusual way. Director Beth de Araújo scouted her at a farmers market in San Francisco.
“I was at the farmers market with our dog, and Beth just came over and scouted me,” Reeves shared.
Reeves said her mother, who works in commercials, initially did not want her to become a child actor.
“My mom does commercials. And I wanted to be an actor, and I still do, but she said no because she doesn’t believe in child actors. But the universe granted my wish, and here I am, a child actress”.
Working with Channing Tatum was a positive experience for the young star.
“My favorite part about making the film was that I got to play games in between scenes,” Reeves said. “Like a high-five game with Channing, where he would pretend to give me a high five and then take it away at the last second and continue until I actually gave him a high five”.
The Full Cast and Production Team
Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan lead the cast as parents Damien and Claire. Mason Reeves plays their daughter Josephine.
The supporting cast includes Philip Ettinger, Syra McCarthy, and Eleanore Pienta.
The film runs 120 minutes. It was produced by Beth de Araújo, Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan, David Kaplan, Josh Peters, Marina Stabile, Mark H. Rapaport, and Crystine Zhang. Emanuel Nuñez and Jordan Rapaport served as executive producers.
Sumerian Pictures acquired the film in a competitive seven-figure deal after its Sundance premiere. The studio has committed to an awards campaign for the film.
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Release Date and Where to Watch
Josephine will arrive in select theaters on November 20, 2026. The film will expand nationwide on December 4, 2026.
The movie will be released in the United States first. International release dates have not been announced yet. Given the film’s awards buzz and festival success, it is expected to get a wide global release.
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