Beth de Araujo’s film, Josephine, is set to make its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2026, showcasing a powerful narrative centered on trauma and the complexities of parenting. The film features actors Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan as parents struggling to support their daughter, Josephine, after she witnesses a violent crime. This gripping drama brings to light the often-overlooked subject of sexual assault, presenting a raw and intimate exploration of its impact on families.
The story unfolds in Golden Gate Park, where young Josephine accidentally witnesses a horrific incident. De Araujo, who has poured her own experiences into the screenplay, emphasizes the importance of addressing such uncomfortable topics in society. She stated, “There’s so much silence around it—even saying the word rape is very uncomfortable for everyone, and I totally understand why. But if we say that this is accepted in society, what else are we willing to accept?”
De Araujo began drafting the screenplay in 2014 and refined it during her time at the Sundance Labs. Her efforts were bolstered by receiving a SFFILM/Rainin Filmmaking Grant, which provided her the opportunity to observe a sexual assault case at the San Francisco Hall of Justice. This firsthand experience deeply informed her writing. In addition, her work at the Los Angeles Rape and Battering Hotline allowed her to serve as a witness advocate, further shaping her understanding of the subject matter.
Before directing Josephine, De Araujo helmed the psychological thriller Soft & Quiet, which premiered at the South by Southwest film festival in 2022. The film garnered the attention of Tatum’s then-girlfriend, Zoë Kravitz, who suggested him for the lead role. Tatum praised the script for its emotional weight, remarking, “It was really painful to read just because I could tell it was coming from a very real place.”
In adapting the character of Damien, Tatum’s Southern heritage influenced the portrayal, allowing him to connect with the character’s struggles. “It was a really interesting place to go and poke around some of these wounds that are still open in me,” he shared. Meanwhile, Chan, who was fresh off the success of Crazy Rich Asians, found herself resonating with the role of Claire, despite initial apprehensions about balancing her beauty with the character’s everyday realism.
Both actors recognized the challenges of their roles, with Chan revealing her personal connection to the narrative. “I am a sexual assault survivor myself, and there are some things in Claire’s background that really spoke to me,” Chan explained. De Araujo incorporated elements from her own upbringing into the story; like Chan’s character, her mother was a professional dancer, but the director noted significant differences in their experiences.
As Claire and Damien navigate their daughter’s trauma, they confront disagreements on how to communicate with her about the incident. De Araujo reflected on her own childhood, stating, “My parents never talked to me about that morning until I was in my 20s,” highlighting the need for more open discussions in modern parenting.
The search for the right actress to portray Josephine led De Araujo to a farmer’s market in San Francisco, where she discovered Mason Reeves. Despite having no prior acting experience, Reeves delivered a poignant performance as the young girl grappling with the aftermath of what she witnessed. “I was always really clear that I wanted her to be the exact age, because even when you get to nine and ten, they just look a little bit less innocent,” De Araujo noted.
Reeves, who celebrated her eighth birthday during filming, brought a bright energy to the set. Chan remarked on her resilience, stating, “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.”
De Araujo aimed to capture the brutal reality of the assault from a child’s perspective, a decision that necessitated a sensitive approach. “I wanted it to be as visceral and as real as I could remember it,” she expressed, noting that a trauma therapist was present during particularly difficult scenes.
Reflecting on the filming process, De Araujo found it to be both challenging and cathartic. “Seeing how small Mason was did give me a sense of empathy for my childhood self,” she said, highlighting the personal growth she experienced through the project.
For Tatum and Chan, Josephine offered transformative experiences as well. Chan described feeling lighter after the process, despite the weight of the material. Tatum, a father himself, gained insights into parenting and the importance of self-compassion. “I’m not ever going to do right, and really put down the fear of fucking up because we’re flawed people,” he reflected.
As the team prepares for the Sundance premiere, De Araujo hopes that the film resonates with audiences, providing a meaningful exploration of trauma and healing. “I do always want the audience to feel like with any of my work, they’re guaranteed something worthwhile, and it will allow them to crack their heart open just a little bit,” she concluded.
With its poignant narrative and compelling performances, Josephine aims to shed light on the complexities of trauma, fostering conversations that can pave the way for healing and understanding.
