Josephine is a 2026 American thriller-drama film, written, directed, and produced by Beth de Araújo. It stars Channing Tatum, Gemma Chan, Mason Reeves, Philip Ettinger, and Syra McCarthy.
The film had its world premiere at the U.S. Dramatic Competition section of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on January 23, where it won the Grand Jury Prize Dramatic and the Audience Award Dramatic. It had its international premiere at the main competition of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on February 20, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear. It is scheduled to be released on November 20, 2026, by Sumerian Pictures.
Premise After eight-year-old Josephine witnesses a brutal assault in Golden Gate Park, she begins to experience fear and paranoia.
Cast Gemma Chan as Claire Channing Tatum as Damien Mason Reeves as Josephine, Claire and Damien's daughter who witnesses the assault Philip Ettinger as Greg, a rapist Syra McCarthy as Sandra, a victim of sexual assault Eleanore Pienta as Kerry Michael Angelo Covino as Francisco Castellanos, a lawyer Dana Millican as Miss Hoffman, a lawyer
Production Beth de Araújo and her screenplay Josephine were selected for the 2018 Sundance Institute screenwriting and directing labs. The film was also the recipient of the 2021 Dolby Institute Fellowships from SFFILM during its development and later received the CAPE and TAAF Rising Filmmakers Finishing Fund in 2025.
Gemma Chan was cast in 2019.Gemma Chan on the ‘Small Miracle’ of Making ‘Josephine’ and Why She Connected to the Film Emotionally: ‘It Really Hit a Raw Nerve’ The project stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2024, Channing Tatum, Philip Ettinger, Syra McCarthy, and Mason Reeves joined the cast of the film. Reeves was discovered by de Araújo at the Clement Street Farmers Market.Heartbreaking San Francisco film premieres at Sundance to multiple standing ovations
Principal photography began April 2024 in San Francisco. The production participated in the San Francisco "Scene in San Francisco Incentive Program" administered by the San Francisco Film Commission.
Release Josephine premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section of the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2026. It also screened at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival in the Competition section on February 20, 2026. In February 2026, Sumerian Pictures acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film in a seven-figure deal. The film is scheduled to be released in the United States and United Kingdom on November 20, 2026.
Reception Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 86 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".
Accolades AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryNominee(s)ResultBerlin International Film FestivalFebruary 22, 2026Golden BearJosephineCelebration of Cinema and TelevisionOctober 2, 2026Breakthrough Director AwardBeth de AraújoMontclair Film FestivalOctober 18, 2026Breakthrough Director AwardPalm Springs International Film FestivalJanuary 4, 2026Directors to WatchSundance Film FestivalFebruary 1, 2026U.S. Dramatic Competition Grand Jury PrizeJosephineU.S. Dramatic Competition Audience Award
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