Josephine, directed by Beth de Araujo, became Sundance’s first sensation of 2026 after its world premiere, with star Channing Tatum crying “five, six, seven times” during the screening, which ended with the Eccles Theater audience on its feet and giving the cast and crew a rapturous standing ovation.
The day after the film’s premiere, Tatum attended Variety Studio presented by Audible with Araujo and co-stars Gemma Chan and Mason Reeves and reflected on his emotional reaction to seeing Josephine for the first time.
“One of the scenes that fascinated me was when Josephine was looking through the window and drawing something. I wasn’t there for the filming,” Tatum said. “I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. It was such a beautiful scene. I didn’t expect it. There are so many moments in this movie that make me think about my children and my childhood.”
In Joesphine, Tatum and Chan play two parents struggling to comfort their young daughter as she deals with the aftermath of a traumatic event. Araujo wrote and directed the film, which is based on a harrowing real-life experience he faced as a child.
“I was blown away by her first movie. Luckily, she even sent me the script, and when I read it…brave is not even the word. It was very bold,” Tatum said. “The swing she was taking with that style. She’s really doing it. She’s not trying to make a movie, she’s trying to tell a story that hasn’t been told before. I think she did that with this movie.”
“I have a daughter, and having a daughter has made me look at myself and how I parent and what connection is and how I communicate things,” Tatum added. “This film deals with a very difficult subject, but it is depicted in a very beautiful artistic way. I am very proud to be a part of this film.”
“Josephine” premiered at Sundance’s U.S. Dramatic Competition and will next be screened at the Berlin International Film Festival.
