Channing Tatum talks about the moment in Josephine that struck him the most, as the film continues to generate strong emotional reactions following its Sundance debut.
Beth de Araújo’s drama quickly became one of the breakout titles of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival after its world premiere sparked a powerful reaction in the packed Eccles Theater.
As the credits rolled, the audience rose to its feet for a long standing ovation, while Tatum, who stars in the film, was visibly moved.
He later admitted that he broke down “five, six, seven” times during the screening.
The day after the premiere, Tatum joined writer-director Araújo and co-stars Gemma Chan and Mason Reeves at Variety Studio presented by Audible, where he reflected on watching the film for the first time.
One scene, in particular, stuck with him.
“One of the scenes that touched me, and I wasn’t there for the filming, was the one where Josephine is looking out the window and drawing things,” Tatum said.
“I screamed. It was such a beautiful scene. It was unexpected. There are so many moments in this movie where you think about your own child and your own childhood.”
In JosephineTatum and Chan play parents who struggle to support their young daughter as she deals with the aftermath of a traumatic event.
Araújo both wrote and directed the film, drawing on a deeply personal experience from his own childhood, which gives the story an extra layer of authenticity.
Tatum praised Araújo’s approach, noting that the storyline immediately stood out.
“I was blown away by her first film and I was so lucky that she even sent me the script. Reading it…brave isn’t even the word. It was so bold,” he said.
“The changes she’s taken with the style. She’s really doing it. She’s not trying to make a movie, she’s trying to tell a story that’s never been told. I think she’s done that with this movie.”
The actor also opened up about how the film affected him on a personal level.
“I have a daughter, and it made me look at myself, look at how I parent, what the connection is and how I communicate things,” Tatum said.
“This film deals with very difficult subjects, but in such a masterful way. I am so proud to be a part of it.”
After its premiere in the American drama competition at Sundance, Josephine is expected to next screen at the Berlin International Film Festival, continuing its initial momentum on the world stage.
