Channing Tatum opens up about the moment in Josephine that hit him hardest as the film continues to generate strong emotional reactions following its Sundance debut.
Beth de Araújo’s drama quickly emerged as one of the breakout titles at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival after its world premiere drew a strong response in the packed Eccles Theatre.
By the time the credits rolled, the audience rose to a prolonged standing ovation, while Tatum, who stars in the film, was visibly emotional.
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 in the Variety Studio presented by Audible, where he reflected on seeing the film for the first time.
One scene in particular stayed with him.
“One of the scenes that got me, and I wasn’t there to film it, is when Josephine is looking through the window and drawing things,” Tatum said.
“I bawled my eyes out. 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 processes the aftermath of a traumatic event.
Araújo both wrote and directed the film, based 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 script stood out immediately.
“I was blown away by her first film and so lucky that she even sent me the script. Reading it… brave isn’t even the word. It was so cool,” he said.
“The turns she took with the style. She really does. She’s not trying to make a movie, she’s trying to tell a story that’s never been told. I think she did that with this movie.”
The actor also shared how the film affected him on a personal level.
“I have a daughter and it’s made me look at myself and the way I parent and what the connection is and how I communicate things,” Tatum said.
“This film deals with such difficult subjects, but in such a masterfully artful way. I am so proud to be in it.”
After premiering in the US Dramatic Competition at Sundance, Josephine is set to screen next at the Berlin International Film Festival, continuing its early momentum on the global stage.
