“What Josiah Saw” is a film that masterfully embraces and executes dramatic tonal shifts. Its ability to seamlessly transition from dark and insidious to rotten and seedy is truly commendable. This horror gem weaves a multifaceted narrative that is both cohesive and engrossing, propelling the story forward at an exhilarating pace. It blurs the boundaries of genre, resulting in a captivating cinematic experience. I strongly urge you to watch this film without delay, as its unpredictable nature amplifies the impact when viewed with minimal prior knowledge.
What Josiah Saw is split into a few different stories. They continue along before reaching an ending that may or may not leave you wanting to unsee what you just watched. Luckily, I like a bit of shock value in my cinema and this is a title that delivers a vile and unrelenting meanness in spades a few times along the way. With an ensemble cast that leaves an impression, there is little I didn’t like about this twisted horror movie by director Vincent Grashaw.
What Josiah Saw Comes With Baggage
Labeled as a gothic horror movie, Josiah (Robert Patrick) is woken in the middle of the night by a vision. A vision so frightening, that it sparks a flurry of righteous religiousness in him to cleanse the family of evil. In “What Josiah Saw” we learn that Thomas has been living in the family home. This is long after the death of their mother some years back. His siblings Mary and Eli have both moved on. At his father’s behest, Tom tends to the broken-down farmhouse, getting old things working and forging new life into the old property rumored to be filled with ghosts. The dynamic between Tom and his father is about as sordid as you can get.
The introduction of Tom’s brother Eli brings a dramatic shift in story dynamics. In “What Josiah Saw,” it becomes abundantly clear that this family has endured profound trauma and abuse, leaving lasting scars on the surviving siblings. Eli, in particular, finds himself caught in a desperate spiral, engaging in unsavory activities such as trading companionship for drugs.
Desperate to repay his substantial debt to Boone, Eli musters the courage to approach him, hoping for leniency. However, Boone, devoid of mercy, presents him with a grim ultimatum: either face certain death or embark on a perilous mission to steal precious gold from a group of enigmatic gypsies residing on the outskirts of town. Eli’s fate hangs in the balance as he contemplates his next move.
Inherited Family Trauma Movies
In the third segment, audiences are introduced to Tom and Eli’s sister Mary (played brilliantly by Kelli Garner), who resides in a mansion. Her life seems picture-perfect, with a loving marriage and aspirations to adopt a child. However, as the layers start to peel away, intriguing details emerge. At the tender age of 19, Mary underwent tubal ligation, hinting at a complex backstory. Additionally, an enigmatic habit surfaces – whenever her husband is absent, she retreats to the basement, immersing herself in pulsating techno beats in the pitch-black darkness.
Unfolding like a tightly wound coil, the final act of the film delivers an explosive culmination to the narrative. Just as you believe that the story couldn’t possibly escalate any further, the filmmakers unleash a final revelation with astonishing impact.
Clocking in with a runtime of 2 hours, “What Josiah Saw” encapsulates every ounce of cinematic mastery.
What Josiah Saw is rated
4.5 “Show me how you ride that bicycle” out of 5
What Josiah Saw Full Movie Trailer
- Directed by Vincent Grashaw.
- Written by Robert Alan Dilts.
- The Cast for What Josiah Saw includes Robert Patrick (The Terminator), Nick Stahl (Let the Right Ones In TV Series), Scott Haze (Jurassic World Dominion), and Kelli Garner (American Gigalo TV Series.) Also features Jake Weber, Ronnie Gene Blevins, and Troy Powell.
What Josiah Saw Where to Watch
From Thursday, August 4th, 2022, you can watch What Josiah Saw on the Shudder streaming platform.
What Josiah Saw is streaming on:
What Josiah Saw (Shudder) Best Horror 2022 - Mother of Movies
Director: Vincent Grashaw
Date Created: 2021-08-11 21:03
4.5
Pros
- Stellar casting choices
- Massive large scale twist
- Immaculate sound design
Cons
- Run time is two hours
