IMDb > Joshua (2007)
Joshua
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Photos (see all 40 | slideshow) Videos (see all 16 NEW)
Joshua (2007) -- The arrival of a newborn girl causes the gradual disintegration of the Cairn family; particularly for 9-year-old Joshua (Kogan), an eccentric boy whose proper upbringing and refined tastes both take a sinister turn.
Joshua (2007) -- Clip: The book of Joshua
Joshua (2007) -- Behind the scenes: Rockwell, Kogan, and baby
Joshua (2007) -- Interview: Jacob Kogan "On his character"
Joshua (2007) -- The arrival of a newborn girl causes the gradual disintegration of the Cairn family; particularly for 9-year-old Joshua (Kogan), an eccentric boy whose proper upbringing and refined tastes both take a sinister turn.

Overview

User Rating:
6.0/10   4,536 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 22% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
George Ratliff
Writers:
David Gilbert (written by) and
George Ratliff (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Joshua on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
19 September 2007 (Philippines) more
Genre:
Horror | Thriller more
Tagline:
The story of a perfect boy who had a perfect plan. more
Plot:
The arrival of a newborn girl causes the gradual disintegration of the Cairn family; particularly for 9-year-old Joshua (Kogan), an eccentric boy whose proper upbringing and refined tastes both take a sinister turn. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
4 wins & 3 nominations more
User Comments:
Clearly not what the ignorant masses were expecting more (69 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Sam Rockwell ... Brad Cairn

Vera Farmiga ... Abby Cairn
Celia Weston ... Hazel Cairn

Dallas Roberts ... Ned Davidoff

Michael McKean ... Chester Jenkins

Jacob Kogan ... Joshua Cairn
Nancy Giles ... Betsy Polsheck
Linda Larkin ... Ms. Danforth

Alex Draper ... Stewart Slocum
Stephanie Roth Haberle ... Pediatrician

Ezra Barnes ... Fred Solomon

Jodie Markell ... Ruth Solomon
Rufus Collins ... Henry Abernathy
Haviland Morris ... Monique Abernathy
Tom Bloom ... Joe Cairn
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Joshua: The Devil's Child (Australia)
Devil's Child (Finland) [fi]
Devil's Child (Netherlands) [nl]
Devil's Child (Denmark) (DVD title) [da]
El hijo del mal (Spain) [es]
Joshua (France) [fr]
Joshua (Argentina) (DVD title) [es]
Joshua (Greece) (DVD title) [el]
Joshua - Der Erstgeborene (Germany) [de]
Joshua - O Filho do Mal (Brazil) [pt]
Joshua: Aku wo yobu shônen (Japan) [ja]
Teufelskind Joshua (Germany) (DVD title) [de]
more
MPAA:
Rated R for language and some disturbing behavior by a child.
Runtime:
106 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital
Certification:
Singapore:NC-16 | Germany:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:PG (British Columbia) | USA:R (certificate #43401) | Australia:MA (2007) | Finland:K-15 | Argentina:13 | New Zealand:M | Portugal:M/16 | Netherlands:16 | South Africa:16LV | France:-12
Filming Locations:
New York City, New York, USA
Company:
ATO Pictures more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The note that Joshua leaves for his father reads: "Dad,/Eaten lunch already/and gone to/The Brooklyn Museum of Art/having fun with Nunu and Lily." If you arrange the first letter of each line in order, it reveals an acrostic for "Death." more
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): The video tape Joshua pulls from the drawer to watch is dated 2/29/1997. 1997 was not a leap year. more
Quotes:
Brad Cairn: I think you're sick, Josh.
[experimental sniff]
Joshua Cairn: I don't feel sick.
Joshua Cairn: Not at all.
more
Movie Connections:
References Bronenosets Potyomkin (1925) more
Soundtrack:
The Fly more

FAQ

How did the idea for this movie come about?
more
70 out of 102 people found the following comment useful.
Clearly not what the ignorant masses were expecting, 15 July 2007
8/10
Author: SomethingJustDiedInHere from Illinois

I had been waiting quite impatiently for the release of Joshua from the moment I saw the trailer. Unlike the people who walked out of the theater, I was not disappointed. But that doesn't mean you won't be. Joshua is clearly not a movie for the everyman and it never really tries to be.

It is a story about a boy who longs to be understood by parents who choose to watch from the sidelines. The previews made the boy seem like he was just a creepy weirdo, but it becomes obvious quite quickly why he is the way he is. Joshua tells his father that he does not like soccer and baseball. In an attempt to seem open-minded and understanding, his father tells him that it's okay and that he should just do what he wants (without ever asking exactly what it is that his son wants). His mother just doesn't care as long as she's not bothered.

Dark, disturbing, creepy, but occasionally sadistically humorous, events unfold slowly (much to the dismay of people expecting shock after gratuitous shock) proving Joshua to be a far more calm and calculating boy than originally perceived. Jacob Kogan's performance is reminiscent of Haley Joel Osment in A.I. (if that character were a sadistic schemer). He is the only character who stands out and I believe this was intentional; the other characters can tell, right along with the audience, that the boy ain't quite right.

This movie is certainly not for the impatient and/or those who need to be smacked in the face repeatedly to stay awake during movies. But if you want a movie that slowly and coolly toys with your mind until the very end, Joshua will likely deliver what you are looking for.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (69 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Joshua (2007)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
So This is the American Society!!! osdiablo
Some say the boy was infatuated with the uncle? ikee3
if only more films had this kind of ending eightpurple
his parents actually weren't that bad... newgirl12
Esther OWNS Joshua iruon_itauol
loved seeing the dad hit the kid dorisblake
more

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