WHAT JOSIAH SAW on Shudder is a new horror-thriller that really packs a punch. While I did find it to be a bit too long, the slow-burn approach really works. Everything revolves around three siblings. Read our What Josiah Saw movie review here!

WHAT JOSIAH SAW is a new Shudder Original. The horror thriller is divided into clear parts (or chapters, if you will) and the full picture is slowly revealed. When that happens, the terror becomes even more real. Yes, even if you’ve guessed a few plot twists ahead of time.

My only real “complaint” (if you can even call it that) was that the runtime was on the long side for me. I like slow-burn storytelling and I love character-driven movies. Both are very much core elements of this movie and the cast makes it come together beautifully.

Continue reading our What Josiah Saw movie review below. The film premieres on Shudder on August 4, 2022.

A story of ghosts and mental illness

What Josiah Saw is the kind of movie that plays out as a thriller while the horror element is always waiting right under the surface. And when it comes out, it does so in truly terrifying ways. Even when it happens if situations begin as seemingly “normal”.

You’ll see for yourself because this movie does indeed deliver on moments of horror. Both the imagined kind and the very physical and direct kind.

In this movie, we follow three siblings in each of their own three chapters before they’re once again reunited in their childhood home. A place where their tyrant of a father still looms over everything. Their mother committed suicide many years earlier. And yes, we will learn how and why!

Now, everyone in town knows about the haunted Graham Farm on Willow Road. And we will too since an oil company wants the land it’s on. You’ll hear that it’s a place with a bad history to it. Which is actually an understatement!

What Josiah Saw – Review | Shudder Horror Thriller

Small and very strong cast

The title character of Josiah is played by Robert Patrick (Terminator 2: Judgment Day). Between this Shudder movie and his character in the Peacemaker series, he is quickly becoming the “go-to”-actor for “Worst Father Ever” characters.

The youngest son, Thomas, is played with so much heart (and even more pain) by Scott Haze (Child of God, Jurassic World: Dominion). You may also recognize Scott Haze from the horror movie Antlers (2021). He is so amazing in everything, so we’ll surely be seeing a lot more of him in the years to come.

The remaining two siblings have been away for over two decades. The oldest brother, Eli, is played by another Terminator franchise alumni; Nick Stahl (Hunter Hunter, Sin City), and their sister, Mary, is played by Kelli Garner (Lars and the Real Girl).

Every single sibling struggle with their own issues and their dad is definitely responsible for most of it. Since everything revolves around these three siblings, we need to get their stories. Just be patient and it’ll come together in a terrifying way!

Watch What Josiah Saw on Shudder now!

What Josiah Saw was directed by Vincent Grashaw (Coldwater) and the screenplay was written by Robert Alan Dilts. This is the first feature film screenplay by Robert Alan Dilts produced, but his next project is already filming as of writing this.

For me, What Josiah Saw ultimately packs one hell of a punch. It was never boring, even through the slow parts, since everything is necessary to understand the full picture. Once that is revealed, I was completely onboard with the whole slow-burn approach.

This movie is A Shudder Original and shows the amazingly talented projects this streaming service is capable of investing in. Do not miss out on this Shudder horror-thriller if you’re in the mood for a slow-burn experience.

What Josiah Saw premieres on Shudder on August 4, 2022.

Details

Director: Vincent Grashaw
Writer: Robert Alan Dilts
Stars: Robert Patrick, Nick Stahl, Scott Haze, Kelli Garner, Jake Weber, Ronnie Gene Blevins

Plot

Everyone in town knows about the haunted Graham Farm on Willow Road. You’ll hear there’s a bad history to it. Josiah (Robert Patrick) and his youngest son, Thomas (Scott Haze), are all that remain of this estranged family. But after experiencing terrifying visions from beyond, Josiah decides they must change their ways to right a great wrong. After being away for over two decades, Eli (Nick Stahl) and Mary (Kelli Garner), Josiah’s eldest children, are enticed to sell the property and reunite at the old farmhouse in hopes of closing this haunting chapter of their lives for good. Sins of the past will be paid in full.

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
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