Joshua

A successful classical pianist and his wife, who recently gave birth, begin to suspect that their seemingly angelic young son, Joshua, is a malevolent force. As Joshua's behavior becomes increasingly disturbing and manipulative, his parents struggle to understand the true nature of his evil intentions. Their lives descend into a terrifying nightmare as they attempt to protect themselves and their newborn daughter from their own child.

Joshua received mixed to positive reviews from critics, with many praising its unsettling atmosphere and performances, particularly from Sam Rockwell and Vera Farmiga. However, some found the plot to be predictable or derivative of other demonic child films. Audiences were generally divided, with some appreciating the psychological tension and others finding it too slow-paced or lacking in genuine scares.

• Praised for its tense atmosphere and strong lead performances.

• Noted for its unnerving portrayal of a potentially supernatural child.

• Criticized by some for relying on familiar horror tropes.

Google audience: Google users generally appreciated the film's suspenseful build-up and the disturbing premise, finding the performances convincing. However, a segment of viewers felt the film didn't fully deliver on its potential for scares and had a somewhat anticlimactic resolution.

The film's director, George Ratliff, has stated that the inspiration for the character of Joshua came from hearing stories of difficult children and wanting to explore the darker side of parental responsibility and the unknown.