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   4,541 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 39% 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:
Problem Child 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)
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 role of Joshua's young sibling was played by the real-life newborn sibling of Jacob Kogan. 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:
[last lines]
Joshua Cairn: [sung] I only ever really wanted to be with you.
more
Movie Connections:
References Bronenosets Potyomkin (1925) more
Soundtrack:
See the World more

FAQ

How did the idea for this movie come about?
more
1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful.
Problem Child, 7 November 2009
7/10
Author: JoeytheBrit from www.moviemoviesite.com

With very little foreknowledge, I tuned into this movie expecting some kind of kid-possessed-by demon Exorcist/Damien rip-off, but although the film tells of a kid from hell there is no supernatural element to it. I was initially quite surprised by how well-written the screenplay was, although the plot loses some of its impetus half-way through as the writer is forced to create progressively unlikely incidents in order to build upon the tension he has already created.

Joshua is a strange boy, bordering on genius, who likes nothing more than pulling the stuffing from his toy panda's nose in emulation of the Ancient Egyptian's method of preparing dead bodies for embalming. He's also pretty good at copying Dad's grief when he mourns over the dead body of the old family dog (who Joshua may or may not have offed while walking in the park). Joshua knows he's weird, and you sense he's frightened that his parents don't love him – or at least won't love him as much now that a baby sister has arrived in the scene. Sneaking a peek at videos of his constant wailing as a baby also does nothing for his frame of mind, and it's not long before he's sneaking in to little sis's room to make her cry the way he used to.

All these scenes are intelligently scripted and handled – as is Joshua's unique piano recital – fooling you into believing you're in for something really special but, while the film is still impressive (and far better than much of the stuff coming out of Hollywood these days), the plot developments become increasingly predictable, while the aim of Joshua's quiet campaign of terror on his parents is something of a mystery initially, and a little far-fetched when revealed in the final scene (which, naturally, leaves the way open for a sequel).

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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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