Who doesn’t love a good, dark, gothic horror?
There was a period about twenty minutes into this film where a level of discomfort had crept in, but there was also a sense of frustration because of how plodding the pace was. As I reflect now on the movie I realize the intention of Vincent Grashaw‘s horror/ drama was always there, utilizing a slow burn to make the payoff that much more impactful. And it really is.
Family Trauma
Divided into chapters, we’re given the story of each of the fractured Graham family, whose past tragedy lives on in each of the members, culminating with an eventual return to their rundown farmhouse. In the first part, we meet Josiah, the intimidating patriarch, (Robert Patrick), and Tommy (Scott Haze), the youngest son under his thumb, who still reside in their family home. In the second and third chapters, we learn about the struggles of Eli (Nick Stahl) and Mary (Kelli Garner) who have both been out of touch, until a letter describing an interest in purchasing the farm, brings them back home.
From the very beginning of the film, there’s a level of unease, even as the details of what is happening are unclear. Josiah has a vision in the night and proceeds to advise his son that the family needs to make up for the sins of their family’s past. Josiah’s constant poisoning of Tommy’s mind with this notion gives us a strange but inviting early chapter in the film. When it shifts to a group of men discussing the potential sale of the property, they mention that it’s haunted by the ghost of Josiah’s wife who committed suicide on the farm. Is this a paranormal story? A psychological thriller? Both? What Josiah Saw ends up being a combination of each, in an ominous and resonating way. Whether it be about the power our pasts can have on us or an unnatural force, the sinister elements of the movie find root early and dig in deep. When things are unearthed in the final moments, it’s unexpectedly tragic and potent, even if aspects aren’t entirely explained.
There’s no denying that this is a grim movie. It uses every tool it can to create a lasting impression of gloom and discomfort. By the time we meet Mary, nearly breaking under the weight of her past, we’re feeling alongside her. The score by Robert Pycior is imposing and foreboding, reminding me a lot of the work in Insidious, similar in how it uses the music to cut right through a scene.
Building the Tension
Without giving away the specifics there are also some genuinely terrifying moments, shot and performed masterfully, making them linger as What Josiah Saw unfurls its bag of secrets. The cinematography by Carlos Ritter keeps the viewer in the shadows as much as the characters are within the nature of the film while using the bleakness of the landscapes to match the tone.
With quite the ensemble cast, all giving their best, the story has mismatched areas that ultimately do click, but the script by Robert Alan Dilts has some areas that could have benefited from more attention. There’s a genuine awkwardness between this family, delivering their familial distance with great skill. From the moment Kelli Garner is introduced, with her scene-stealing performance, the film is really hitting its stride. Unfortunately, that’s in the final act.
The undeniable tension, that had been building over the movie, now seethes as the family is reunited. There is some trouble in the beginning with pacing that I fear will lose some of its audience, as well as changes in scenery that may seem abrupt and be harder to engage with. But, it’s worth the journey. The film really flourishes when it breathes life into the psychological horror side. In many ways, this is just a story about the horrors and trauma that can exist within a family and within an individual, with a taste of a haunted house feel.
Conclusion: What Josiah Saw
Early on I was unsure of its effectiveness, but the film really works in perpetuating perceivable dread. Haunting, strange, and engrossing, the more I mulled over What Josiah Saw the more I realized its hold, and it made me appreciate Vincent Grashaw’s directorial work. I can’t wait to see what he does next.
What Josiah Saw premiered on August 13th at Fantasia Film Festival 2021.
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