The most recent Shudder Original is WHAT JOSIAH SAW. The entire picture is gradually unveiled, and the horror thriller is broken into distinct sections (or chapters, if you like). When something takes place, the dread intensifies. Yes, even if you had anticipated some of the plot twists beforehand.

If you can even call it that, my only genuine "criticism" was that I felt the runtime was a bit excessive. I adore character-driven films and slow-burning narratives. Both are crucial components of the film, and the cast masterfully brings them together.

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!

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!

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.