Joshua

The film introduces Joshua, the nine-year-old son of Brad and Abby Cairn. He is depicted as a remarkably intelligent child, often displaying a maturity and perspective far beyond his age, leaving his parents both impressed and unnerved.

Abby brings home newborn Lily from the hospital, intending to expand their family. However, this event creates immediate tension, as Joshua feels alienated and struggles to adapt to the changes in their family dynamics.

As tensions rise in the household, Joshua begins to distance himself from his parents, particularly Abby. This estrangement signals the onset of unsettling behavior, foreshadowing darker events to come.

Abby becomes increasingly overwhelmed by motherhood and the demands of caring for an infant. The infant's cries exacerbate her mental health struggles, leading her toward a nervous breakdown.

Joshua's behavior escalates from being merely eccentric to exhibiting outright sociopathic tendencies. He begins to discard his toys and inflicts harm on a stuffed animal, hinting at his growing detachment from normal childhood behavior.

Joshua kills the family's pets, further signaling his disturbing transformation. This act serves not just as a manifestation of his sociopathy but also contributes to an unsettling atmosphere within the household.

Bizarre occurrences start overwhelming the Cairn household. These strange events, coupled with the family's tension, create a disorienting environment, leaving Brad and Abby uncertain and fearful of their son's actions.

In a moment of desperation, Abby decides to stop her psychological medications, believing she can manage her stress. This decision exacerbates her instability and alters her perception of Joshua's behavior.

Joshua's disturbing pattern leads to tragic consequences as he is implicated in the death of his grandmother, Hazel. This event further deepens the mystery surrounding his motivations and invites suspicion upon the young boy.

Joshua begins manipulating those around him, including forgoing his innocence and forging evidence of abuse. This calculated strategy aims to convince psychologists and further alienate him from his parents.

In a public setting, Joshua deliberately misbehaves, which leads to his father losing control and striking him. This moment solidifies the perception of abuse in the eyes of onlookers, which Joshua exploits cleverly.

As the film draws to a close, it is revealed through Joshua's impromptu piano composition that all the turmoil was orchestrated by him. His plotting to drive away his parents is laid bare, showcasing his manipulative genius.

The culmination of Joshua's actions reveals that he desired to live with his uncle Ned. His entire campaign against his family was a sinister scheme designed to manipulate events to that end.