Brad Cairn (played by Sam Rockwell) is a protagonist in Joshua.
Brad is the demanding corporate father who takes time off when his wife's mental health deteriorates. He gradually uncovers Joshua's sociopathic manipulation, leading to a public confrontation where he assaults his son, resulting in his arrest. He is later framed by Joshua for tampering with his wife's medication. Abby Cairn (played by Vera Farmiga) is a protagonist in Joshua.
Abby is a non-religious Jewish mother who suffers a severe mental breakdown due to the stress of caring for a crying infant and Joshua's manipulative behavior. She becomes institutionalized after a psychotic episode triggered by Joshua's games with her daughter. Joshua Cairn (played by Jacob Kogan) appears in Joshua.
Joshua is a 9-year-old piano prodigy who exhibits overt sociopathic and manipulative behavior. He systematically destroys his family's lives by killing the dog, murdering his grandmother, framing his father for assault and drug tampering, and exploiting his uncle Ned to secure his own position as the family's sole beneficiary. Hazel Cairn (played by Celia Weston) appears in Joshua.
An Evangelical Christian grandmother who frequently attempts to convert Joshua. She accompanies him to a museum where she is frightened by his comments, and is later pushed down a flight of stairs by him, an act Joshua disguises as an accident. Pediatrician (played by Stephanie Roth Haberle) appears in Joshua.
Uncle Ned (played by Dallas Roberts) appears in Joshua.
The family's uncle and Joshua's trusted confidant. Initially dismissive of Brad's concerns about Joshua, he is eventually chosen by Joshua to adopt both children. He becomes aware of Joshua's true nature after the boy directly confesses his manipulative motives through a piano composition. Monique Abernathy (played by Haviland Morris) appears in Joshua.
Chester (played by Michael McKean) appears in Joshua.
Joshua (2007) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Brad Cairn
(played by Sam Rockwell) — protagonist
Brad is the demanding corporate father who takes time off when his wife's mental health deteriorates. He gradually uncovers Joshua's sociopathic manipulation, leading to a public confrontation where h...
Abby Cairn
(played by Vera Farmiga) — protagonist
Abby is a non-religious Jewish mother who suffers a severe mental breakdown due to the stress of caring for a crying infant and Joshua's manipulative behavior. She becomes institutionalized after a ps...
Joshua Cairn
(played by Jacob Kogan) — supporting
Joshua is a 9-year-old piano prodigy who exhibits overt sociopathic and manipulative behavior. He systematically destroys his family's lives by killing the dog, murdering his grandmother, framing his...
Hazel Cairn
(played by Celia Weston) — supporting
An Evangelical Christian grandmother who frequently attempts to convert Joshua. She accompanies him to a museum where she is frightened by his comments, and is later pushed down a flight of stairs by...
Pediatrician
(played by Stephanie Roth Haberle) — supporting
Uncle Ned
(played by Dallas Roberts) — supporting
The family's uncle and Joshua's trusted confidant. Initially dismissive of Brad's concerns about Joshua, he is eventually chosen by Joshua to adopt both children. He becomes aware of Joshua's true nat...
Monique Abernathy
(played by Haviland Morris) — minor
Chester
(played by Michael McKean) — supporting
Ruth Solomon
(played by Jodie Markell) — minor
Joe Cairn
(played by Tom Bloom) — minor
Fred Solomon
(played by Ezra Barnes) — minor
Soccer Dad
(played by Randy Ryan) — supporting
Betsy Polsheck
(played by Nancy Giles) — supporting
A psychologist brought in by Brad to evaluate Joshua. She incorrectly concludes that the boy is a victim of abuse, which inadvertently strengthens Joshua's false narrative and complicates Brad's effor...
Ms. Danforth
(played by Linda Larkin) — supporting
Stewart Slocum
(played by Alex Draper) — minor
Story Analysis
A psychological thriller about a disturbed child who systematically destroys his family
