Recently, a short movie called “The Strange Thing About The Johnsons” has been making rounds on the internet after leaked footage of the movie went viral. This led to heated discussions, especially among African Americans, over a white filmmaker’s right to express themselves versus a community’s feelings of disapproval.
The Strange Thing About The Johnsons is not a new movie. It was released way back in 2011 and was directed and written by Ari Aster. It is an American psychological horror drama that follows the story of a suburban family. Compared to other movies of the same genre, something strange about the Johnsons is that they are not so well known, and that’s major because of the disturbing plot.
The Strange Thing About The Johnsons is not your typical psychological horror drama. Therefore, it is only suitable for some to watch. However, if you are still intrigued to learn about The Strange Thing About The Johnsons plot and cast, we have provided all the details in the post below.
About The Strange Thing About The Johnsons Short Film
Written and directed by Ari Aster, The Strange Thing About The Johnsons is an American short psychological horror film released in 2011.
The Strange Thing About The Johnsons cast features Billy Mayo, Angela Bullock, and Brandon Greenhouse, playing members of a family living in the suburbs. In the film, the father is stuck in an abusive and incestuous relationship with his son.
Aster created this short film as his thesis as a student at the AFI Conservatory. It was first shown at various film festivals in 2011, starting at the Slamdance Film Festival in Utah on 22nd January. Unfortunately, The Strange Thing About The Johnsons full movie leaked online in November of the same year and quickly gained popularity.
Before starting his studies at AFI, Aster created the story while discussing taboo subjects with friends, including Greenhouse. He collaborated with other students from the school on the production.
Audiences and critics had mixed feelings about Strange thing about the Johnsons because of the movie’s controversial themes. However, Bullock and Mayo received praise for their acting performances.
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The Strange Thing About The Johnsons Plot
This section will give you a brief overview of The Strange Thing About The Johnsons plot. You should also watch The Strange Thing About The Johnsons trailer to understand the story better.
The Strange Thing About The Johnsons movie plot starts in 1995, with Sidney Johson walking on his son Isiah and pleasuring himself. As a good father, he apologizes to Isiah, unaware that he was masturbating to a photo of Sidney as a young man.
Fast forward to 2009, during Isaiah’s wedding to Marianne, Joan, Sidney’s wife and Isaiah’s mother, catches Isaiah secretly giving a blowjob to distressed Sidney. Although disturbed, Joan attempts to regain her composure.
Later that evening, while Joan is in the shower, Sidney places a typed memoir titled “Cocoon Man: Confessions by Sidney Johnson” under Joan’s pillow. This memoir recounts Sidney’s struggles with his son sexually abusing him. Isaiah finds it and instructs Sidney not to make any more copies.
Based on The Strange Thing About The Johnsons summary, Isaiah’s erratic behavior started after a New Year’s Eve party. That evening, while Sidney is in the bath, Isaiah forcefully enters and sexually assaults him. Despite hearing Sidney’s screams, Joan increases the volume of the television.
The following day, Sidney tries to escape from the house with a copy of Cocoon Man but reencounters Isaiah, who manipulates him. To flee, Sidney runs out on the street and gets hit by an approaching van, losing his life.
The Strange Thing About The Johnsons reddit – Following Sidney’s funeral, Joan decides to talk to Isaiah, suspecting that the abuse began a decade ago during his prom night, recalling how Sidney cried for hours afterward. Isaiah dismisses Joan’s speculation as delusional, and she accuses him of being Sidney’s killer. This triggered Isaiah to lash out at Joan. He even proclaimed that he loved Sidney more than Joan.
In a fit of rage, Isaiah tries to kill Joan, forcing her to stab him with a knife in self-defense. Joan fights back as he tries to move her head into the fireplace. In the end, she kills him with a fire iron. The scene ends with Joan throwing the copy of Cocoon Man into the flames.
You got it for those looking for The Strange Thing About The Johnsons explained. You should watch The Strange Thing About The Johnsons trailer to get a sneak peek into the movie.
The Strange Thing About The Johnsons Cast
After going through the above paragraphs, you have an idea about The Strange Thing About The Johnsons – 2011 film plot. Now let’s shift our attention to The Strange Thing About The Johnsons cast. Despite the disturbing plot and script, the actors portrayed the characters well.
The Strange Thing About The Johnsons cast includes:
- Billy Mayo as Sidney Johnson
- Brandon Greenhouse as Isaiah Johnson
- Stanley Bennett Clay as Howard
- Carlon Jeffery as Young Isaiah
- Angela Bullock as Joan Johnson
- Connie Jackson as Grace
- Danièle Watts as Marianne
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What Happened After The Strange Thing About The Johnsons Went Online?
The strange things about the Johnsons quickly became popular after it was taken online. But its controversial topics also sparked mixed reactions from audiences and critics.
Ivan Kander from the Short of the Week website mentioned that the comments on YouTube ranged from highly positive to extremely negative, which indicates that The Strange Thing About The Johnsons plot is getting a lot of attention online.
The Strange Thing About The Johnsons Netflix also caused controversy because it was made by a white filmmaker and featured an African-American family. In response, the filmmaker, Aster, stated that the family’s race wasn’t the main focus. He admitted that they knew casting black actors in a film with controversial themes might cause controversy, but they ultimately decided to go ahead despite some people advising against it.
Malcolm Harris, an African-American who has experienced abuse, praised Mayo’s performance in an article for The Huffington Post. He commended the film for bravely asking, “What if these bizarre things were happening in ordinary families like the Smiths, the Mortimers, the Rosenbergs, the Herreras?”
The Strange Thing About The Johnsons – Production Details
By now, you should have a good idea about Something strange about the Johnsons movie. We will share the film’s production details in this section.
Something strange about the Johnsons was a thesis film made by Aster during his time at the AFI Conservatory film school. The film’s concept emerged from discussions with friends about taboo subjects before Aster’s first year at AFI.
The truth about the Johnsons was shot using 35 mm film. Aster described the screenplay as challenging as it was difficult to get approved. This was mainly because AFI focused on Hollywood and promoted Oscar-worthy and politically correct films to its students. Despite the issues, Aster was successful in making the film.
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Final Words
Though The Strange Thing About The Johnsons is a psychological horror drama, it differs from the movies you have watched. It consists of disturbing and controversial themes, including an incestual relationship between a father and his son. While the movie was created as a thesis film by Ari Aster, it can be watched online.
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FAQs
What happened in the bathroom scene in The Strange Thing About The Johnsons?
In the bathroom scene in the movie, Isaiah rapes Sidney in the bathtub. As Isaiah breaks down the bathroom door, the film quickly shifts to Joan watching TV, attempting to drown out Sidney’s screams by raising the volume.
What was the point of The Strange Thing About The Johnsons?
The Strange Thing About The Johnsons is a pitch-black satire about a helpless father who decides to finally reveal his family’s dark secret – that his son has been sexually assaulting him for years.
Is The Strange Thing About The Johnsons a true story?
The Strange Thing About The Johnsons is not a true story.
What happened on prom night in The Strange Thing About The Johnsons?
After Sidney’s funeral, Joan decides to talk to Isaiah, speculating that the abuse started years ago during his prom night.
What happens at the end of The Strange Thing About The Johnsons?
Sidney dies in an accident after getting hit by a van. After his funeral, Joan decides to talk to Isaiah, demanding to know the truth. She is then forced to kill him in self-defense as he attempts to murder her.
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