What Is Joshua About?
The premise of Joshua in 310 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the quiet, unassuming town of Auburn, life has always moved at a slow, familiar rhythm—farmers tending fields, church bells marking Sunday, and whispered conversations drifting through the local diner. Lately, that rhythm has been punctuated by an undercurrent of expectation, as rumors of a possible second coming have taken hold. The townspeople, caught between reverence and skepticism, find themselves quietly watching the horizon, wondering whether the promised messenger will appear in their midst.
When the enigmatic Joshua arrives, his mere presence seems to tilt the balance of the community. He takes up residence in an old barn, his demeanor both humble and unsettling, prompting those around him to ask silent questions about miracles, destiny, and the nature of hope. Among the curious onlookers are the steadfast local priest, who guards his congregation’s faith, and Joan Casey, a pragmatic resident whose life has been shaped by hard work and practicality. Their interactions with the newcomer ripple outward, turning everyday encounters into moments charged with an almost palpable sense of the unknown.
The film settles into a tone that is at once reverent and uneasy, blending the pastoral charm of small‑town America with an ethereal undercurrent that suggests something larger is at work. Cinematography lingers on sun‑splashed fields and weathered storefronts, while a subtle score underscores the tension between ordinary life and the possibility of the extraordinary. This atmosphere invites the audience to feel the weight of collective yearning without ever spelling out the source of that yearning.
As Auburn’s residents navigate their doubts and hopes, the story asks what it truly means to believe in a savior—and what lies on the other side of faith when it is tested. The community must grapple with the question of whether the stranger is a genuine miracle or a fleeting illusion, a dilemma that keeps the town poised on the brink of revelation.
What Happens in Joshua?
The complete story of Joshua, from the first scene to the last, in 504 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 1 cast member page.
Spoilers ahead
Joshua, portrayed by Tony Goldwyn, arrives in the quiet town of Auburn and quietly begins to alter the lives of everyone he meets simply by being around them. The town, filled with small rituals and familiar faces, watches this enigmatic newcomer with a mix of curiosity and caution as he makes his presence felt in subtle, undeniable ways.
He settles into a barn he rents from Joan Casey, using it as both his home and a woodcarving shop. The building itself feels almost buoyant in his hands: the roof, which has long suffered from holes, surprisingly does not leak after Joshua moves in, a detail that many locals take as a sign or a mystery rather than a fluke. This small unexplainable phenomenon adds to the aura surrounding him and invites questions about who he is and what he intends to do with the space he inhabits.
As time passes, Joshua’s actions accumulate into a distinctive, almost ceremonial rhythm. He pulls a massive ash log—several people estimate its weight at well over 300 pounds—through town and out to his barn, drawing admiring gasps and whispered speculation from onlookers. The ash theme recurs in his work, culminating in a commission from Father Tordone to carve a statue of the Apostle Peter; Joshua insists the statue should be made of ash, claiming that he “knows Peter.” The local priest’s astonishment grows alongside his curiosity, and the sense that the town may be witnessing something beyond ordinary skill becomes stronger with every new encounter.
In the weeks that follow, Joshua leans into acts of service, offering practical help to those in need while inviting reciprocal kindness from the people he assists. His involvement with the Baptist Church—rebuilding it with the support of townsfolk who are eager to lend a hand—begins to knit a broader community around him. His approach to healing and restoration extends beyond physical structures; during a Tent Revival, he confronts a con artist who is swindling congregants by feigning divine healing. Joshua steps forward with a calm authority, challenging the deception and demonstrating genuine compassion for the vulnerable in the crowd.
The confrontation reaches into a moment of dramatic intervention: when a blind woman sits in the audience, Joshua performs a decisive act that restores her sight, underscoring the sense that something extraordinary is unfolding in Auburn. The moment lands with a mixture of awe and trepidation, reminding the town that miracles are not easily dismissed and may carry consequences as they ripple through everyday life.
Father Tordone’s suspicions intensify as the events unfold, pushing him to seek outside intervention and even to appeal to the Vatican for guidance. The stakes grow clearer as the Catholic Church becomes increasingly involved, particularly after Joshua performs a resurrection that jolts the community and forces religious authorities to take a closer look. That extraordinary act marks a turning point, convincing church leaders to invite Joshua to Rome to account for what is happening and to determine what, if anything, this powerful presence means for the wider world.
Joshua Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Joshua arrives in Auburn and rents a barn” to “Path toward Rome and the next chapter”. 12 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Joshua arrives in Auburn and rents a barn
A mysterious man named Joshua appears in the small town of Auburn and takes up residence in a barn he rents from Joan Casey, turning it into his home and woodcarving shop. He settles in as neighbors watch curiously as he goes about his days. Interestingly, the barn’s roof does not leak despite many holes, hinting at something unusual about him.
When:Day 1 Where:Auburn
- 2
Joshua hauls a massive ash log through town
To the town’s astonishment, Joshua carries a huge ash log, estimated at around 300 pounds, from the outskirts into his barn. The feat draws crowds and marks his arrival as a spectacle rather than a quiet arrival. His presence and strength begin to generate a growing rumor mill about who he is and what he will do.
When:Early days Where:Auburn streets
- 3
Rebuilding the Baptist Church
Joshua begins by rebuilding the Baptist Church, which had been destroyed in a previous storm. As he works, locals rally around the project and contribute in whatever way they can, inspired by his example. The church’s restoration becomes a symbol of the town’s shifting faith under his influence.
When:First weeks Where:Baptist Church, Auburn
- 4
Father Tordone commissions a statue of Peter
Father Tordone, the local Catholic priest, hires Joshua to carve a statue of the Apostle Peter. Joshua suggests the statue should be made of ash and claims that he ‘knows Peter,’ hinting at his uncanny insight. The commission deepens the contrast between Joshua’s methods and the town’s existing religious orders.
When:Early in the arrangement Where:Catholic Church, Auburn
- 5
A few weeks of mutual aid
Over the next weeks, Joshua helps anyone he meets, and in return they assist him with the church rebuild. This reciprocal exchange strengthens his ties to the townspeople and accelerates the restoration projects. The growing cooperation shows Joshua’s influence extending beyond mere miracles.
When:Weeks after arrival Where:Auburn and Baptist Church
- 6
Tent Revival interruption and healing
Joshua intervenes during a Tent Revival where a con artist is exploiting audiences with counterfeit healings. He tells the audience, 'You don't have to do it this way,' and proceeds to restore sight to a blind woman. The scene exposes the fraud and demonstrates Joshua’s healing power in contrast to the faker.
When:Midway Where:Tent Revival
- 7
Suspicion grows; Vatican may intervene
Father Tordone grows suspicious of Joshua's motives and attempts to persuade the Vatican to intervene before he gains a following or forms a cult. The town grows tense as church leaders debate Joshua's place in faith and authority. The conflict foreshadows a larger confrontation with established institutions.
When:After healing Where:Catholic Church, Auburn
- 8
Resurrection and renewed Vatican interest
The turning point comes when Joshua resurrects a man from the dead, a miracle that shocks the town. The Catholic Church takes a renewed interest in him and begins to see potential in his abilities. The resurrection becomes a catalyst for further attention from religious authorities.
When:Soon after the Tent Revival Where:Auburn (event in town)
- 9
Invitation to Rome
Following the resurrection, Catholic officials invite Joshua to Rome to discuss his abilities and the possibility of his place within the Church’s approach to miracles. The invitation marks a new chapter and a potential departure from Auburn. The town’s perception of him shifts as this opportunity looms.
When:After resurrection Where:Rome (Vatican)
- 10
Growing following and fear of a cult
As word spreads, Joshua attracts more followers and the town begins to notice. Some locals fear that his presence could grow into a cult or become a separatist movement within Auburn. The dynamics of faith, influence, and control become a central tension in the community.
When:During rising fame Where:Auburn
- 11
The barn as a symbol of change
Joshua’s barn becomes a symbol of transformation in Auburn, evolving from a simple workshop into the focal point of the town’s spiritual and social shifts. The odd miracles and the lack of leaks in a roof full of holes feed the sense that something extraordinary is happening. The space embodies the tension between wonder and doubt in the community.
When:Ongoing Where:Barn, Auburn
- 12
Path toward Rome and the next chapter
The invitation to Rome signals the next phase of Joshua’s journey and the town’s enduring curiosity about him. Whether he goes or stays, the invitation marks a pivot from local influence to global religious intrigue. The story builds toward what happens when a mysterious man steps beyond Auburn’s borders.
When:Upcoming Where:Rome
Who Are the Main Characters in Joshua?
2 characters, among them Joshua (Tony Goldwyn) and Father Tordone (F. Murray Abraham): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Joshua (Tony Goldwyn)
Played by Tony Goldwyn
A mysterious, soft-spoken man who arrives in Auburn and begins altering lives simply by being present. He exudes an unsettling calm and an uncanny competence, performing both acts of care and feats that feel like miracles. His motivations remain enigmatic, inviting both awe and caution in equal measure.
- 🔎 Enigmatic
- 🕊️ Spiritual
- 🛠️ Builder
- ✨ Transformative
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Father Tordone (F. Murray Abraham)
Played by F. Murray Abraham
A cautious Catholic priest who suspects Joshua's motives and fears the emergence of a potential cult. He embodies institutional religion's concern with control, tradition, and safeguarding communities from charismatic outsiders. His role brings the Vatican into the plot and heightens the clash between faith and authority.
- ✝️ Priest
- 🧠 Skeptic
- 🛡️ Authority
- ⚖️ Ethics
Where and When Is Joshua Set?
Joshua is set in Auburn. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The story unfolds in a contemporary rural setting, with references to local churches, carpentry, and a Vatican invitation that place the events in modern times. The atmosphere mixes everyday life with moments of inexplicable power, suggesting a present-day era where miracles intersect with skepticism. The pace centers on community life—work, worship, and word-of-mouth—rather than historical events or period detail.
Where
Auburn
Auburn is portrayed as a tight-knit, rural American town where locals share a common reliance on churches and communal help. Joshua takes up residence in a barn on the town's edge, turning it into his home and woodcarving shop. The community rallies as he rebuilds the Baptist Church and draws people to a series of transformative events, including a famous log-hauling display and a healing moment at a revival. The town's ordinary life becomes a backdrop for extraordinary changes, revealing the fragility and hope of a close community.
- 🏘️ Small town
- 🕊️ Religion
- 🪵 Woodworking
What Are the Themes of Joshua?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Faith, Miracle vs. Skepticism and Community & Transformation.
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01
Faith
Joshua's presence tests what people call faith, mixing miraculous acts with intimate human kindness. The town's trust shifts between established clergy and a mysterious outsider, creating a tension between creed and experience. The narrative questions whether faith is about spectacular signs or the daily acts of care that bind a community, and whether miracles affirm or destabilize belief. Ultimately the story invites viewers to consider how faith is practiced when doubt and devotion collide.
-
02
Miracle vs. Skepticism
A healing at a Tent Revival and the resurrection of a man force the town to confront questions of authenticity. A con artist's ruse is exposed, highlighting the fine line between genuine wonder and manipulation. The Catholic Church's involvement adds institutional scrutiny, suggesting that true miracles resist easy categorization. The tension pushes characters to discern whether remarkable events are signs of grace or instruments of control.
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03
Community & Transformation
Joshua's practical help in rebuilding institutions dissolves the town's fear of change and invites collective action. Neighbors who once kept to themselves start cooperating to rebuild the church and support one another. The town's moral fabric is tested and ultimately reshaped by shared effort and wonder. The transformation raises questions about leadership, belonging, and what a community owes to outsiders who arrive with a purpose bigger than themselves.
What Kind of Film Is Joshua?
Hopeful in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Hopeful
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A contemplative and mysterious drama that steadily builds a sense of awe and suspense as a small town grapples with the possibility of miracles, balancing skepticism with hopeful wonder.
- mysterious
- contemplative
- miraculous
- hopeful
- suspenseful
- faith-driven
- faith and doubt
- miracles
- messianic figure
- small town
Quiz
How well do you remember Joshua? Test yourself on the story.
