The Strange Things About The Johnsons - An Unsettling Look

12 Jul, 2025

For anyone who has ever felt a shiver of unease about what goes on behind closed doors, the moving picture story known as "The Strange Things About The Johnsons" offers a rather unsettling glimpse. This short piece of cinema, which first came out in 2011, really does pull back the curtain on a family that seems, at first glance, just like any other. It’s a work that has, in some respects, left a lasting mark on many who have seen it, making them ponder the hidden aspects of family life.

This particular film, a psychological tale meant to cause a bit of fright, was put together by Ari Aster. You know, the same person who later brought us those other very well-known and quite disturbing features. This earlier effort, which was his final project for school, truly started a lot of conversations and, quite honestly, became something of a sensation on the internet as the years went by. It’s a very intense look at the ties that bind people together, and also the ties that, perhaps, should not be there at all.

It’s a story that centers on a family called the Johnsons, and their seemingly typical daily existence. Yet, as the story unfolds, a feeling of deep discomfort slowly starts to creep in, making the viewer feel a little bit off-balance. This short film, you see, digs into some really dark family matters, showing how certain bonds can be twisted and how things can go terribly wrong within the confines of a home. It features actors like Billy Mayo, Brandon Greenhouse, Angela Bullock, and Danièle Watts, all bringing this unusual story to life.

Ari Aster - The Person Who Guided the Making of The Strange Things About The Johnsons
What Makes The Strange Things About The Johnsons So Unforgettable?
The Family at the Heart of The Strange Things About The Johnsons
How Did The Strange Things About The Johnsons Come to Be?
The Disturbing Truth in The Strange Things About The Johnsons
The Impact of The Strange Things About The Johnsons on Viewers
Where Can One See The Strange Things About The Johnsons?
Is The Strange Things About The Johnsons Based on Actual Happenings?

Ari Aster - The Person Who Guided the Making of The Strange Things About The Johnsons

Ari Aster, the creative mind behind "The Strange Things About The Johnsons," is a person whose work often digs into the more uncomfortable parts of human connections and family units. This short picture, which came out in 2011, was a very early look at the kind of stories he would later tell on a bigger scale. It’s almost like a first step into the kind of unsettling, psychological stories that have become his signature style. You know, he has a way of making you feel a deep sense of dread without relying on typical jump scares.

He put this film together as his final project while he was studying at the American Film Institute's graduate school. It was, in a way, his chance to show what he could do, and it certainly made an impression. This particular piece of work, for many, showed that he had a unique vision for storytelling, especially when it came to things that are truly disturbing. His later, more widely known movies really do build on the foundations he laid with this earlier, shorter work, exploring similar themes of family breakdown and hidden horrors.

The reception for "The Strange Things About The Johnsons" was, you might say, quite strong, especially online. It turned into something that people talked about a lot, sharing it and discussing its unsettling content. This early success, or perhaps notoriety, really did set the stage for his later career, where he continued to push boundaries and explore the darker sides of human experience. It just goes to show how much impact a short piece of art can have, particularly when it touches on universal, albeit uncomfortable, truths.

Personal Details - Ari Aster

Born	July 15, 1986
Place of Birth	New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Filmmaker
Known For	"Hereditary," "Midsommar," "Beau is Afraid"
Education	American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory

What Makes The Strange Things About The Johnsons So Unforgettable?

So, what exactly is it about "The Strange Things About The Johnsons" that makes it stick with people long after they’ve watched it? Well, it’s not really about monsters jumping out or loud noises. Instead, it’s the quiet, creeping sense of wrongness that truly gets under your skin. The film starts by showing a family that seems, on the surface, quite normal. You see a father who is a well-known poet, a mother who is very devoted to her home and family, and a son who appears quite charming and has just gotten married. This normal front is what makes the eventual reveal so much more shocking, you see.

The way the story slowly lets out its dark secret is a big part of its lasting effect. It doesn't rush things, allowing that feeling of unease to grow bit by bit. You begin to notice small things that feel a little off, and then the full, awful truth comes out, which is something very hard to shake off. This gradual uncovering of the deep, hidden problem within the family unit is what makes the film a truly psychological experience. It’s almost like watching a slow-motion car crash, where you know something bad is coming but can’t quite look away.

The film’s power also comes from how it plays with what we expect from family stories. Usually, family is a place of comfort and safety, but this film turns that idea completely on its head. It shows how the closest bonds can also be the source of the deepest pain and abuse. This kind of dark domestic drama, focusing on the ties that truly bind people in the most unsettling ways, is what gives "The Strange Things About The Johnsons" its particular kind of lasting impact. It really does challenge your ideas about what a family should be.

The Family at the Heart of The Strange Things About The Johnsons

At the core of "The Strange Things About The Johnsons" is, naturally, the Johnson family itself. We meet Sidney, the father, who is portrayed as a famous poet, someone known and loved for his kind and gentle nature. Then there’s Joan, the mother, who is presented as a very focused homemaker, dedicated to her family and household. And, of course, there’s Isaiah, the son, a young man who comes across as very charming and has recently entered into marriage. On the surface, they appear to be a picture of a successful, loving family, you know, the kind you might see in a magazine.

However, the film quickly makes it clear that this outward appearance is just a thin layer covering something much darker. Isaiah Johnson, played by Brandon Greenhouse, is actually the source of the deep trouble within this family. He is shown to be doing things that are incredibly wrong, especially towards his own father. The film starts to hint at this very early on, even showing Isaiah in his room doing something quite disturbing with a picture in his hand. This initial scene, for many, sets the tone for the unsettling revelations that follow.

The story focuses on how this one terrible secret has been going on for years, hidden from the outside world. The father, Sidney, has been suffering in silence, being sexually assaulted and abused by his own son behind closed doors. This shocking truth is the central point of the film, and it’s what gives "The Strange Things About The Johnsons" its very heavy and disturbing nature. It’s a story that explores the ultimate betrayal within a family, showing how love and trust can be twisted into something truly horrifying. The performances by Billy Mayo as Sidney and Brandon Greenhouse as Isaiah really do bring this painful dynamic to life.

How Did The Strange Things About The Johnsons Come to Be?

So, how did this unsettling film, "The Strange Things About The Johnsons," actually come into existence? Well, it started as a project for school. Ari Aster, the person who wrote the story and guided the making of the film, created it as his final piece of work while he was a student at the American Film Institute’s graduate program. It was his chance, in a way, to show off his storytelling abilities and his unique perspective on what makes a story truly disturbing. This background, you know, as a student film, makes its impact even more remarkable.

The film, which was released in 2011, quickly found its way to a wider audience, especially online. It didn't take long for "The Strange Things About The Johnsons" to become a viral sensation. People started sharing it, talking about it, and trying to make sense of its very difficult themes. This widespread sharing helped it gain a lot of attention, even years before Ari Aster would shock the world with his later, longer feature films like "Hereditary" and "Midsommar." It’s pretty amazing how a short film, made for a school assignment, could capture so much public interest and discussion.

The fact that it was a thesis film means it was a very personal and focused effort, allowing Aster to explore themes that clearly interested him deeply. It was a chance to experiment with tone, pacing, and how to create a feeling of dread without relying on typical scary movie tricks. The attention to detail in portraying the seemingly normal family life, only to slowly peel back the layers to reveal something truly awful, shows a very deliberate approach to filmmaking. This foundational work really did set the stage for the kind of director he would become, someone known for crafting stories that stay with you for a very long time.

The Disturbing Truth in The Strange Things About The Johnsons

The central, very upsetting truth at the core of "The Strange Things About The Johnsons" is something that, for many, is hard to fully grasp. The film gradually reveals that Sidney, the father and husband, has been suffering immensely. His own beloved son, Isaiah, has been sexually assaulting him and, in a way, abusing him behind closed doors for a long time, for years, in fact. This revelation is the very point of the film, the dark heart that explains all the unease and the strange atmosphere that builds throughout the story. It's a truly shocking betrayal, you know, within the closest of family bonds.

This hidden abuse is what makes the film a psychological horror piece. It’s not about ghosts or monsters in the traditional sense, but about the monsters that can exist within a family unit, wearing familiar faces. The film delves into the pain and secrecy that such a situation would create, showing how it affects the victim and the entire family dynamic, even if others are not fully aware of the specifics. The way it’s presented, with a slow build-up of tension and a focus on the characters' strained interactions, makes the ultimate reveal even more impactful. It's a very difficult subject, handled with a kind of unflinching gaze.

The film, in essence, explores the idea of familial ties that bind people together, but then it also looks at the ties that, in a very unsettling way, truly bind them to something awful. It's a dark domestic drama that forces viewers to confront the idea that appearances can be very deceiving, and that the most disturbing things can happen in the most seemingly normal places. The performances, particularly from Billy Mayo as Sidney, convey the profound suffering and the quiet desperation of someone trapped in such a terrible situation. It’s a very raw and honest portrayal of a truly awful secret.

The Impact of The Strange Things About The Johnsons on Viewers

The impact of "The Strange Things About The Johnsons" on people who watch it is, you might say, quite significant and often lasting. Many viewers report feeling a deep sense of unease and discomfort long after the credits roll. This isn't the kind of film you easily forget; it tends to stay with you, prompting thoughts about what goes on behind closed doors in seemingly normal homes. It really does challenge one's assumptions about family and safety, which is a big part of its power. The film's ability to create such a strong emotional response is, for many, a sign of its effectiveness.

The discussions that arose from "The Strange Things About The Johnsons" becoming a viral sensation also speak to its impact. People were, and still are, compelled to talk about it, to try and understand its themes, and to process the disturbing nature of its content. This kind of conversation, you know, around a piece of art that tackles such difficult subjects, shows that it hit a nerve. It forces a look at uncomfortable truths that are often pushed aside, making viewers think about the darker side of human relationships and family secrets. It's almost like a shared experience of confronting something truly unsettling.

For many, this film served as an early introduction to Ari Aster's unique approach to making movies, showing his talent for crafting psychological stories that rely on atmosphere and character rather than typical scares. The fact that it was his thesis film and still managed to generate such a strong reaction suggests a very clear vision from the start. It leaves a mark because it doesn't offer easy answers or simple resolutions; instead, it presents a stark, unflinching look at a very disturbing situation, leaving the viewer to grapple with its implications. It’s a film that, in a way, demands your attention and then leaves you thinking.

Where Can One See The Strange Things About The Johnsons?

For those who are curious to experience "The Strange Things About The Johnsons" for themselves, finding a way to watch it is actually quite possible. Since its release in 2011, and its subsequent rise as a viral sensation, the film has become available on various platforms. You can often discover different ways to stream it, or find services where you can rent it for a short time, or even purchase it to keep. Moviefone, for example, is one place where you can check for streaming choices, rental places, and links to buy this moving picture story. It’s quite accessible, you know, for a film that has gained such a reputation.

The ease of access has certainly contributed to its enduring popularity and its status as a topic of discussion among film fans. The fact that it can be watched at home means more people have had the chance to immerse themselves in its unsettling world. This availability allows for a more personal and, in some respects, intense viewing experience, as you can watch it in your own space, perhaps even alone, which might make its psychological elements feel even stronger. It’s a film that thrives on a quiet, focused viewing, and its presence on these platforms helps that happen.

So, if you’re looking to understand what all the talk is about, or if you’re interested in seeing Ari Aster’s early work, finding "The Strange Things About The Johnsons" shouldn't be too much of a challenge. A quick search on common movie-watching sites will likely point you in the right direction. Just be prepared for a film that doesn't shy away from difficult subjects and aims to create a deep sense of discomfort rather than cheap thrills. It's a very specific kind of experience, and its accessibility helps more people find it.

Is The Strange Things About The Johnsons Based on Actual Happenings?

A question that often comes up about "The Strange Things About The Johnsons" is whether it is based on something that actually happened in real life. It’s a very natural thing to wonder, especially given how raw and disturbing the story feels. However, the information available clearly states that this film is not based on a true story. It is a work of fiction, created by Ari Aster as part of his studies and his exploration of difficult themes. So, you know, while it feels incredibly real and unsettling, the specific events and characters are not drawn from actual life events.

Despite not being a true story, the film's power comes from its ability to tap into very real human fears and anxieties about family, secrets, and abuse. Even though the plot is made up, the feelings it creates and the themes it explores are deeply rooted in human experience. This is often the case with psychological horror; it doesn't need to be based on facts to feel intensely real and to provoke strong reactions. It’s almost like it touches on universal, unspoken fears that many people might have, even if they don't consciously acknowledge them.

The fact that it’s a fictional piece also gives the creator, Ari Aster, the freedom to explore these very dark ideas without the constraints of real-world events. He can craft a narrative that builds tension and reveals its shocking truth in a way that serves the story's purpose. So, while the specific events of "The Strange Things About The Johnsons" are not something that occurred, the feelings of dread, betrayal, and the hidden pain within a family are, unfortunately, very real parts of the human condition that the film brings to light. It’s a testament to the storytelling that it feels so authentic, even as a made-up tale.

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The Strange Thing About the Johnsons - TheTVDB.com

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