Is it possible...? [Note: Spoiler]

You are indeed way off base. In no way did nor was it implied that Ned abused Josh (and so what if Ned was gay for one Josh was a little boy and for two Josh was his nephew I doubt Ned was an incest pedophile) Josh and Ned were close merely because they got along (both played the piano) Josh did love Ned but in the sense of a child loving a parent. Josh would rather have had Ned as a parent so he got rid of his parents to get this.

The first time I saw Ned I suspected that there was something creepy about him- NO, not because he's gay! I suspected that he had a too-cool manner about him that made him seem inauthentic, not-trustworthy! (yes, I have issues)

Ned's positive attitude in the closing scene, his refusal to address the psychotic babbling of Joshua and his contented attitude with the way things panned out left me totally convinced that they had a little something secret going on when nobody was looking.

I don't believe that people abuse children because they're gay, but I know that abusers come in all shapes and sizes- straight and gay alike.

An issue that was nevery addressed is that of Josh's infancy. His inconsolable crying- his mother and that video camera- and those words, what were they, "nobody will every love you"? The same thing he was saying to Lilly. He heard that somewhere, didn't he?

I'm not big on horror flicks, but the psychology in this one kept my attention. I'm thankful that the writer and director left some things open for the imagination.

On a personal note- I HATE the caricature of the mother-in-law. It's a shame that evangelical christianity has to be portrayed this way so often by Hollywood. Believers in Jesus Christ aren't all whacko, irrational, kooks like she was- though I can't deny their existence! 

"Anyone agree / completely disagree / see other signs throughout the movie that suggest this could be a valid assessment?"

Seriously, that's the beauty of this movie. That it does hint alot that this might or might not be a possibility.
-The multiple drawings that Joshua had could very well mean he was being abused. That it wasn't a one-shot-deal act that he put on for the social worker who visited.
-The bruises on his lower back (though not impossible) would be very difficult to do to yourself. Yet this does not necessarily mean that it's Ned that's abusing him but someone might be. It makes you question whether Joshua really is this monster or a victim of abuse who's acting out.
-There was also always a feel that there was a disturbingly close (perhaps even sexual) relationship between Joshua and uncle Ned. I know I sensed it.

Basically, throughout the movie I struggled with whether Joshua is our hero or our villain and IMO it was still never fully revealed. I happen to like the way this movie messed with our heads. Like I said earlier, that was the beauty of it.

I got the feeling throughout the whole movie that there was something weird in Joshua and Ned's relationship. It has nothing to do with Ned being gay. It was just "off". Ned may not have known about Joshua's plans, as is evidenced in the last scene, but he doesn't seem particularly upset about the way things are going.
Little Lilly better learn to walk soon, and run the hell away from that family! Talk about dysfunctional.


You know the sound of wind rushing through treetops? That's my signature.

Joshua was not sexually abused by his gay uncle. Yes, his uncle was around in the movie. His sister JUST had another baby and he knew what a wreck she was for the first one. Then she gets hurt and has to spend time with her mother-in-law, that she doesn't even get along with. He did get along with her and even took her out. He was just being a good brother/brother-in-law/uncle/human being.

Yes, Joshua is very mature for his age. He's probably close to genius level. The teacher was going to recommend him skipping two grades. Most sociopaths are very intelligent. They have to be in order to survive. This has nothing to do with any abuse or inappropriate relationship with his uncle.

The uncle singing no one ever called him daddy was a joke, a gay joke that wasn't meant for Joshua to understand. If it was an inside joke, it was between the audience and the uncle.

The lyrics of the song saying that he only wanted to be with you [the uncle], that was because at the time, he wanted to be with him. The minute his uncle tries to "save him" or protect the baby sister over him, Joshua would probably get rid of him and choose the next person to be with. It was his pattern. The movie shows him trying to get rid of the mother, grand mother and sister so he could have the father to himself. He then moved to the uncle. Trust me, there would be another and another whenever he felt disappointed by them.

The other pictures at the end don't show evidence of him being abused. They show his true sociopath nature. That's why they were hidden. The one he draws for the child psychologist was a setup. He did his homework and knew what to draw to fool her.

Your comment that Joshua not liking sports being an indication that he might be gay is just insulting. I'm sure you didn't mean it that way, but your whole post seems to be demonizing the gay uncle for some reason. He's not responsible for Joshua being the way he is. His stupid, STRAIGHT, parents are. The gay uncle showed nothing but love, support and genuine interest in his life.

There are other posts regarding thoughts about this movie that better explains each and every scene. I recommend you look through those for better answers than what you came up with. I apologize if I'm coming across harshly; I just can't get over that you may actually be blaming the uncle just because he's gay. When in all actuality, the uncle will most-likely become Joshua's next victim.

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I'm gay, but throughout the film I wondered if Ned was abusing Joshua (and I didn't think about those drawings - very interesting!).

... But the final scene is almost proof that Ned is innocent.

... Also, Ned once makes a comment to his sister about letting Joshua go out on his own. If he really wanted to abuse Joshua, he'd probably want Joshua more to himself.