It would have been intriguing to film "Josie" in black-and-white, as the film could have been a throwback to film noir. But, as a color film, there was a realistic aura to the tawdry rooms at the Pink Motel, dilapidated vehicles, and half-emptied whiskey bottles. Because the screenplay lacked pizazz, the film atmosphere might have given "Josie" a much needed boost.

The star of the show is Dylan McDermott as a poor schlub named Hank. He formerly worked in a prison as a guard assisting with executions of death row inmates in Huntsville, Texas. But because he has a conscience, he is haunted by one the victims who was proven innocent following his execution. Now, "Hanky Panky" (as one of his fellow residents calls him) is working as a parking guard at a local high school, where the students apparently taunt him.

When young Josie (Sophie Turner) arrives at the low-rent Pink Motel, Hank's life changes when she takes an interest in him. Is she sincere? Or, is she a femme fatale out of film noir? Turner does a good job in keeping Hank (and the audience) guessing about her character. She never looks like a high school student. But that may have been an intentional choice on the part of the filmmakers.

The film turns on a single scene where there is a startling revelation. The moment is unexpected and cleverly designed by the director. While "Josie' is not an innovative film, it was nonetheless watchable and well-performed by the two leads.

Pun maybe intended - having seen so much of Sophie Turner (though it boils down to GoT and X-Men) I was not expecting to see her in a low budget thriller like this. And while there is no nudity to speak of, she plays quite the sexual charged individual. Also there is a scene where you can overhear ... a sexual encounter or whatever you want to call it. Not sure if that is something of interest for you, but now know.

Having said all that, the movie is quite slow paced - and has quite the interesting and in my opinion very strong ending ... a shame the rest of the movie did not quite live up to that. Dylan McDermott also delivers the goods and I reckon quite a few viewers will feel for and with him - most of the time. A decent thriller, very well shot.

I refuse to tolerate a revenge story where a girl goes out to avenge her father who was wrongfully sentenced to death by torturing and murdering every random person involved with it. The whole point of this movie is that Turner is trying to manipulate and kill McDermott because he's the dude that actually flipped the switch on her dad. Look girl, that guy? He's just punching a clock. He didn't put your dad there, he doesn't know the particulars of anything, he's literally just there to do the deed so take this sanctimonious nonsense and shove it. And screw this movie for trying to make me sympathize with this psycho.