Josie 2018

In the town of Baymont, which curiously isn’t located in Texas, we meet Hank who resides at the Pink Motel, where he dedicates his time caring for a couple of tortoises. An avid fisherman, Hank often parks in front of the local high school, sharing unsolicited advice with students about where not to park. Contrary to any misconceptions, he has no children attending the school, nor does he exhibit any creepy behavior; it just seems to be his peculiar role.

Strangely enough, Hank frequently glimpses a menacing figure dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, which adds a layer of mystery to his character. One day, a spirited teenager named Josie moves into the motel. She has been informed by Romero, a local landscaper, that Hank is a strong man who would assist her in settling in. With her long blonde hair and penchant for short shorts, except by the pool where she dons a swimsuit, Josie portrays a rebellious spirit.

During her stay, Josie concocts three different stories about the reason for her move. In one, she claims her parents will join her later, a notion that seems odd since school is about to finish. In another tale, she states that her father serves in the military in Germany while her mother accompanied him, although she didn’t want to follow. The third version reveals that her single mother has passed away.

At the local high school, Josie finds herself in Ms. Elkins’ class where she sits next to Marcus, a student who shows interest in her, and she reciprocates those feelings. However, their partnership for a class project raises the ire of Marcus’ friend Gator, who had hoped to team up with him instead.

Unexpectedly, Marcus arrives at the motel for their project only to discover that the unwanted parking monitor is also present. Following a night of petty vandalism where Hank’s truck is damaged—though it’s unclear if Marcus was behind it—he expresses his concerns about Hank, whose mysterious past has led some to speculate about alleged crimes.

Permanent residents at the motel, Gordie and Martha, have a somewhat unclear role in managing the establishment. While Martha is friendly, she has a knack for meddling in the lives of others when she’s alone with Gordie, who often makes insensitive jokes at Hank’s expense, including the nickname “Hanky-Panky.” Despite his jests, Gordie also pressures Romero for proof of legal residency, although Romero claims to have been born in El Paso.

Martha invites Josie to a Memorial Day cookout, prompting Josie to extend an invitation to Hank, who is generally anti-social and disinterested in communal gatherings. To amuse Hank, Josie creates a tortoise race course, much to the delight of those present, with Francine as the victor. Surprisingly, Hank and Gordie develop a stronger friendship. However, after a night out with her school friends, Josie returns to the motel inebriated.

As Marcus continues to visit the motel, his intentions go beyond academic collaboration, prompting Hank to take a protective stance reminiscent of a father figure. This dynamic prompts Martha to confront Hank, expressing her discomfort if this stems from attraction. In a notable moment, Hank dresses nicely and brings flowers, only to find Marcus with Josie.

Hank then takes Josie to the marina, contemplating the purchase of a new boat, where he opens up about his troubled past working at the infamous Huntsville prison—one notorious for its execution rate. His role involved strapping down the condemned, including a man who was later proven innocent, a haunting experience that drove Hank away from that life.

In a vulnerable moment late one night, Josie and Hank engage in a thought-provoking conversation. While she admits her childhood teachings about Jesus were trivialized by her mother, Hank identifies as non-religious despite Josie’s intrigue. Seeking harmony between Marcus and Hank, Josie orchestrates a meeting which initially seems successful. However, as they share their hobbies—fishing for Hank and hunting for Marcus—the atmosphere turns tense after Hank seemingly passes out, leading to shocking visions confirming his darkest memories.

The narrative unfolds as Hank awakens, bound and confronted by Josie, who unveils her true identity and the haunting realities of her past involving her father’s wrongful execution. What begins as a search for closure morphs into a violent encounter as Josie exacts revenge, using Marcus’ knife to cut Hank’s throat.

In a mind-bending twist, Hank’s recollections coincide with the movie’s opening scene as police arrive to reveal the unraveling of Marcus’s fate; he is wrongfully implicated. The narrative hints that Josie’s identity is far more complex than initially presented.

Ultimately, the film circles back to Josie—now with short black hair—driving into the night, arriving at a bar where she seeks connections among a group of guards from Huntsville prison, all while dramatically highlighting her transformation and concealed motives.