''Johnny Frank Garrett's Last Word'' is a 2016 American

horror thriller Thriller film, also known as suspense film or suspense thriller, is a broad film genre that evokes excitement and suspense in the audience. The suspense element found in most films' plots is particularly exploited by the filmmaker in this genre. ...

film directed by Simon Rumley. It is a work of fiction based on the Jesse Quackenbush documentary '' The Last Word'', about the trial, conviction, and execution of a Texas man,

Johnny Frank Garrett Johnny Frank Garrett (December 24, 1963 – February 11, 1992) was a death row prisoner executed by the State of Texas. Includes scan of original inmate record cover page. Murder of Benz Garrett was accused of the murder of a Catholic nun that t ...

. It played at the 2016 South by Southwest Midnighters, Festival Favorites, Shorts Programs and Special Events lineup Harvey, Dennis.
SXSW Film Review: ‘Johnny Frank Garrett’s Last Word’
" ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

''. March 15, 2016. Retrieved on March 22, 2016.

Plot

On Halloween night 1981, Catholic nun Tadea Benz is brutally murdered. In a rush to judgment, law enforcement in Amarillo, Texas feel pressured to solve the case quickly amidst widespread panic and lynch mob anger. Soon a suspect emerges as 18-year-old Johnny Frank Garrett is arrested and put on trial. Overlooking evidence that could have cleared his name, the jury passes swift judgment and Garrett is convicted and sentenced to death. From the time of his arrest until his dying breath Garrett professes his innocence, and following the execution a letter is found in his cell, promising retribution and cursing the souls of anyone connected with his demise. Within weeks after his execution, Johnny's terrifying prophecy is unleashed as a series of unexplained deaths strike down those involved in the cover-up. As the list of victims grows, it is left to one conscience-stricken juror to exonerate Johnny and break his curse before it’s too late…

Cast

Sean Patrick Flanery Sean Patrick Flanery (born October 11, 1965) is an American actor, author, and martial artist. He is known for playing Connor MacManus in ''The Boondock Saints'' (1999) and its sequel ''The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day'' (2009), Greg Still ...

as District Attorney Danny Hill *

Erin Cummings Erin Lynn Cummings is an American actress and online film pundit. She has appeared in the television series, ''Charmed'', ''Dante's Cove'', ''The Bold and the Beautiful'', ''Cold Case'', ''Dollhouse'', '' Spartacus: Blood and Sand'', and ''Detr ...

as Lara Redman *

Mike Doyle Michael, Mick or Mike Doyle may refer to: Politics * Michael Doyle (Irish politician), Irish Farmers' Party politician from Wexford, TD from 1922 to 1927 *Michael Doyle, alleged member of the Molly Maguires *Mike Doyle (American politician) (born ...

as Adam Redman * Sue Rock as Harmony * Jon Michael Davis as Doctor Andrews * Cassie Shea Watson as Kathy Jones * Mike Gassaway as Harold Pinkman *

Julia Lashae Julia Lashae (born Julia Louise Lawshae; July 22, 1969) is an American actress An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in mo ...

as Juror #3 * Holt Boggs as Impassioned Man * Chip Joslin as Attendant * Arthur Richardson as Chago * Jon Arthur as Police Chief * Bill Stinchcomb as Prison Guard * Dodge Prince as Sam * Tim Childress as Execution Doctor * Mister Brian as Corrupt Town Policeman * Chris Dean Keith as pallbearer

Reception

Dennis Harvey of ''

'' wrote that overall the movie "juggles eerie restraint and grotesque frenzy with confidence." John DeFore of ''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Hollywood film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade paper, and in 2010 switched to a weekly larg ...

'' wrote that ''Johnny Frank Garrett's Last Word'' was a "A schlocky fright flick where subtlety is a foreign language" and that it "may amuse hardcore genre fans but is unlikely to find takers for theatrical distribution."DeFore, John.
'Johnny Frank Garrett's Last Word': SXSW Review
" ''

''. March 14, 2016. Retrieved on March 22, 2016.

References

External links

* * {{Portal bar, Film, United States, Speculative fiction/Horror 2016 films 2016 horror thriller films Films set in 1981 American supernatural horror films 2010s English-language films 2010s American films Films produced by Frank Mancuso Jr. Films set in Texas Films about curses