Reptiles

Set in the town of Scarborough, Detective Tom Nichols (Benecio del Toro) and his partner Dan Cleary (Ato Essandoh) investigate the murder of real-estate broker Summer Elswick (Matilda Lutz). As the two run down possible suspects including Summer's boyfriend Will Grady (Justin Timberlake), her ex-husband Sam Gifford (Karl Glusman), and a man with a grudge against the Gradys named Eli Phillips (Michael Pitt), the case goes from a simple murder to something of larger scale implications.

Reptile is the feature film debut of music video director Grant Singer who also co-wrote the script alongside Benjamin Brewer and the film's star and executive producer Benicio Del Toro. Singer and Brewer wrote the initial draft of the film in 2018 where it was acquired by Black Label Media who'd previously worked with Del Toro on the Sicario films and upon showing it to him he became a huge proponent of the project. With a gritty noir story, an all star cast, and an Autumn adjacent release date you can tell Netflix wants this to be their equivalent of Gone Baby Gone or Prisoners as that dark horse crime thriller that scores some Oscar nominations, and while it doesn't reach those heights unfortunately it's an ultimately decent detective thriller with a strong sense of style and some committed performances.

Despite being the debut feature of Grant Singer, he shows a strong grasp on filmmaking from a stylistic and technical sense with the film given some solid shots that capture the environments in which Nichols investigates. With a predominantly suburban setting that often uses the states of various homes like McMansion Grady is trying to sell having signs of vermin infestation or a neglected swimming pool with stagnant water, you get the sense Singer is trying to capture that underlying sense of rot within these seemingly idyllic homes. While Tom Nichols isn't given the greatest depth as a protagonist, del Toro who serves as a co-writer on the film does add some humanity to the role especially in regards to his relationship with his wife Judy played by Alicia Silverstone who takes what could've been an underwritten character and makes her more of a confidant who actually assists Tom on several occasions and the two have some solid chemistry together. Where the movie faulters for me unfortunately is in the mystery aspect of the film especially in how it establishes its array of suspects only for us to switch gears at the one hour mark where we begin another decidedly different investigation. The writing in the film while fine most of the time is perfectly fine (if not exceptional) but it does lead to some groanworthy dialogue exchanges and a fake-out dream sequence that I didn't really care for.

For those who like dramatic procedural thrillers of this kind you will find some good elements to appreciate here especially in how it relates to the acting and visuals on display. The movie itself as a mystery I'm sorry to say fell somewhat flat for me despite seemingly having all the right pieces in play. A slight stumble out the gate for Grant Singer, but one that shows promise if given refinement.

This film could have easily been a series of True Detective.... the filming, atmosphere and music are very of that genre... this is a long film and not for the action lovers. It's thoughtful well written and you need to be awake and concentrating. If you like this pace of film you will enjoy it and the plot is complex and cleverly developed... I won't spoil it... there are web sites that fully explain it. I believe it's got a 7/10 rating due to some impatient poor reviews by people not suited to the pace and genre. I would say if you like the true detective series 1 you might enjoy this ... but if you wants a shoot out every two minutes and an easy plot line... I'd give it a miss.

Would you like to see some action, shooting, car chases, killings and have a lot of fun? If so, watch something else. This is not for you.

I enjoy action movies as described above, nothing wrong with that. REPTILE is different though. This is a very good crime thriller, easily the best crime thriller since WIND RIVER (2017, Taylor Sheridan). When i say "crime thriller", i mean movies with officers/detectives trying to catch killers, murder investigations etc. For some reason, this genre is dying. I don't remember many crime thrillers recently except THE PALE BLUE EYE/TO CATCH A KILLER/Abgeschnitten (2018)/ONLY THE ANIMALS (2019). Some of them were good, some were not. REPTILE is undeniably better than all of them.

Beware, this is a slow burn. There are some twists and turns but this is not a movie that will blow your mind with surprising events. It takes its time to unfold, i mean, a lot of time. And it's superb regarding acting and character study. No words to describe Del Toro's performance, this is indeed mindblowing. I could watch him for 10 minutes straight even if he didn't do anything, just thinking about his next move. I'll be honest, some people may find it boring, i don't agree with that but i respect it. No way though i could respect a bad opinion about this performance. The way he conveys his feeling without saying a word, it's out of this world. Of course, i helps if your face is so much expressive.

There are some reviews criticizing this because there are not many straight answers but enough plot holes. I hear it but i disagree. Almost every question is being answered here, as long as you think it through. This definitely ain't an ambiguous movie. Not plot holes, almost everything is crystal clear. At times, answers might not be so specific but these particular questions are kinda insignificant if you look at the great picture. Now, if you like a bit spoon feeding in your movies, sure you shouldn't watch this.

In conclusion, this is intelligent, realistic, well acted, intense at times and the ending is satisfying. It's flawed, not groundbreaking, definitely not a masterpiece, definitely won't stay in your mind for long. But if you miss this genre, you are gonna like it.

PS I don't remember Timberlake being that good in any of his movies. Actually, i always thought he's a bad actor. He is good here. Silverstone too. Bogosian is excellent.

Music-Director Grant Singer Teams-Up with Benicio del Toro and Delivers this "Netflix" Original for His 1st Feature-Film.

A Bleak Detective Thriller that is Driven by a Moody Neo-Noir Tone.

It's about del Toro, a Transplant Detective Trying to Avoid Mistakes-Made in the Past, and is Caught-Up in a Murder-Corruption Case where "Bad" is Overwhelmingly Everywhere.

He "Bites-the-Bullet" and Hunkers-Down as Events and Revelations Slow-Burn the Case and the Film.

The Tone is Suppressing, Dark, and Deep. More Reliant on Characters "Behaving Badly" than Action and Violence, although the Mood is Relentlessly Depressing and Cuts to the Bone.

Del Toro Nails His Inner-Turmoil Eating Away at His Soul Reflecting in His Demeanor Concerning His Job and His Wife (deliciously played by Alicia Silverstone).

A Stone-Faced Justin Timberlake is a Suspect. What Amounts to a Cameo by Eric Bergosian becomes Integral to the Story.

Worth a Watch.

SLOWburning detective movie and when I say SLOWburning then I mean really SLOW. Sorry for all these capital letters, but the first hour nothing much happens and I was wondering if anything was about to happen at all. Well, fortunately it did!

The REAL suspense and thrill (only slowly yet steadily) intensifies during the second hour, which gets really creepy and intense, with a final that is like a sledgehammer. Wow. Really impressed by it.

The good: Benicio del Toro Benicio del Toro Benicio del Toro.

This man has got charisma few other actors (are lucky to) have. He really steals the show, with his very subtle acting skills, that convey so many different feelings that simply watching Benicio del Toro lifting up a small glass to drink is fascinating to watch.

Benicio del Toro co-wrote the screenplay and he co-produced this movie as well. So he had a lot of cloud. And it shows, because this is one heck of a Benicio del Toro flick.

The director made his feature movie debut, with only having made lots of music videos before and although I dont think his direction was terrific, it certainly was a masterful debut.

Quite impressed AND spooked out by it. Recommended for the art house movie fans of slowburning (yet still suspenseful) detective movies.