"Reptile" is an offbeat, highly watchable procedural

Reptile (2023)

A slightly offbeat, highly watchable procedural and character study with a fantastic cast, “Reptile” only invites comparison to David Fincher’s “Gone Girl” and Denis Villeneuve’s “Prisoners” at the onset. Music video director Grant Singer makes his feature debut, working from a script he co-wrote with Benjamin Brewer & Benicio Del Toro (who stars), and it’s that kind of collaboration that makes this layered slow-born more than just another standard-issue policier. “Reptile” is a cold-hearted snake of a movie that, in spite of some familiar plotting, rarely ever loses its grip.

The film begins with wealthy real estate agent Will Grady (Justin Timberlake) and his girlfriend, Summer Elswick (Matilda Lutz). Like any couple, they have their ups and downs. One evening, Summer texts Will to come to the house they’re showing, only for Will to find her upstairs brutally murdered. Investigating the case is Tom Nichols (Benicio Del Toro), who’s found a fresh start in New England, and this case is bound to impact his personal life more than the rest. 

The main focal point is Tom Nichols, and “Reptile” sometimes works best as a showcase for Benicio Del Toro. Always reliable as a compelling screen presence, Del Toro is excellent here, internalizing a lot as an experienced detective might but also bringing an understated eccentricity (sometimes with just his eyes). Del Toro and Alicia Silverstone have an “Excess Baggage” reunion playing husband and wife who are in the middle of a kitchen renovation (there is a weird but amusing gag involving a sensor faucet fixture). The two have a lovely way with each other, and Silverstone gets to be a little more than the obligatory wife, proving Judy’s know-how with being a detective’s wife for so long and giving him insight into what she thinks. Read the full review at GuyAtTheMovies.com

Grade: B

Netflix released "Reptile" (134 min.) to stream on September 29, 2023.