Reptile (2023) Thriller Movie Review
In Grant Singer's first thriller, "Reptile," Benicio Del Toro takes on the role of Detective Tom Nichols, but the film struggles to find its own identity. Clearly influenced by David Fincher's precision, Singer, a seasoned music video director, brings an overly stylized and precious approach to "Reptile." However, the film's major flaw is its failure to recognize that detective stories should become more focused on the plot instead of becoming more complex.
Del Toro delivers a captivating performance, but the movie lacks direction. The story follows Will Grady (played by Justin Timberlake), a real estate mogul, and his girlfriend Summer (Matilda Lutz), who work on flipping foreclosed homes. When Summer is brutally murdered, Detective Nichols and his partner investigate. The suspects include Grady himself, Summer's ex-husband Sam, and a man seeking revenge for a deal gone wrong.
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The script introduces a large cast, including Tom's wife Judy (Alicia Silverstone), who plays a significant role in the investigation. However, the characters are portrayed in an exaggerated manner, and the script tries too hard to make them stand out. The overall result is an overwrought and distracting narrative that constantly reminds the audience that they are watching a movie.
While it's okay to notice a writer's style and a director's way of seeing things, the issues with "Reptile" boil down to a clash between style and vision. The movie has a lot of stylish elements, thanks to the talented camera work of Mike Gioulakis, known for films like "It Follows" and "Split." However, the problem is that all the style doesn't come together to form a clear vision. Despite running for a lengthy 134 minutes, the movie struggles to tie things up neatly, leaving subplots hanging and characters acting inconsistently.
But in the midst of all this, there's a standout performance by Benicio Del Toro. He convincingly portrays a character who's been through a lot and just wants some peace, without overplaying the trauma. Del Toro brings depth to his role with subtle body language and expressive eyes. Although there are some decent performances by others in the cast, Del Toro stands out, operating in a league of his own. It's just unfortunate that his exceptional performance is stuck in a movie that could have been much better.