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Reptile (2023)
It’s surprising and also a little encouraging that, despite a plethora of films and series present and past of its type, writers are nonetheless able to fashion a fresh, interesting and entertaining crime-thriller-police procedural. A good example of that is Reptile, whose original screenplay was created by writer/director Grant Singer, Benjamin Brewer, and Benicio del Toro.
Del Toro is the feature and main draw of the film, also starring Justin Timberlake, Alicia Silverstone, and with a nice turn by veteran Francis Fisher.
The story is relatively complex, with several red herrings to keep the viewer off the scent. Early on a real estate agent is found murdered in one of the high end homes that she and her boyfriend had been preening to facilitate a market sale. Two detectives (chiefly del Toro) are assigned to the case. Neighborhood security video shows a recognizable car make as the culprit’s likely vehicle.
Suspicion immediately centers on the boyfriend, but in turn switches to her ex-husband, and then to an ex-farmer whose father was bilked out of his land possibly by the realtor. Soon massive drug smuggling and real estate schemes enter the equation, eventually followed by the suspicion of a cadre of bad cops involved. The plot inexorably moves along, resulting in a classic whodunit conclusion.
One mark of a good picture is that the viewer immediately is convinced of its high quality by being drawn into the production’s atmosphere. Whether it’s the screenwriter, director, production designer, cinematographer, or a combination of all four, Reptile has that attraction right from the git-go. The title is a misnomer, having nothing to do with the movie, so one might be fooled as to the subject matter.
The acting is first rate from the entire cast, but it is Benicio del Toro who owns the film. He’s one of a handful of actors whose weathered looks, charisma and presence grab the viewer’s attention whenever he is on screen. The simplest facial expression of his pretty much conveys whatever it is he’s saying. He would’ve been a premier silent film actor. In fact he’s equally effective with non verbal expression as he is with dialogue.
The run time is 136 minutes, but the picture never feels labored. They might have made a good series out of the story, but it’s just right as it is. It’s surprising that writer/director Grant Singer’s only previous projects had been in commercials, music videos and a couple of documentaries. But based upon Reptile we’ll be looking for his future directing work.
Available on Netflix and other sources.
Doc’s rating: 8/10
