“Reptile” (Netflix) is one of the sneaky great films of 2023. It comes from director/co-writer Grant Singer, whose background is entirely music videos, but the film isn’t great because of stylization. Rather, it’s engrossing thanks to good old-fashioned storytelling and character-building.
Co-writing with Benjamin Brewer and star Benicio Del Toro, “Reptile” explores the ease with which corruption can seep into a police department, even though we clearly see the checks and balances. Indeed, it starts off as a pro-police movie.
Del Toro as our guide
But ultimately, Del Toro’s lead detective Tom Nichols – nicer of a guy than you might expect from the actor, although he has dark moments — has only his conscience as a guide. “Reptile” examines the nobility of doing the right thing when it would be so much easier not to. This isn’t an original theme, but it’s a powerful one here, because we intimately follow Tom, sometimes even into dreams.
“Reptile” (2023)
Director: Grant Singer
Writers: Grant Singer, Benjamin Brewer (screenplay and story), Benicio Del Toro (screenplay)
Stars: Benicio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake, Eric Bogosian
Singer builds the office friendships and shows the procedural workings of a police department. Nichols and partner Dan Cleary (Ato Essandoh) investigate the murder of real-estate agent Summer (Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz) at a house she’s showing.
Is her boyfriend, the somewhat slimy Will Grady (Justin Timberlake, reminding us he’s a heckuva performer) the killer? Perhaps he’s the “reptile” of the title? No, it seems too obvious; he just had a fight with his girlfriend, but he’s cooperating with the investigation.
Other scaly personalities in the mix include the victim’s estranged husband Sam (Karl Glusman) and true-crime buff Eli (Michael Pitt, always great in these off-kilter roles).
The performances are great across the board, as everyone in the cast boosts everyone else. Alicia Silverstone is Tom’s wife, and law enforcement officials – and Tom’s poker buddies – include Eric Bogosian, Domenick Lombardozzi and Mike Pniewski. It’s like a less star-studded “Heat.”
Also a decent whodunit
“Reptile” is a solid whodunit, now that I think back on it. The clues are in place. But its effectiveness comes from how it is everything all at once – mystery, procedural, character study, family drama (of various families) and institutional critique. No aspect overshadows other aspects.
Singer makes it a slow burn, and he’s helped in post-production by Yair Elazar Glotman’s score and well-placed needle drops like a cover of “Angel of the Morning.” The film is 2 hours and 14 minutes long, and I didn’t resent the length one bit.
Though a straightforward (if expertly crafted) piece of entertainment at first glance, “Reptile” offers food for thought. At various times, I was impressed by the professionalism and efficiency of the police department. Then I was disgusted by the corruption – and the way in which the procedures themselves allow room for that corruption.
I correctly guessed whodunit, and normally that would be a sign that it’s not a smart screenplay. But its lack of unnecessary convolution is part of what makes the film so watchable. Every twist of this case could play out in reality, and that – rather than shocking violence or mood-drenched style – is what gives “Reptile” a certain cold-blooded effectiveness.
It’s too soon to say Singer is on par with the likes of Michael Mann or Taylor Sheridan in character-driven crime dramas, as he has left room for finding a distinct style and point of view. Maybe he can bring some of his music video background into play … just a little. I’ll be on the lookout for his next project. For now, “Reptile” is a chilly, crisp autumn treat.