Netflix viewers have enthusiastically embraced the new mystery film “Reptile,” despite its lukewarm reception from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The film, directed by Grant Singer and starring Benicio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake, and Alicia Silverstone, arrived on the streaming platform on September 29, offering audiences a captivating mystery to dive into over the weekend.
The official synopsis for “Reptile” sets the stage for the film: “Following the brutal murder of a young real estate agent, a hardened detective attempts to uncover the truth in a case where nothing is as it seems, and by doing so dismantles the illusions in his own life.”
However, when it comes to critical reception, “Reptile” has only garnered a 45 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, with the Critics Consensus noting, “Strong work from Benicio del Toro and Alicia Silverstone isn’t enough to make up for Reptile’s convoluted and ultimately underwhelming story.”
In stark contrast to the critics’ perspective, the audience score for “Reptile” stands at a respectable 80 percent, highlighting a significant divide between critics and regular viewers.
Viewers who have embraced the film found it to be “so interesting” and hailed it as a “refreshing crime thriller.” One viewer commented, “I thought the storyline was riveting. It slowly revealed the plot in a very careful manner. Another great performance by Benicio. I enjoyed the movie very much.”
“Benicio Del Toro is brilliant, Alicia Silverstone is excellent, and the story is gripping the whole way through,” another viewer praised. They also commended Justin Timberlake’s performance in the film, calling it one of their favorites of 2023.
While some viewers acknowledged that “Reptile” is a “slow burn,” they still recommended it, particularly for fans of this style. One viewer commented, “If you’re into slow burn crime dramas, ‘Reptile’ on Netflix is definitely worth checking out,” while another described it as a “solid slow burn ’90s detective thriller.”
Director Grant Singer offered insights into the film’s themes in a statement included in the film’s press release. He explained, “Audiences want to feel satisfied, and rightfully so. But arguably the mysteries that are most resonant and lasting are the most hidden. This film began with a desire to capture a feeling of being deceived. I wanted to instill that deception both in the story’s construction, where characters are introduced as one thing and revealed to be something else, and in the experiences of the characters themselves. There is a sense of unease, where the suspense comes from not knowing where the story is leading you.”
“Reptile” is currently available for streaming on Netflix, offering audiences an intriguing and polarizing mystery to enjoy.
