Reptile is a “classic” crime film: a crime, a small town, and a mystery that persists until the final twist. The film, which marks Grant Singer‘s debut as a director, didn’t please everyone, but no one denies the weight of the cast: Benicio Del Toro, Alicia Silverstone, Justin Timberkale, Frances Fisher, and Eric Bogosian, it’s nothing we haven’t already seen, but Thanks to the talent of Benicio (who co-wrote the script), it holds up well.

Will Grady (Justin Timberlake) is a Scarborough real estate mogul who, under the guidance of his mother, Camille (Frances Fisher), explores the foreclosure market for expensive homes in the city. Will works with his girlfriend, Summer (Matilda Lutz), but one day when he goes to meet her he finds her brutally murdered inside one of the houses they were going to sell. The crime investigation ends with detective Tom Nichols (Benicio Del Toro) and his partner Dan Cleary (Ato Essandoh), who discover Summer’s death not only has a significant list of suspects but also hides other city secrets. To decipher this mystery, Tom counts on the unconditional support of his smart wife, Judy (Alicia Silverstone).

There are many twists and false leads, but Benicio and Alicia, long-time friends, repeat the undeniable chemistry between the two, explored more than 30 years ago when she was the star and he was a rising actor. Critics complain about the fact that Singer, who worked on videos by the Weeknd, among others, prioritizes slowness, silence, and visuals. But, I liked it. Cynical, silent, and observant men are the highlight of Benicio Del Toro’s career and he is precise in sharing pain, distrust, and anger at the same time. And here is the advantage of Reptile, an Oscar-winning actor, averse to fame and who knows how to not only connect with the audience, with details and total command of the story. The details of everyday life, and how his every gesture reinforces what we gradually discover about Tom.

I won’t reveal the end of the story because giving spoilers here spoils the narrative a lot. It’s not a story that hasn’t been told before and, in a way, it leaves a lot open, including Michael Pitt‘s strange participation and even its unexpected conclusion. Even without answering what we thought we needed to know, it demonstrates Grant Singer’s potential and makes us miss a star as elusive as Benicio. It’s worth checking out.

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