Reptile
Plot
In the gritty and suspenseful thriller "Reptile", a seasoned detective is tasked with solving the gruesome murder of a young real estate agent. The victim's lifeless body is discovered in a pool of blood, with no signs of forced entry or struggle, leaving investigators stumped. As the case unfolds, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems. Detective James Griffin, a tough and no-nonsense investigator, is assigned to the case. His reputation for being one of the best in the business precedes him, but his own demons and personal struggles threaten to derail the investigation. The more he delves into the victim's life, the more he uncovers a web of deceit and corruption that goes far beyond the surface level. As Griffin digs deeper, he discovers that the victim was involved in some shady dealings and had many enemies. But as he gets closer to the truth, he realizes that everyone is hiding something, including his own colleagues on the force. The lines between good and evil begin to blur, and Griffin's own illusions about the world are shattered. The more he investigates, the more Griffin becomes obsessed with finding the killer. His relentless pursuit of justice drives him to the brink of exhaustion, but he refuses to give up. As the truth slowly begins to emerge, Griffin finds himself facing off against a cunning and ruthless adversary who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried. With its complex characters, twisty plot, and gritty atmosphere, "Reptile" is a gripping thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Reviews
Lily
Like a noodle master putting on a two-hour show of masterful stretching and pulling, only to serve you a bowl of plain broth noodle in the end.
Thiago
A line from the trailer really stuck with me: "Everyone is a suspect." As a true, hardcore, old-school detective movie, the director tells the story of the protagonist's situation precisely from this angle. Ever since taking on that bizarre case, it's as if he's personally opened Pandora's Box. Anxiety, confusion, and doubt all come pouring out, and everything around him begins to feel alien. Suddenly, everything makes him suspicious. The pervasive sense of terror is immersive and unsettling. Like a lone wolf who's stumbled into a pit of vipers, he doesn't know whether to move forward or back. Making a debut this good is truly amazing. From the script, visuals, and pacing to the performances, everything is on point. Absolutely a fantastic film!
Georgia
Quite unlike the flashy and impetuous detective films of recent years, this one is full of calm restraint, perfectly complemented by Benicio Del Toro's superb acting (his eyebrows and eyes can speak!). I was unexpectedly fond of it because of this (can you believe a Netflix movie isn't superficial for once!?). The seemingly fragmented editing doesn't feel chaotic, but instead feels like a skillful weaving of various clues. Isn't it impressive for a director's debut to achieve this level of quality?
Elijah
Well-acted, well-edited, well-told story. It maintains a clear-eyed view of reality while adopting a progressive attitude, displaying cautious bravery, and embodying humility and patience – delivering a chilling yet emotionally resonant experience. When it comes to "bottom lines," they're not easy to hold, but you have to grit your teeth and stick to them. You can't let go even a little, because once you do, you'll be swept downstream and lose all control.
Ruby
★★★★½. The audio-visual concept design is truly impressive, employing various techniques to enhance the story's allure. The cinematography significantly bolsters the film, effectively serving the characters' emotions. Upon investigation, the director of photography has worked on "It Follows," "Split," "Us," "Under the Silver Lake," and "Old," which explains the horror film vibe. One can perceive the film's efforts to emulate the style of 1970s Hollywood police movies and political thrillers. While the narrative pace is unnecessarily protracted, a pervasive sense of distrust permeates throughout, questioning everyone and every motivation.
