Available on Netflix since last Friday, the thriller “Reptile” starring Benicio Del Toro, Alicia Silverstone, and Justin Timberlake follows the investigation into the murder of a real estate agent. But who is the real killer?
Directed by Grant Singer, known for directing music videos for artists like The Weeknd and Sam Smith, “Reptile” is a true crime thriller centered on the brutal murder of Summer (Matilda Lutz), a real estate agent, in a house she was selling.
The investigation, led by Tom Nichols (Benicio Del Toro), is a web of deception. During his inquiries, he discovers that corruption has infiltrated even the ranks of the Scarborough police.
After interviewing several suspects, including Will Grady (Justin Timberlake), Summer’s lover and employer, and disgruntled neighbor Eli Philips (Michael Pitt), Tom Nichols finally uncovers the identity of the killer and the reason behind Summer’s murder. Unfortunately, his discoveries put him in immediate danger.
When Nichols presents evidence against the murderer and some corrupt members of his department to the police chief, both men pay a visit to Captain Allen (Eric Bogosian), who incidentally is the uncle of Nichols’ wife Judy (Alicia Silverstone) and has been concealing the killer’s identity all along.
Unbeknownst to Nichols, the deception goes all the way to the police chief, and Nichols is forced into a shootout with his former colleagues before he can expose the entire conspiracy. Full of red herrings and twists, “Reptile” still leaves a few lingering questions.
WILL GRADY IS THE KILLER
In a rather perplexing flashback, it is revealed that Will Grady killed Summer. When Nichols pursues another lead and tries to figure out why Rudy Rackozy (Owen Teague) called so many times on the day Summer was killed, it’s not explicitly shown, but it is implied that Rudy called Will, who is seen in another flashback standing over Summer’s body.
Will had intended to frame Summer’s ex-husband for the crime, but unfortunately for him, Inspector Nichols did his job too well and traced the phone call back to Will.
Initially, Tom Nichols found it suspicious that Summer was selling houses without receiving a commission. As he dug deeper, he discovered that these sales were part of a drug money laundering scheme concocted by Wally (Domenick Lombardozzi) and most of the officers in Nichols’ department.
Summer had started calling the FBI to reveal the truth about the front company used to cover up the money laundering. But Will found out what she was planning to do and killed her before she could spill the beans and bring down nearly the entire police force in town. A decision that cost her life at the hands of her boyfriend.