With misdirections galore, Reptile certainly keeps you guessing. This is done not only in the plot but also in the editing room as overlapping cuts to different suspects creates a cinematographic shell game of sorts. Del Toro's and Silverstone's performances being a key high point of the film.
The only major critiques I'd have is some tonal inconsistency, film length, and some fairly wooden acting from Justin Timberlake. Without spoilers, Del Toro's character Nichols provides moments of levity, especially at the start of the film but this is often jarringly bookended by suspenseful scenes and the wonderful but loud score. Without the laughs, the movie certainly evokes Prisoners in terms of its mood, tension beats, and twists and turns. In the latter acts, the levity disappears as the plot unravels, which while providing a sense of juxtaposition, also makes one question their overall purpose. This, along with some questionable plot and character points that go unanswered makes the ending feel a little abrupt.
Additionally, the film is on the long side. The pacing of the first act felt a bit fast, especially when introducing new characters and so when the plot is revealed it's easy for the viewer to forget who's who in this whodunit. The other acts are a mixed bag of great and suspenseful pacing and additional to party or line dancing scenes that provide little value other than allowing us see the shadows in the light.
Lastly, while Timberlake has shown himself to be a solid acting presence in films like The Social Network, he simply feels bland in this role. He doesn't get a ton of screen time but the time he is on screen, his delivery of certain lines, especially when he's yelling, feel robotic more than they feel sincere. This is evident in the first few scenes of the film.
That being said, for the director's first film, Reptile certainly shines. There are some extremely clever moments (the phone call and pool leak especially without giving too much detail) that feel incredibly fresh. I certainly look forward to what Grant Singer released in the future.
The only major critiques I'd have is some tonal inconsistency, film length, and some fairly wooden acting from Justin Timberlake. Without spoilers, Del Toro's character Nichols provides moments of levity, especially at the start of the film but this is often jarringly bookended by suspenseful scenes and the wonderful but loud score. Without the laughs, the movie certainly evokes Prisoners in terms of its mood, tension beats, and twists and turns. In the latter acts, the levity disappears as the plot unravels, which while providing a sense of juxtaposition, also makes one question their overall purpose. This, along with some questionable plot and character points that go unanswered makes the ending feel a little abrupt.
Additionally, the film is on the long side. The pacing of the first act felt a bit fast, especially when introducing new characters and so when the plot is revealed it's easy for the viewer to forget who's who in this whodunit. The other acts are a mixed bag of great and suspenseful pacing and additional to party or line dancing scenes that provide little value other than allowing us see the shadows in the light.
Lastly, while Timberlake has shown himself to be a solid acting presence in films like The Social Network, he simply feels bland in this role. He doesn't get a ton of screen time but the time he is on screen, his delivery of certain lines, especially when he's yelling, feel robotic more than they feel sincere. This is evident in the first few scenes of the film.
That being said, for the director's first film, Reptile certainly shines. There are some extremely clever moments (the phone call and pool leak especially without giving too much detail) that feel incredibly fresh. I certainly look forward to what Grant Singer released in the future.