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Crime thriller

Reptile (2023): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Reptile (2023) movie poster

Reptile is a 2023 crime thriller directed by Grant Singer, starring Justin Timberlake as Will Grady, Frances Fisher and Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz. It runs 2 hours 14 minutes. Critics gave it 45% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
45%
Echo Score
58
Metascore
52
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Reptile (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 14m (134 min)
Director
Grant Singer
Genres
Crime , Drama , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Reptile About?

The premise of Reptile without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A seasoned detective investigates a brutal murder that exposes dark secrets within a peaceful town. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a complex network of lies and deception. The investigation forces him to confront unsettling truths about the community and, ultimately, about himself, challenging his perceptions and forcing a profound re-evaluation of his life.

Reptile Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • detective
  • agent
  • murder
  • criminal
  • pulled over by the police
  • police chief
  • corrupt police chief
  • 911 call
  • police detective
  • police investigation
  • real estate agent
  • dead body
+38 more
  • murder mystery
  • whodunit
  • pursuit
  • infidelity
  • cheating girlfriend
  • release from jail
  • evidence locker
  • threat
  • phone records
  • flashback
  • dream sequence
  • nightmare
  • shot in the hand
  • birthday party
  • shot in the head
  • armed standoff
  • locker room
  • husband wife relationship
  • marriage trouble
  • stabbed to death
  • snake skin
  • realtor
  • estate agent
  • text message
  • discovering a dead body
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • loss of girlfriend
  • crime scene
  • scarborough maine
  • maine
  • united states of america
  • witness interview
  • interrogation room
  • police interrogation
  • grieving boyfriend
  • coroner
  • morgue
  • police scanner
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Cast & crew

Reptile Cast & Characters

Justin Timberlake leads the cast as Will Grady, with Frances Fisher as Camille Grady and Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz as Summer Elswick. Directed by Grant Singer; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Reptile

· 16 more
From the director

More from Grant Singer

More films directed by Grant Singer, best-rated first: Shawn Mendes: In Wonder and IRL.

Full filmography
Ratings

Reptile Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Reptile 45% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in story & flow (45).

58 /100

Reptile Echo Score Breakdown

In its overall execution, Reptile excels in cultivating atmosphere and leading performance but falters in narrative momentum and originality. Multiple reviewers highlight the film’s disciplined visual style and the central actor’s nuanced portrayal while critiquing sluggish pacing, overstuffed twists, and derivative genre elements. The balance between meticulous scene-to-scene construction and an unfocused broader arc leads to uneven engagement. Consequently, the film registers as a competently realized thriller that struggles to maintain consistent dramatic drive.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of visual construction, Reptile presents a carefully textured and cohesive aesthetic. The cinematography employs a muted color palette and measured framing to reinforce the film’s foreboding tone. However, the editing occasionally contributes to a ponderous rhythm that undercuts scene-to-scene momentum. Overall, the visual and design elements demonstrate a strong sense of craft tempered by uneven pacing choices.

  • Character & Emotion 65

    Regarding character and emotional impact, Reptile benefits from a deeply grounded central performance that anchors most scenes. The lead portrayal offers nuanced restraint and charisma, yet secondary figures often register as one-dimensional or functionally robotic. The chemistry among the ensemble occasionally produces moments of tension, but the overall depth and resonance remain modest. In sum, the film’s emotional stakes are lifted by the lead but constrained by underwritten supporting characters.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of narrative structure and engagement, Reptile opens with a compelling mystery that sustains initial suspense. The pacing, however, becomes sluggish in middle acts, and the plot’s originality suffers under derivative genre beats. Several reviewers note that overwrought twists and an unfocused progression dilute the film’s potential. Ultimately, the storyline struggles to maintain coherence and freshness, reducing overall dramatic impact.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When it comes to sensory experience, Reptile delivers a resonant atmosphere through its brooding score and precise sound design. The ominous musical cues and ambient textures heighten tension in key scenes. Combined with a cohesive visual palette, the film achieves a consistent tonal register. Despite moments where the sensory weight feels excessive, the overall immersion remains compelling and supports the thriller’s mood.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    For rewatch value, Reptile offers limited repeat appeal outside of its central performance and moody visuals. While the lead actor’s nuanced portrayal and the film’s atmospheric style encourage occasional revisiting, the lack of substantive twists on subsequent viewings diminishes lasting intrigue. The uneven pacing further undermines desire for repeat engagement. Overall, Reptile’s replay factor remains modest, appealing primarily to fans of its mood and performance.

Plot

Reptile Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Reptile from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Will Grady discovers the shocking and brutal murder of his girlfriend, Summer Elswick, in a rural Maine house they were showing as realtors. During police interrogation by detectives Tom Nichols and Dan Cleary, Will reveals his intentions to marry Summer, but she was still tied to Sam Gifford due to an unresolved marriage. Although released, the investigation takes a twist when nearby security footage reveals a suspicious dark-colored car, which Tom’s wife Judy identifies as a Chrysler Imperial.

Full summary

The whole story of Reptile, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Reptile Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 1 trailer, 1 clip and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

Official Trailer
  • Clip Exclusive Clip
  • Behind the Scenes How Grant Singer Made Reptile - First Film
  • Behind the Scenes Directing Justin Timberlake vs. Benicio Del Toro
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Reptile?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Will Grady's profession?

Cars

Cars in Reptile

28 cars on screen, including the 2015 Dodge Charger Pursuit and the 2020 Cadillac XT6.

All 28 cars
  • 2015 Dodge Charger Pursuit in Reptile 2015 Dodge Charger Pursuit Main role
  • 2020 Cadillac XT6 in Reptile 2020 Cadillac XT6 Important role
  • 2006 Dodge Charger in Reptile 2006 Dodge Charger Important role
  • 2017 Nissan Rogue in Reptile 2017 Nissan Rogue Important role
Details

Reptile Also Known As

24 alternative titles, including “렙타일” and “خزنده”.

Also known as
  • 렙타일
  • خزنده
  • レプタイル 蜥蜴
  • レプタイル -蜥蜴-
  • Reptiles
  • Gad
  • 탈피
  • Плазуни
  • Camaleões
  • ลอกคราบฆาตกร
  • 冷血動物
  • 冷血动物
+12 more
  • Ještěr
  • רפטייל
  • Hidegvér
  • Рептилии
  • Réptil
  • كالحرباء
  • Ερπετά
  • Reptilă
  • Plazilec
  • Влечуго
  • 血色蛻變
  • Roplys

Seen Reptile?

FAQ

Reptile FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Reptile, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Reptile?

Reptile runs 2 hours 14 minutes (134 minutes).

When was Reptile released?

Reptile was released on September 22, 2023.

Who directed Reptile?

Reptile was directed by Grant Singer.

More films by Grant Singer

Who is in the cast of Reptile?

Reptile stars Justin Timberlake as Will Grady, Frances Fisher as Camille Grady and Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz as Summer Elswick, among 20 credited actors.

How is Reptile rated?

Reptile has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 45% on Rotten Tomatoes, 52 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Does Reptile have a post-credit scene?

No. Reptile has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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