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Entertainment • Film

Reptile

Reptile is a 2023 American crime thriller film directed by Grant Singer in his feature-film debut.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Reptile is a 2023 American crime thriller film directed by Grant Singer in his feature-film debut. It stars Benicio del Toro as a detective investigating the murder of a young real estate agent. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released on Netflix in September 2023.

Premise

The film centres on a homicide investigation in which Detective Tom Nichols uncovers a web of deception after the murder of a young real estate agent. The case gradually exposes corruption and hidden connections around the victim and the people near her.

Production

Reptile was directed by Grant Singer from a screenplay he co-wrote with Benjamin Brewer and Benicio del Toro. It marked Singer’s first feature film after a career in music videos.

Release

The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023. It then received a limited theatrical release in the United States on September 22, 2023, before streaming on Netflix on September 29, 2023. The film's premiere at a major Canadian film festival gave it a direct Canadian connection.

Cast

Benicio del Toro plays Detective Tom Nichols, with Justin Timberlake, Alicia Silverstone, Eric Bogosian, Ato Essandoh, Domenick Lombardozzi, and Michael Pitt appearing in key roles.

Key facts

  • Reptile is Grant Singer's feature-film directorial debut.
  • The film follows Detective Tom Nichols as he investigates the murder of a young real estate agent.
  • It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2023.
  • The film had a limited theatrical release on September 22, 2023, and began streaming on Netflix on September 29, 2023.
  • Benicio del Toro co-wrote the screenplay and stars in the lead role.
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Canadian context

The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, giving it a direct Canadian connection through a major Canadian film festival.

Frequently asked questions

What is Reptile?
Reptile is a 2023 American crime thriller film directed by Grant Singer and starring Benicio del Toro.
Who directed Reptile?
Reptile was directed by Grant Singer in his feature-film debut.
What is Reptile about?
It follows a detective investigating the murder of a young real estate agent, while uncovering broader deception and corruption.
When was Reptile released?
It premiered on September 7, 2023, had a limited U.S. theatrical release on September 22, 2023, and streamed on Netflix from September 29, 2023.
Who stars in Reptile?
The cast includes Benicio del Toro, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Silverstone, Eric Bogosian, Ato Essandoh, Domenick Lombardozzi, and Michael Pitt.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptile_(film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, director, cast, premiere date, and release dates.
  2. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81463014
    Supports: Synopsis, starring cast, and release as a Netflix title.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/reptile_2023
    Supports: Genre, runtime, rating, director, screenwriters, distributor, and release dates.
  4. Netflix Tudum — https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/reptile-release-date-photos-news
    Supports: Theatrical and streaming release dates, TIFF debut, and cast/plot details.