Netflix fans say 'Reptile' is one of best new releases despite scathing reviews

06 October 2023 , 14:06

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Netflix viewers are utterly obsessed with the streaming platform’s new murder-mystery movie Reptile - despite lukewarm reviews from critics.

Subscribers have deemed it one of the ‘best’ films Netflix has ever put out, with others going so far as to call it 'beautiful, mysterious and thrilling'. But film and television reviews aggregator Rotten Tomatoes very much disagrees - so far awarding it a paltry 41 per cent rating.

The thriller stars Benicio Del Toro as Tom Nichols, a hardened New England detective tasked with solving the mysterious murder of a real estate agent. But it isn't long before our tenacious hero unearths a vast criminal conspiracy that threatens to engulf everything he cares about - causing the illusions of his own life to come crashing down. Alicia Silverstone and Justin Timberlake also appear.

Reptile's stark love/hate divide between viewers and critics is quite extraordinary, particularly as reviewers appear largely unanimous in their disdain.

Kambole Campbell, of Empire, said: "Del Toro’s solid screen charisma can’t rescue Reptile, a derivative and lethargic thriller that rarely thrills as it tries and fails to build a case for itself as a meaningful iteration on the detective thrillers that it admires."

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A.A. Dowd , of IGN, said: "Benicio Del Toro's understated performance as a soft-spoken detective is about the only interesting thing about this new Netflix thriller, which drowns a thin murder mystery in lots of ominous atmosphere."

Frank Swietek , of One Guy's Opinion: "Gets points for holding your interest, but loses them for botching the close...it twists itself into such pretzel formations in an attempt to surprise that by the end the ludicrousness has overwhelmed the mood it worked so hard to establish."

While Giovanni Lago , of Next Best Picture, was a little more charitable, saying: "Reptile isn't a terrible film. There will be a specific crowd that enjoys it. There are just better offerings out there."

But unperturbed fans of the flick took to X, formerly Twitter, to praise it.

@humhainayush posted: "What a beautiful, mysterious, thrilling and nerve wrecking film Reptile on Netflix was. Quite shocked to see that it has 41 per cent on tomatometer. It is surely one of the best thrillers out there. These critics surely wanted to pull this film down without any doubt. Watch it asap!"

@RobertSledz posted; "Reptile is an incredible movie. Very well directed and produced. Acting was superb."

@adelepatti: "Finally a great cop movie on Netflix."

@lilcarter832: "Reptile on @netflix was a really pleasant 2hr watch. Haven’t felt paranoia/suspense that intense through the TV screen in a while."

@hoodgriz: "Just watched Reptile on Netflix and it’s a classic."

@Titois: "I just watched ‘Reptile’ on Netflix featuring Benicia Del Toro and Justin Timberlake. That movie was incredible."