Reptile is the 2023 crime-thriller film directed by Grant Singer in his feature-film directorial debut from a screenplay he co-wrote with Benjamin Brewer and Benicio del Toro. The film stars del Toro in the lead role alongside Justin Timberlake, Alicia Silverstone, Eric Bogosian, Ato Essandoh, Domenick Lombardozzi, and Michael Pitt. With its popularity rising, we break down 10 movies like it.
The story is set around the aftermath of a brutal murder of a young real estate agent. A strong detective attempts to uncover the truth, and in this case, nothing is what it seems. In his investigations, he begins to dismantle the illusions in his own life.
The film is chilling and compelling from the start. The film has a brilliant pace that builds intrigue and suspense, and with Benicio del Toro and Justin Timberlake giving compelling and career-high performances, this film is a must-watch for all crime-thriller fans. It brings back nostalgic vibes from films of the same genre in the 90’s and 2000’s. If you enjoyed Reptile, then here’s a list of similar movies we think you’ll enjoy.
10 Movies like Reptile
Gone Baby Gone (2007)
This film was Ben Affleck’s directorial debut, and similar to Reptile, the story is the aftermath of a tragedy. Here, when four-year-old Amanda goes missing, her aunt Beatrice hires detectives Angie and Patrick to trace her. However, the duo encounters pedophiles, gangs, and drug dealers during their search operations. The film is filled with ethical dilemmas, which will keep you interested throughout.
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Prisoners (2013)
Prisoners is based on Aaron Guzikowski’s short story, Not A True Story. In this film, when the police take too long to find two missing girls, one of the fathers takes it upon himself to find them. His desperation leads him to almost find the truth and jeopardize his own life. Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal give unbelievably strong performances, bringing this intense and heartbreaking story to life.
Fractured (2019)
This storyline might be simple, but this psychological-thriller film is filled with suspense and well worth investing in, especially if you like investigative plots. After his wife and injured daughter disappear from the emergency room, a man becomes convinced the hospital is hiding something. While some films on this list are hard-hitting and emotionally battering in content, Fractured is far more suited to the casual thriller viewer. It’s a small, familiar setting and story re-imagined in a way that’s compelling.
Memento (2000)
In the year 2000, Christopher Nolan set a high bar for a directorial debut with Memento, an American neo-noir mystery psychological thriller based on the short story Memento Mori. The story follows Leonard Shelby, an insurance investigator, who suffers from anterograde amnesia and uses notes and tattoos to hunt for the man he thinks killed his wife, which is the last thing he remembers. Similar to Reptile, we’re unfolding a case and learning the truth through a tension-filled story.
Mulholland Drive (2001)
Mulholland Drive (stylized as Mulholland Dr.) is a surrealist neo-noir mystery film written and directed by the genius that is David Lynch. The confusing but brilliant story surrounds Rita, a dark-haired amnesiac, and Betty, a perky blonde actress, who team up to find clues related to Rita’s accident and ascertain her true identity. I had to watch this film twice as it’s puzzling, but certainly one to watch if you’re looking for tension, drama, and mystery in your movies.
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Zodiac (2007)
Welcome to the work of David Fincher, a neo-noir mystery thriller film based on the non-fiction books by Robert Graysmith, Zodiac (1986) and Zodiac Unmasked (2002). The story follows a cartoonist, Robert Graysmith, who becomes obsessed with the Zodiac killer. Graysmith uses his puzzle-solving abilities to track down and reveal the identity of the killer. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, this film is a fantastic watch as it tells the real-life harrowing tale of a psychotic killer and intense investigation from detectives.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2001)
I promise I’m not making this a David Fincher list, but it’s difficult when his films are some of the best mystery-thriller ones out there. This film follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist, who hires Lisbeth Salander, a computer hacker, to solve the mystery of a woman who has been missing for forty years. The two soon discover more than they bargained for. It’s suspenseful, with action and drama mixed in it; blending genres together so well it’s compelling viewing. Audiences will be happy to know this film is part of The Stieg Larsson Trilogy (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest) so you’ve got plenty to watch.
Se7en (1995)
This David Fincher classic follows a serial killer who begins murdering people according to the seven deadly sins. Two detectives, one new to the city and the other about to retire, are tasked with apprehending the criminal. The film has a stellar cast, including Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Spacey, and a compelling plot with twists and turns that’ll keep you on your toes.
Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
Ending this list with an edgy, arty, but completely underrated film. In 1969, seven shady strangers meet in a deserted hotel with a dark history, and as time goes by, their secrets come out one by one. This mystery-thriller explores themes of morality, faith, and redemption. It’s a movie like Reptile in that it has a building, tense storyline, and some excellent acting.
Do you have any other recommendations for movies like Reptile? Let us know!
