Netflix's new murder-mystery film Reptile has been praised by viewers on social media despite failing to impress critics.
Directed by Grant Singer, the thriller - which hit the streaming service on September 29 - stars singer Justin Timberlake, Benicio Del Toro, and Alicia Silverstone.
The new flick follows a detective named Tom Nicols (played by Del Toro) who moves from Philly to a small town, where things seem slightly off with the relaxed local police department.
Everything becomes apparent to him as he unpicks the brutal murder of a real estate agent.
Watch the Reptile trailer below:Since its release on the streaming giant, many viewers have rushed to their social media to praise the bone-chilling murder mystery.
One user shared their reaction on the platform X (formerly known as Twitter) and wrote: "Reptile on Netflix is the ABSOLUTE BEST MOVIE I have seen in a long long time. Omfg."
Another impressed user gave a further analysis, penning: "#Reptile on Netflix plays out as a Fincher-esque noir, unfolding as a methodical, tension-building murder mystery that keeps you glued to your screen with every passing second. Sound design & cinematography only add to the tension and uncertainty. The graininess in each frame!"
A third user applauded: "Watched Reptile on Netflix. A really, really good crime thriller/drama about a brutal murder that turns out to be more than just that, and one detective who is too good at his job. Great atmosphere, cinematography, and score. Great cast."
And lastly, a fourth person added: "There’s a movie on Netflix called Reptile. I highly recommend it. It’s a slow burner but once the spark ignites you won’t hear your phone ring. That’s how glued you’ll be."
Despite commendation from the audience online, the film only earned a 44 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an overwhelmingly negative reception.
The Critics Consensus read: "Strong work from Benicio del Toro and Alicia Silverstone isn't enough to make up for Reptile's convoluted and ultimately underwhelming story."
Writing for Deadline, Valerie Complex concluded: "It finds solace in the shadows of iconic masterpieces like Dirty Harry and Death Wish, striving to emulate the essence of renowned cop films from bygone eras. The narrative pace lingers unnecessarily, expanding a familiar tale into a two-hour ordeal, tantamount to an overlong episode of Law & Order."
Critic Robert Abele for the LA Times reviewed: "The fallout from all this purposeful gloom isn’t merely that nothing surprises us; even Del Toro’s committed portrayal of a careful man’s gathering disillusionment gets jammed up."
Additional cast members in the movie are Michael Pitt, Ato Essandoh, Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz, Eric Bogosian, and Domenick Lombardozzi.
Reptile is now streaming on Netflix.