Reptile 2023

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.

After the funeral of Summer, Will discusses an unsettling encounter with Eli Phillips, a man who tried to force his way into his mother’s house prior to the murder. He explains how Eli’s family farm was forcibly sold by Will’s father, leading to a tragic suicide by Eli’s father. This trauma fuels Eli’s deep-seated resentment toward Will and his family, which comes crashing down when Eli accuses Will of murdering Summer and reveals knowledge of a corruption scandal involving Tom from his past work in Philadelphia.

As investigations continue, DNA results from Summer’s autopsy indicate her last intimate encounter was with Sam, along with information from a friend suggesting they were still secretly involved. In a dramatic turn of events, when Tom confronts Sam at his home, Sam makes a desperate attempt to flee and is shot in the process, with a subsequent search uncovering a staggering 13 kilograms of heroin.

Though Sam is quickly labeled as Summer’s killer, Tom remains skeptical, uncertain that the case is truly settled. Suddenly, Eli arrives at Tom’s house one night, handing over a flash drive containing explosive evidence of a drug money laundering operation connected to the Gradys, who were using properties sold through their real estate firm as fronts. The evidence soon points to police officer Wally Finn being involved in this illicit web, leading Tom on a treacherous path of deception and corruption.

The stakes rise during a birthday party for Captain Robert Allen, where Tom tries to reveal Wally’s connections to the murder and money laundering scheme but is met with interruptions. It becomes even more perilous when Tom spots a recently repainted Chrysler Imperial in Allen’s garage. The tension escalates as Tom shares his fears with Judy, convincing her that they must escape immediately. However, a fateful call from Allen lures Tom back for a supposed explanation.

In a shocking climax, Tom hands over the flash drive to police chief Marty Graeber and moves to Allen’s residence with him. But while Marty excuses himself, Allen warns Tom to flee for his own safety. As events spiral out of control, Allen is fatally shot, and in a desperate act of self-preservation, Tom finds himself in a life-or-death confrontation with Marty and Wally, ultimately leading to their demise.

The tumultuous unraveling ends with the FBI arresting Will just as he enjoys a day of golfing, a grim reminder of the intertwined fates and the devastating consequences of the dark secrets that have emerged.