An unnaturally dark side of crime journalism is showcased in Nightcrawler, which is perhaps one of the most powerful psychological thrillers of all time. The movie features Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal), a freelance crime journalist in Los Angeles who ventures into the field of journalism with a disturbing zeal. He owns a camera that he uses to capture still images of gruesome accidents and violent crimes with the goal of selling them to local television stations.

Lou, who has become more skilled (and more ruthless) as a filmmaker, begins shredding the ethical standards of a documentarian for the sake of acquiring exclusive footage. Rather dire is his relationship with desperate news director Nina (Rene Russo), as it is a marketing ploy losing humanity in the name of pure capitalism. Lou evolves into a grotesque creature willing to do anything to achieve his version of success – or as he likes to call it, “The American Dream.”

The social commentary of Gyllenhaal’s performance is razor sharp, and the cinematography is stunning as always. Nightcrawler graphically portrays the moral decay that surrounds modern media and the horrifying lengths that people are willing to go in the name of success.

Cast & Crew

• Jake Gyllenhaal as Louis “Lou” Bloom
• Rene Russo as Nina Romina
• Riz Ahmed as Rick
• Bill Paxton as Joe Loder
• Director & Writer: Dan Gilroy (Roman J. Israel, Esq. , Velvet Buzzsaw)
• Producers: Jennifer Fox, Jake Gyllenhaal, Tony Gilroy
• Cinematography: Robert Elswit (There Will Be Blood)
• Music: James Newton Howard

IMDb Ratings & Reviews

IMDb Rating: ⭐ 7.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% Critics | 86% Audience

Metacritic: 76/100

Nightcrawler is praised as a masterfully constructed and deeply disconcerting thriller that puts the spotlight on the media’s violence fixation. Gyllenhaal’s performance has been deemed, by many, to be the most remarkable of his career. The film is already unsettling with its nocturnal cinematography, and the rapid pacing only adds to this discomfort.

Awards and Acknowledgments

• Best Original Screenplay nominee – Academy Awards (Oscars)
• San Diego Film Critics Society Awards for Best Actor winner (Jake Gyllenhaal)
• Best Actor nominee – BAFTA Awards
• Won Best Original Screenplay – Independent Spirit Awards
• Cultural Importance Analysis/Personal Opinion

Nightcrawler acts like a perverse memento to contemporary media ethics where sensationalism flourishes on violence and fear, Lou Bloom is a frightening persona. Bloom isn’t terrifying because he is a stereotypical villain; rather, he is a blend of countless things in the world that is enabled by an industry that prides itself on ratings. He is one of the most unsettling main characters in film because of his manipulative, unemphatic, and sociopolitical driven nature.

Gyllenhaal’s transformation to Lou is definitely enhanced by his physical transformation such as weight loss combined with profound gaunt and hollow eye make up. Many of Gyllenhaal’s more powerful, deeper, sinister roles and speeches mask his charming sweet lad persona. When he speaks almost like robotic, blending with his eerie lack of any morals surpasses diabolical. This makes him one of the most terrifying characters modern day thrillers too possess while being fascinating.

Conclusion

This film is a personal recommendation to all those who appreciate psychological thrillers deeply intertwined with social critiques or commentary just like Taxi driver, American Psycho, or Zodiac. The multi-dimensional very intense, Nightcrawler leaves the audience pondering over moral bounds while serving as a critique of modern day journalism and the sources that shape the news we consume.