Nightcrawler
Nightcrawler

Movie spotlight

Nightcrawler

2014
Movie
118 min
English

When Lou Bloom, desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. Aiding him in his effort is Nina, a TV-news veteran.

Insights

IMDb7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes95%
Metacritic76/100
Google Users82%
Director: Dan GilroyGenres: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

Lou Bloom, a driven and morally ambiguous man, discovers the thrilling, dangerous world of nocturnal journalism in Los Angeles. He begins filming car crashes, fires, and other emergencies, selling the footage to local news stations. As his ambition grows, Lou blurs the ethical lines, becoming increasingly ruthless in his pursuit of sensational and exclusive news content, often manipulating crime scenes and putting himself and others in harm's way.

Critical Reception

Nightcrawler was met with widespread critical acclaim, particularly for Jake Gyllenhaal's intense performance and Dan Gilroy's sharp, satirical screenplay. Critics praised the film's dark, unsettling tone, its commentary on media ethics and the nature of ambition, and its gripping portrayal of the underbelly of Los Angeles.

What Reviewers Say

  • Jake Gyllenhaal delivers a mesmerizing and unsettling performance as a sociopathic stringer.

  • The film is a sharp, dark satire on the sensationalist nature of modern news media.

  • It's a gripping and morally complex thriller with a compelling narrative.

Google audience: Audiences lauded Jake Gyllenhaal's captivating and disturbing portrayal of the central character, praising the film's intense atmosphere and thought-provoking themes. Many found it to be a masterfully crafted thriller that effectively critiques the media landscape.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay (Dan Gilroy). Gyllenhaal received numerous nominations for his performance, including Golden Globe and BAFTA Awards.

Fun Fact

Jake Gyllenhaal lost 15 pounds for his role as Lou Bloom and often only consumed coffee, gum, and water during filming to achieve the character's gaunt appearance.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

6 reviews
Nathan

Nathan

_Nightcrawler_ shows the dark and sadistic rise of an underground freelance video producer that left me on the edge of my seat in disbelief throughout the entire film. The film begins following Lou Bloom, a man down on his luck during ec...

John Chard

John Chard

That's my job, that's what I do, I'd like to think if you're seeing me you're having the worst day of your life. Quite a debut from director and writer Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler stars Jake Gyllenhall as Louis Bloom, a low level Los Angles...

John Chard

John Chard

That's my job, that's what I do, I'd like to think if you're seeing me you're having the worst day of your life. Quite a debut from director and writer Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler stars Jake Gyllenhall as Louis Bloom, a low level Los Angle...

Oldnewbie

Oldnewbie

I find it truly amazing that Jake Gyllenhaal did not win nor was even nominated for an Oscar for this stunning performance as Louis Bloom. Makes me wonder how much of who gets nominated and who wins rides on insider politics and not on meri...

mattwilde123

mattwilde123

'Nightcrawler' is a neo noir thriller starring a very impressive (and thin) Jake Gyllenhaal which cleverly satirises the media industry's obsession with horror and violence. The poster's correlation with Nicolas Winding Refn's 'Drive' is...

tmdb39513728

tmdb39513728

**Survival of the Batsh!t Craziest** Here we have a sociopath for the digital age. A _Taxi Driver_ for the early 21st Century. Louis Bloom might have been born yesterday, just before taking an online course in Small Business Management, ...