Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a small-time thief, desperate for work in the gritty, underbelly of Los Angeles, California, before barging his way into the fascinating world of crime journalism, consequently becoming the star of his own story, blurring the line between that of an observer and an active participant. Nightcrawler received heaps of praise upon its release and it most certainly worth of a watch.

Director: Dan Gilroy
Writers: Dan Gilroy
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Riz Ahmed, Rene Russo

Written and directed by Dan Gilroy in his directorial debut, Nightcrawler is a tense and somewhat unforgettable thriller that manages to take aim at the way in which modern news stations and the way in which they portray their news stories to the public. The story shines a light on how the media thrives on fear and overall sensationalism, as well as highlighting how far some people will go when chasing their own individual success, at the expense of others.

In terms of the cinematography, Nightcrawler manages to stand out as a strikingly visual film, with Los Angeles itself almost taking on the role of a character within the flick. Shot almost entirely at night, the picture is littered with neon lights, empty streets, and an overall cold and gritty atmosphere that lingers throughout the one-hundred and seventeen-minute runtime. It’s worth noting that production of the film took place over the course of twenty-eight nights.

Nightcrawler certainly isn’t packed with action, nor is it the kind of ‘edge-of-your-seat thrill ride’ some might expect. Instead, its real strength lies in the psychological tension it brings to the big screen as well as the exploration of the main character. The filmmakers manage to make the viewers feel uneasy about what they’re witnessing, while steadily peeling back layers of the main character in the process, unearthing hidden motivations. It’s the kind of story that lingers in your mind long after the closing credits.

In terms of the cast, Jake Gyllenhaal adopted the role of Lou Bloom, completely disappearing into the role and playing a character who is both fascinating and disturbing in equal measure. Heavy support came from Riz Ahmed and Rene Russo, who portrayed Rick and Nina, respectively.

All in all, Nightcrawler is just one of the blockbuster releases that came our way over ten years ago now in 2014. This gripping, thought-provoking thriller is difficult to forget, and almost definitely worthy of repeat viewing in the future. It’s a dark, gritty and intense flick, with an entertaining story to keep the viewer engaged from the first minute, right up until the last.

“My motto is if you want to win the lottery, you’ve got to make money to buy a ticket.”

Lou Bloom – Nightcrawler