User Reviews

This has a very slow burn. The lead character is highly unlikeable. As none of the characters are engaging and the story is fairly uneventful and predictable I really didn't enjoy this film, it's not badly made or anything but it is dull. Maybe I'm not the target audience but I had to watch it at 1.25x just to avoid turning it off. The finale car chase was pretty cool but not worth the build up. The ending was massively unsatisfying.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Nightcrawler is an experience - it takes you on this journey through the grimy streets of LA, through the corrupt minds of media moguls, and everything is told through the eyes of seemingly charming slimeball reporter Louis Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal).Nightcrawler works on so many levels. The writing and direction is fantastic, which is especially impressive as it's the directorial debut by Dan Gilroy who takes on both duties. He had a clear vision of how he wanted to portray LA and the sleek, brooding yet slightly lackadaisical tone transfers perfectly onto the big screen. The acting is phenomenal - Gyllenhaal gives a performance that's the polar opposite from his character in Prisoners and he was on point for every second. He was the perfect casting choice to carry the **** movie has a clear message on the media and how they abuse stories and reap the benefits regardless of who gets victimized. It's a message that has been told a million times before, but never quite like this. Nightcrawler throws you right into the gritty streets along with a hustling thief, Lou, who starts freelancing as a videographer of crime scenes and selling his footage to a news channel for money. We go along this journey with Lou and watch his transformation from being a sleazy but ambitious individual to becoming a manipulative, self-serving sociopath. Then you start to realize that he was like that all along. His charming charisma masked his true intentions, and this peek into his psyche is the most potent and disturbing aspect of the movie. It's a character study that encompasses an entire lifestyle, and told with enough elegance and wit to keep you on board the whole way.

Amazing acting. Good storyline. Very interesting characters. Worth a watch.

Nightcrawler is a movie I have mixed feelings about, but mostly positive. The writing is absolutely incredible. The characters are perfectly written. Their actions, mannerisms, behaviour tells you everything you need to know. Rick is basically the morality meter and he is a key element to film, because I don't think it'd work so well without him. Nina is probably the most interesting, it would be an endless conversation to discuss why she does what she does. Louis Bloom is an extremely complex character, but in 2 hours time we get to see every aspect of his personality. This movie wouldn't need dialogues to work, but since it does have lines, Dan Gilroy wrote every piece of dialogue perfectly. Many of the lines have double meaning, while others reveal something about the character who said it. On the other hand this film is not easy to watch. There were moments when I laughed in my discomfort, but there were scenes where I just covered my face like it was a scary horror film. The directing is great, the film has a unique vibe to it and the visuals are simple, but beautiful. That's mostly because of the lighting and color grading. The slow camera movements add a lot to the tone, but the framing is absolute perfection and my favourite aspect of the cinematography of this film. The editing is great, the movie has a slow pace, but it's never boring. The production design is great and the effects look convincing. The acting performances are all great, but Jake Gyllenhaal gives the performance of a lifetime. Nightcrawler is an incredible movie, but it's not always enjoyable to watch.

a weird dark movie about a psycho with a camera who found a job to match himself and manipulates others more and more

"Nightcrawler" is a creepy, quirky thriller that delivers an entertaining mix of drama but is a slick and shallow movie and like it's protagonist desperate to be something more. Dan Gilroy who doesn't have the talent that his brother Tony Gilroy quite has in terms of storytelling creates something that could've been a few drafts away from being something interesting but only taps the surface level. The movie starts with Louis Bloom (which is probably the worst name for character in a dark thriller) a small time thief who thinks he can get away with everything who is caught stealing metal from a Los Angeles railyard. He knocks the guard unconscious, steals his watch and leaves with stolen manhole covers, fencing, and other materials. Jake Gyllenhaal plays this guy like a deranged overambitious but the film doesn't show us is why he's always like this. While trying to sell the materials at a scrap yard, Lou asks for a job, but the foreman, who has already been questioned by police looking for the manhole covers, refuses to hire a thief. While driving home in his beat-up Toyota Tercel, Lou sees cop car approaching a car crash on the highway and pulls over. Stringers—freelance photojournalists—arrive and record two police officers pulling a woman from the burning wreckage. One of the stringers, Joe Loder (Bill Paxton) explains to Lou that they sell their footage to local news stations. Inspired by this, Lou steals an expensive bicycle and pawns it for a camcorder and a police radio scanner. You immediately see this guy who has always cut corners in life and you wonder what's made him like this or why was he born a sociopath but it his makes him feel hollow as a character After two unsuccessful attempts at recording incidents, Lou records the aftermath of a fatal carjacking and sells the footage to KWLA 6. The morning news director, Nina Romina (Rene Russo) tells him the station is especially interested in footage of "graphic" accidents and violent crime in affluent, predominantly white areas. Lou hires an assistant, Rick (Riz Ahmed), a young homeless ma desperate for money. To give his footage more impact, Lou tampers with crime scenes, in one case moving a body to get a better camera angle. As Lou's work gains traction, he buys better equipment and a faster car (a red Dodge Challenger). This tackles some interesting subjects but it's ridiculous tone and underwritten characters gets in the way of it's execution, there's a scene 34 minutes in where Lou and Nina are talking and explains why he keeps annoyingly recites platitudes and he memorizes a lot of stuff online and took an online business course that you have lifetime goals for starting a business and why you want to pursue it and then launches into this spiel and recites the questions the course asked him and says "I recently remade my list and television news might be something I love." Okay this guy literally just discovered this profession days ago by happenstance and he really believes his own **** basically. He then goes and sits at the news anchor desk and then James Newton Howard score swells and it just feels so rote like it's telling us to feel good about him when all his choices have been incoherent with personality. This film also stumbles with some of the news room material especially involving Rene Russo's character a former new anchor now a nightside news director at first Nina comes across as Faye Dunaway's character in "Network" but from the beginning she's so blatantly unethical and oblivious to Louis' insanity that she eventually becomes a caricature in the last scene. One of the reason I never bought the Nina Romina character is because she's supposed to be this washed up anchor who hadn't achieved heights in journalistic career is willing to cross the line to get better coverage and be on top Rene Russo is too charming to play this kinda role. I didn't know she and Dan Gilroy were married before this and he didn't have much creative vision because he used so much of his brother Tony's crew to make this movie which kinda shows the director really miscast his own wife. He even cast his niece Carolyn Gilroy, the daughter of the editor his other brother John Gilroy as KWLA 6 employee Jenny.

“Nightcrawler” ist ein fesselnder Thriller mit einer großartigen Performance von Jake Gyllenhaal. Die düstere Atmosphäre und die Gesellschaftskritik sind packend, auch wenn der Film stellenweise etwas langatmig wirkt. Trotz kleiner Schwächen bleibt er ein intensives Erlebnis.

Ambulance-chasing with the lowest form of human pond scum, an aggressive crowd of opportunistic late-night freelance photographers who make their living on the graphic misfortune of others. "If you're seeing me, you're having the worst day of your life," brags the new recruit in this bloodthirsty professional sport, a hauntingly detached functional sociopath played by Jake Gyllenhaal. It's a top-notch performance, Patrick Bateman-esque in its eerie moral bankruptcy. Laser-focused and analytical in all things, he's amoral to the core. He communicates in long, precise sentences that cut straight to the point, strategically disarming his conversational adversaries before they even know they've entered a sparring match. If not for the obvious physical indications, one might question if he's human at all. The only exception might be his fondness for composition, an endless pursuit of sublime photographic harmony amidst the broken glass and **** bodies of a fatal auto accident. The rescue crews and police officers, also present amidst the carnage, are mere obstacles between his lens and the natural beauty he finds, bleeding and gurgling, upon the asphalt. As Gyllenhaal grows bolder and more calculated in his nightly hunt for that next great shot, the stakes increase and his eye grows more selective. It all culminates in a masterful climax, a white-knuckle chase scene, that pulled me from my cozy spot on the couch to a closer seat on the floor, only a few feet removed from the TV screen. I can't remember the last time I was so invested in a story.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Rewatched this movie last night and it’s still one of my favorite movies. Upon rewatch this film has moved up from my top 40 to top 30 and I can safely say this will definitely get more rewatches from me in the future.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Jake Gyllenhaal, with his cold and lifeless eyes, in one of the best, most precise performances in film history, is able to create a character that directly affects us psychologically. As an actor, there aren't much higher achievements than to be able to have the audience so fully engrossed in your character, and pay full attention to every move he makes, trying to study this man, anticipating, but also dreading his eventual fate.

loved this one. One of the most unique films to watch. jake brilliantly performed here. when i watched the trailer didn't expect this will be kind of unique

Had me just thinking about the movie for a couple minutes after the credits. If ending didn't make me a little sad it would be a 10

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

It's quite astonishing to see the fabrics of capitalism enabling someone like Lou to support his morally deviant ambitions. He's acting rationally, he's acting how the system demands him to act, he wants to get big, be the best version of himself after all. He's a prime caricature of today's self-help guides and influencers, that seek a negotiation and a business opportunity in every conversation. Lou is barely human anymore, he is just a tool. He's the product of capitalism thought to its very end, at least on an individual level. Yet the movie itself kinda lost me in the end, everything is vague and the ending was bitter, but didn't have any subversion or punch to it. Still a very watchable movie, I was at the edge of my seat and even found myself laughing at times.

In just under two hours, Nightcrawler portrays a lot, including desperation, false economies, grim crime, the hidden underworld to which we are blind, and the psychopathic evilness and overall lack of humanity human beings are capable of. As a man attempting to claw his way to the top of his game in the grimy media underworld of selling news footage, Jake Gyllenhaal gives the performance of his career.

This movie is okay. This movie is okey. This movie is okay. This movie is okay.

This is a film about a heartless sociopath who goes to extensively dangerous lengths in his crime and accident filming career to earn big money and to earn the respect of a certain lady and news broadcasting company. This man is emotionally unshakable, relentlessly determined, yet witty and smart, weaving his way through many opposers that are attempting to bring his job down. He will lie, scheme, and dodge his way through the journey of his career in a seemingly deceptive matter in order to be self-sufficient and successful. Jake Gyllenhaal plays an outstanding performance as Lewis, and implants on the mind such an unforgettable face. I am genuinely satisfied with this thriller because of it's gritty concept and talented acting.

No me explayaré demasiado, aunque tampoco es necesario. Esta película es de visionado obligatorio para todas las audiencias, ya que encapsula de forma magistral, el mundo en el que vivimos, su cultura, su pérfido sistema y los valores de este, pervertidos y en decadencia. Una joya del séptimo arte, sin duda alguna. Como el bueno de Lou repite, una y otra vez, durante el largometraje: "Si quieres que te toque la lotería, primero debes ganar lo suficiente como para comprar un boleto".

Wtf was that. A guy like this shouldn't have a happy ending. **** ending as far as I'm concernened. The movie doesn't encite any reason why this guy is sociopathic. We're just expected to go along, but even in the most sociopathic characters, there's some humanity that made them that way. I think the filmmakers missed the truth of the movie and i wish went for something more daring. Instead they scapegoated and sold out for something safe. Nightcrawler is an exciting wannabe attempt at a nifty thriller. But falls flat on its ass and leaves you with nothing to chew on.

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Great photography, acting, and direction paired with a satirical story about the sensationalism of news media outlets.

Suspension of disbelief should be an advisory caution when viewing 'Nightcrawler'. However, as long as one can over look the story's obvious absurdities it can be enjoyed as a compelling and superior thriller. Jake Gyllenhaal is superb as the sociopath who opportunistically decides to make a living by filming the misfortunes, injuries and death throes of others, which he then sells to TV. His total disdain for people and human life sets no bounds and this, in turn, leads him to TV news producer Renee Russo. She is fantastic as an ageing last chance producer who becomes entangled in his web. The scenes between them both literally crackle with there own kind of tension and are excellently written. The movie, mainly shot at night, makes excellent use of its L.A. locations, and a couple of set pieces (a home invasion and a restaurant shoot out) are outstanding and demonstrate first rate examples of how to create sustained tension. Flying under the radar, this is a film not to be missed.

My favourite movie ever. Despite the predictability of the storyline the great performance from Jake elevates the film. A terrifying look at our society's oppressive obsession for violence and our own hypocrisy.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Spend 2 hours watching a sociopathic, thieving entropenour crawl his way to success as he attempts to capture gruesome crime and accidents across la. Great cast with decent cinematography limited only by the basic plot.

A very interesting movie, I think the messages are still relevant to the modern day. Overall I recommend this movie to watch.

This film is an excellent portrayal of our addiction to watching violent media and our ceaseless craving for true crime story's. This film will ,no doubt, be a timeless classic. the performances are top notch and made me forget I was just lazing around in my bedroom. A must watch for any neo noir enthusiasts.

One of 2014's best movies. Part satire, part thriller, part social commentary, this film tells the story of one mans decline into madness with wit and polish.

The script and Gyllenhaal's performance are both award deserving. Not a masterpiece but definitely a great movie.

MacBethian levels of the battle between ambition and morality on display in this gripping thriller. Gyllenhaal is a powerhouse that demands full attention like the news reels he creates. The rich dialogue is as enthralling as the action sequences.

Lou Bloom is a determined man desperate for work, and one night he runs into a freelance news crew who film everything from car crashes to murder scenes to sell to the highest bidder. Wanting a piece of the action he enters the cut-throat world of ‘nightcrawling’. With an excellent lead performance from Jake Gyllenhaal, Nightcrawler is a tense and darkly humorous thriller that highlights the lengths the news media will go to just to secure ratings, and with events over the last few years it has only become more relevant since its initial release.

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The film is uncomfortable and extremely perverse. But the film is also really exciting and has a very strong main character, which Gyllenhaal surprisingly plays perfectly.

Jake Gyllenhaal plays the sociopath Lou Bloom and he plays him very well. But he is not the only sociopath in this movie. His character is flanked by Nina, a ruthless morning news director played by Rene Russo. Nightcrawler made me uncomfortable over its entire runtime. Good movie.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Nightcrawler staring Jake Gyllenhall (Lou) and Riz Ahmed (Rick) is a film that uses the art of storytelling and screenplay to produce an exaggerated exploitation into the world of media. Lou, a common thief bent on success, becomes obsessed with having the best camera shots of accidents and emergencies around the city to earn reputation and money. Lou does whatever it takes to make his way to the top including blackmailing news broadcasters and hiring the homeless. Gyllenhaal and Ahmed's performances are excellent and is a pleasure to watch as always. The music score is exceptional providing a threatening atmosphere, inviting dread into the scenes. The cinematography is stunning and reflects the Dan Gilroy's visionary screenplay. The unfortunate downside to this film however, is that the plot is to and extent predictable. Although you don't know exactly what Lou is going to do, the audience is given a rough idea of what Lou is always thinking and we are able to tell fairly quickly what Lou will do in order to achieve success. That being said, its still a very much enjoyable watch and makes you think about how corrupt the media industry can be.

This movie does a few things right, but two big things wrong. The set up is incompatible with the delivery and it should be longer to finish in a proper way for a movie that has a protagonist such as this one.

“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.”

Amazing movie. Near perfect. Creepy, dark, funny, just incredible. One of the greatest movies I've ever seen. In my top 3 ever. Jake Gyllenhaal is fantastic in this. I can't see this role played by anyone else. He is that good. Riz Ahmed is his partner and he is great too. Everyone in this is just great. God this movie is so good.

Outstanding performance of Jake Gyllenhaal. Thought "Isn't he real psychopath?"

I made my top ten list for movies of the decade and this is on it. I forgot about this one. It should be mentioned more because it belongs on everyone's list.

An excelling way to show an aspect of how the system allows people to succeed, a haunting look at news media culture.

A true Masterpiece. This Movie really shocked me. At first the Story seamed pretty boring, but it isn't what the Story is, its more about how the the character reacts in Moments that can make or break a carrier. The focus lies in Louis Bloom, there is one word to describe him "Sociopath". The friendliness he has showed through out the Movie is learned. Everybody can see that trough the fantastic acting from Jake Gyllenhaal. Louis Bloom Is shown to have money problems so we the audience can emphasize with him. But longer the Movie goes on the more we see that Louis Bloom isn't only the Protagonist he is also the Antagonist. The does thing what are Morally wrong just for the sake that he can get more successful. His decisions pushes the story along, this is what makes the Movie so great because your asking yourself whats gonna happen next.

Nightcrawler is definitely Jake Gyllenhaal's best work, and Dan Gilroy's best movie, with stellar writing and acting and a great, engaging storyline that does a wonderful job of exploring the depths of depravity of modern consumer culture.

The storyline is fairly predictable, but JG's performance is incredible. Gripping, thrilling and tense. Superb.

Jesus Christ, where do I start with Nightcrawler? This film is terrifyingly honest about how shady the news can be. Gyllenhaal is absolutely excellent and truly proves the villain can be the lead in a movie.

The story, the script and the acting are all great. Lou (Jake Gyllenhaal) plays a fantastic role as a "journalist" who doesn't seem to care about anyone emotions because he values his own career more and I think that shows how the real world actually works. Might be a longshot but that was my perception.