Nightcrawler is a 2014 crime, drama, and thriller movie that revolves around Lou Bloom, a TV freelancer reporter. Lou’s character is portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal, who takes his role to new heights by showcasing his versatility as an actor. The movie is directed by Dan Gilroy and features an impressive cast that includes Rene Russo, Bill Paxton, Riz Ahmed, Michael Papajohn and Marco Rodriguez. In this article, we will delve deep into the movie’s synopsis and provide you with a comprehensive review.
Synopsis
Louis “Lou” Bloom is a man living in Los Angeles who is a thief by night. After being caught while stealing, Lou physically attacks the security officer, steals his watch and flees the scene. Lou sells the watch to a scrap dealer and inquires about a job while there, but is denied employment. While on his way home, Lou happens upon a car accident and sees a cameraman filming the scene. The cameraman takes the footage to a local news station for sale.
Inspired, Lou buys a camera and a radio scanner and starts roaming the city at night. Lou uses a radio scanner to listen in on the police radio frequency for any interesting happenings. Initially unsuccessful, it takes Lou three attempts to capture a violent carjacking on camera that he sells to a local TV station. Lou then meets Nina Romina, the news director, and pitches his footage to her. Nina informs Lou that the station is interested in footage of violent crimes and casualties that happen to white people.
Lou starts looking for an assistant and hires Rick, a homeless person. Together, they roam the city at night, listening to the radio scanner for any interesting occurrences. Lou and Rick come across a murder scene, and Lou alters the crime scene to get better footage. Lou’s footage is controversial but gets him the ratings he aims for. Lou asks Nina out, and she agrees after he threatens not to give her any more footage. Meanwhile, Detective Frontieri visits Lou at his home in connection with the murder case. Will Lou’s actions finally catch up with him?
Review
Nightcrawler’s underlying theme is “ambition against moral.” Lou Bloom proves this by crossing moral lines in his pursuit of success. He is a man who knows no bounds, stealing, physically attacking people, and even framing crime scenes to orchestrate dramatic footage. Bloom’s role as a ruthless reporter challenges viewers about the processes and ethics of modern media.
Jake Gyllenhaal’s acting skills in portraying Bloom’s sociopathic tendencies are impeccable, and his performance helped push the film into the thriller genre. Supporting actors Rene Russo, Bill Paxton, Riz Ahmed, Michael Papajohn and Marco Rodriguez also deliver stellar performances that add depth to the narrative.
Nightcrawler’s cinematography captures the city of Los Angeles in a way that enhances the film’s theme. This technique adds to the overall sense of dread that builds up throughout the movie, and coupled with the film’s tense storyline, keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat.
In terms of pacing, Nightcrawler does slow down at times, but it’s necessary to build tension and suspense, which is an essential aspect of the film. Overall, Nightcrawler impresses with its gripping storyline, brilliant direction, and incredible performances.
Conclusion
Nightcrawler’s synopsis is a mesmerizing tale of a freelancer reporter who seeks success at any cost. Its underlying message about the media’s ethics is also something viewers will find engaging. Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance adds yet another layer of intricacy to the already captivating storyline. With stunning cinematography and a gripping narrative, Nightcrawler is an unmissable thriller that will keep viewers hooked from beginning to end.
