Nightcrawler is a 2014 neo-noir thriller that examines the disturbing practices of sensationalism or unethical journalism. Dan Gilroy, who was both the writer and the director of the film as well, is a first-time director, and this film is considered his first work. It has Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead role of Lou Bloom, a ruthless and obsessive man who prowls the violent and criminal underbelly of late-night Los Angeles, filming his encounters to sell to the news stations. With support from fantastic actors such as Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed, and Bill Paxton, Nightcrawler serves as both a character study and social commentary on today’s media industry.
Origins and Inspirations
Dan Gilroy initially sought to create a film inspired by the life of Weegee, a New York City street photographer known for his vivid depictions of crime scenes in the 1940s. Weegee’s work was defined by its graphic intensity, something Gilroy found fascinating but ultimately opted to approach from a different angle. Realizing the unique potential of the “stringer” profession—independent videographers who capture graphic footage for news stations—Gilroy created Lou Bloom, an antihero who embodies the darker aspects of capitalism and unemployment. In Nightcrawler, Bloom’s descent into moral depravity provides a stark critique of consumerism’s impact on the media.
Plot Summary: Lou Bloom’s Dark Journey
Lou Bloom, a petty thief with big ambitions, finds himself captivated by the profession of freelance crime journalism after witnessing a team of stringers at a fiery car crash. Fascinated by the potential for profit, Lou decides to enter the stringer business. He starts small, pawning stolen goods to afford a basic camcorder and police scanner. As he becomes more adept, he buys better equipment and recruits Rick, a homeless man in desperate need of cash, to help him. Lou’s lack of ethics and hunger for the perfect shot soon lead him to manipulate crime scenes, endangering lives and tampering with evidence to create more compelling footage.
Lou’s media career takes off on the national stage, and he begins to work out a sordid deal with Nina Romina, a local news director, performed by Rene Russo. Lou takes handle of the graphic photos she requires in order to further his aims and even goes so far as to suggest sex as a means of assuring that his film will always be wanted. He gradually tries to seduce Nina, but things don’t work as he would desire, and he ends up hurting her. As a result, his underlying manipulations develop, and he turns to violence. This brings into focus the ethical and moral decline that pervades media establishments, ready to show appalling scenes only to increase ratings.
Thematic Analysis: A Critique of Media and Consumerism
The theme of Nightcrawler that stands out the most is how unethical journalism consumers are created – necessity creates supply. The Nightcrawler movie illustrates a society that is in constant search for blood and gore. Everything is done to please the voyeuristic tastes of the viewers. Nina reflects the media empire that trades in fear and criminality as a means of keeping the people entertained, whereas Lou is the personal crusader who does everything for success in this kind of profession.
According to people like Dean Biron of Overland, who critiques this film and postulates it to be a “shattering critique” of contemporary journalism, entertainment news channels give more significance to the bloodiest scenes and sad stories than to reality and its social relevance. Instead of condemning journalism per se, Gilroy aims for the spectators to introspect on their contributions towards inhumane practices — the consumption of exotic news. The picture emphasizes the idea, however, that Lou is only one possible outcome of what the audience calls for and that such a mess is simply the result of society encouraging one to behave in an immoral way.
Genre and Style: Neo-Noir with Dark Humor
Nightcrawler defies easy classification, blending elements of thriller, dark comedy, drama, and horror within a neo-noir aesthetic. Gilroy’s depiction of Los Angeles as a lawless urban landscape populated by predators mirrors Lou’s animalistic nature, which Gyllenhaal likened to a coyote’s. The cinematography, helmed by Robert Elswit, captures the city in stark detail, using wide-angle shots and deep focus to portray Los Angeles as both a character and setting of primal conflict.
Much of Gyllenhaal’s portrayal is steeped in self-deprecating humor, influenced by movies such as The King of Comedy (1982) and To Die For (1995). At times, Lou’s warped sense of reality can be comical, but it is also rooted in the tangible world. He doesn’t have a redemptive change in any form and is cynical from the beginning to the end of the film, a case which makes the character’s complexity and repulsiveness more effective.
Gyllenhaal’s Transformation and Performance
Jake Gyllenhaal’s portrayal of Lou Bloom is hauntingly memorable. To prepare for the role, he dropped close to 30 pounds, mirroring Lou’s voracious, almost skeletal drive. Gyllenhaal’s physical appearance adds to his character’s unsettling aura, emphasizing Lou’s single-minded pursuit of success at any cost. Throughout the production, Gyllenhaal was instrumental, not only in his character’s development but also in shaping the film’s tone and visual style, often working closely with Gilroy on casting and shot composition.
One of the most important parts of the film was Gyllenhaal’s performance as Lou. His steely stare, fake smile and rage-dosed malevolence palpably emphasize the movie’s underlying concepts, destruction of morals and ascendency of narcissism. Gyllenhaal’s performance, combined with his perception of Lou’s character, makes Nightcrawler the role of a lifetime.
Supporting Cast and Noteworthy Performances
The film is further propelled by the supporting cast, not least Rene Russo’s portrayal of Nina Romina, who is able to embody a combination of weakness and savagery. There is a certain lack of empathy as Lou is driven by the desire to better his competitors, and Christine’s yearning to improve the numbers is right with Lou’s ego, fostering a difficult environment. Riz Ahmed gives a great performance as Rick, who is unwilling to help at first but soon finds himself among Lou’s firm supporters. Bill Paxton also acted well, as Joe Loder, an affluent and ruthless freelance journalist, gets into trouble with Lou due to his jealousy.
Production Challenges and Filming Process
Filming Nightcrawler was a challenging endeavor. With a modest $8.5 million budget, the crew filmed in 80 locations over just four weeks, often shooting right up until dawn. Gilroy and Elswit used the time constraints to their advantage, capturing a raw, almost documentary-like realism that enhances the film’s sense of immediacy and danger. The team employed actual stringers as technical advisors, adding authenticity to Lou’s night-time pursuits across Los Angeles.
The film’s score by James Newton Howard further amplifies its impact with an eerie electronica soundscape influenced by 1980s synth. Rather than an expected ominous score, Howard’s music plays to Lou’s triumphant perspective, making his actions feel even more unsettling.
Marketing and Release
Rather than billboards and posters, Open Road Films decided to take a more creative approach, marketed the movie using Lou’s video resume, and created fake social media accounts. This approach, which was consistent with the theme of the film, got the people immersed in Lou’s immoral character even before they watched the Nightcrawler movie.
After premiering at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, Nightcrawler received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for Gilroy’s screenplay and Gyllenhaal’s chilling performance. The film went on to gross over $50 million, significantly surpassing its budget, and became a cult favorite, with many critics ranking it among the best films of 2014.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Nightcrawler has received much praise, with some even calling it a modern cinematographic film. Nightcrawler cleverly depicts the media’s influence and highlights its effectiveness in posing critical questions about the nature of society its insatiable pursuit of success, and the core values of morality.
