Nightcrawler

Name: Nightcrawler
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: October 31, 2014
Duration: 117 min
Rating: 76
Cast: Bill Paxton, Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo

2014

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 45 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 1278 Ratings

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8.6

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8.6	User Score Universal acclaim based on 1278 Ratings

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Nightcrawler

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Movie Details & Credits

Open Road Films (II) | Release Date: October 31, 2014 | R

Starring: Bill Paxton, Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo

Summary: Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal), a driven young man desperate for work, discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Finding a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem, Lou muscles into the cut-throat, dangerous realm of nightcrawling -- where each police siren wail equals a possible windfallLou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal), a driven young man desperate for work, discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Finding a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem, Lou muscles into the cut-throat, dangerous realm of nightcrawling -- where each police siren wail equals a possible windfall and victims are converted into dollars and cents. Aided by Nina (Rene Russo), a veteran of the blood-sport that is local TV news, Lou blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. [Open Road]… Expand

Director: Dan Gilroy

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 117 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

RogerEbert.com Matt Zoller Seitz

Oct 31, 2014

This is a classic film, not just because every scene and line is casually beautiful and devoid of extraneous touches, but because its tone is mercilessly exact. Read full review

Film.com Jordan Hoffman

Sep 9, 2014

A fantastic, sleek and fun satire. Read full review

Richard Corliss

Oct 30, 2014

If you see him (Jake Gyllenhaal)onscreen in Nightcrawler, you’ll have a closeup view of one of the movie year’s most compelling sociopaths. He’s something you can’t turn away from. Read full review

The Guardian Henry Barnes

Sep 14, 2014

From a subdued start Nightcrawler unfurls into a ghoulish and wickedly funny satire on journalism, the job market and self-help culture. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

Oct 30, 2014

The film has a sulfuric, Dostoyevskian quality — and sick sense of humor — that captures the muted aquarium that Los Angeles becomes at night, a spell that’s broken once plot overtakes mood. Read full review

McClatchy-Tribune News Service Roger Moore

Oct 29, 2014

Rene Russo is spot-on as Nina, an aging TV news director who is the only person Bloom will sell his footage to. Read full review

David Edelstein

Oct 31, 2014

After a few minutes you know everything about Louis you’re going to know; the only surprise in Nightcrawler is the level of grotesqueness it achieves. There’s more insight (and entertainment) in an average sketch from the old SCTV series; I kept imagining Joe Flaherty’s horror host Count Floyd climbing out of his coffin and chanting, “Oooh, that Louis, he’s veh-ry skerrrr-y, kiddies — ahwoooooooo!” Read full review

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User Reviews

BobCat51

Jul 23, 2015

This is an absolutely fantastic character study with great directing and a brilliant performance from Jake Gyllenhaal. I've watched this film several times and always feel emotionally effected and moved by its powerful and wonderfully designed character.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

exmordis

Oct 31, 2014

Nightcrawler is a modern achievement.

Jake Gyllenhaal plays a sociopath bent on success, and he won't let anything or anyone stand in his way. Gyllenhaal is really hitting his stride this year, complete with this movie, Enemy, and Prisoners. I personally think this is his best role yet.Nightcrawler is a modern achievement.

Jake Gyllenhaal plays a sociopath bent on success, and he won't let anything or anyone stand in his way. Gyllenhaal is really hitting his stride this year, complete with this movie, Enemy, and Prisoners. I personally think this is his best role yet. He is utterly disturbing at one point, hilarious at another, and horrifying at others. I spent the entire movie wondering if he could top the insanity of the last line he said, and he always did.

The cinematography is beautiful and the editing is crisp and fast. Do not think this is an action movie, it is very much a thriller. However, one scene in the movie has some of the best editing and shots I've seen in an action scene in the past few years.

Story is interesting and lets you dive into the intricacies of crime reporting in Los Angeles. There were some very minor things I would change to let the movie feel more sturdy near the end, but it felt complete.

This is a movie you have to see. Gyllenhaal should be guaranteed an Oscar Nomination.… Expand

33 of 40 users found this helpful337

5thStFreddie

Jan 15, 2015

At first, I found myself not caring for Glyllenhaal's character. But little by little, he drew me in. And the writing is superb: his quirky, unexpected dialogue and edgy personality became mesmerizing. A remarkable performance by an actor who's made some terrific films - Donnie Dark, EndAt first, I found myself not caring for Glyllenhaal's character. But little by little, he drew me in. And the writing is superb: his quirky, unexpected dialogue and edgy personality became mesmerizing. A remarkable performance by an actor who's made some terrific films - Donnie Dark, End of Watch - but outdoes himself him. Loved it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Nov 2, 2014

The title refers to camera crews who troll the dark hours, listening for police calls and rushing to bloody crime scenes in hopes of selling their footage to TV stations. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a fast-talking, self-confident new entrant into the field, who's determination for success crossesThe title refers to camera crews who troll the dark hours, listening for police calls and rushing to bloody crime scenes in hopes of selling their footage to TV stations. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a fast-talking, self-confident new entrant into the field, who's determination for success crosses the line between objective observer and dangerous participant. His character is a smart, but not saavy charmer without a conscience and Gyllenhaal makes him fascinating with masterful skill. The film is disturbing and ultimately, suspenseful as we watch him get deeper into success.… Expand

4 of 6 users found this helpful42

horcrux2007

Apr 3, 2015

Nightcrawler is an exciting and gritty crime-thriller movie that explores the depths of LA crime-journalism at its most gruesome. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Lou Bloom who films crime scenes and sells them to a local news station, while blurring the lines between observer and participant. TheNightcrawler is an exciting and gritty crime-thriller movie that explores the depths of LA crime-journalism at its most gruesome. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Lou Bloom who films crime scenes and sells them to a local news station, while blurring the lines between observer and participant. The movie works best as a character study of Lou, showing how he can manipulate people into helping him in this dangerous profession and the lengths he will go to sell the video to the news. It's dark, intelligent, and violent while still being able to engage and entertain the audience.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

tvnewsguido

Dec 4, 2014

Great sociopathic fun!

The TV news business is a dirty place in real life - "Nightcrawler" is only a slightly heightened version of the reality.

Gyllenhaal is perfect.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

bigfoot6463

Nov 1, 2014

Major Disappointment! Predictable to the point of no return. If you know what is going to happen throughout the movie, what fun or enjoyment can anyone get from that?
Slow paced and almost no pulse for most of the film. Even the twist at the end was not a twist at all because you knew itMajor Disappointment! Predictable to the point of no return. If you know what is going to happen throughout the movie, what fun or enjoyment can anyone get from that?
Slow paced and almost no pulse for most of the film. Even the twist at the end was not a twist at all because you knew it was coming 20 minutes into the movie. No thrills here to be found.… Expand

6 of 80 users found this helpful674

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98	#98 Best Movie of 2014
27	#27 Most Discussed Movie of 2014
14	#14 Most Shared Movie of 2014