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 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 1136 Ratings

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8.6

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8.6	User Score Universal acclaim based on 1136 Ratings

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Nightcrawler

Movie Details & Credits

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

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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Awards & Rankings

99	#99 Best Movie of 2014
26	#26 Most Discussed Movie of 2014
14	#14 Most Shared Movie of 2014

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

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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

Time - 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

Washington Post - 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

New York Magazine (Vulture) - 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

TheATeam7734

Jun 25, 2018

This film is one complete with brilliant performances and talented cinematography that tell a fascinating, gripping story about over-sensationalism in journalism, and the product of consumerism. Lou Bloom is a walking self-help book who helps to add many creepy layers to this tale.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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

26 of 32 users found this helpful266

sepeh

Dec 20, 2014

The Movie Is Great!

Jake Plays Like De Niro in Taxi Driver,and his Performance is great, I think or I hope that This Film Won the Oscars and Lead Actor for Jake Gyllenhaal

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

foxgrove

Nov 6, 2014

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 not unlikeable nutter who opportunisticallySuspension 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 not unlikeable nutter 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.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

ToFewViews

Feb 24, 2015

'Nightcrawler' is a great example of an actor playing/fitting his roll perfectly, Jake Gyllenhaal is able to make you feel completely immersed in his character and the film. Supporting actors seem much more dull compared to Gyllenhall's acting but still give engaging characters. Once the'Nightcrawler' is a great example of an actor playing/fitting his roll perfectly, Jake Gyllenhaal is able to make you feel completely immersed in his character and the film. Supporting actors seem much more dull compared to Gyllenhall's acting but still give engaging characters. Once the plot picks up pace at the midway point it keeps you guessing with what twisted/Partly Insane act the main character will do next to further himself. The story gives a good look on the Job of recording Fires/Car Accidents or anything worth reporting on the news and how twisted the job could be at times.Gyllenhaal enraptures his character perfectly and delivers a stellar performance, If you in need of a great Drama/Thriller give "Nightcrawler" a chance..and no, not the X-Men Character… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LowbrowCinema

Nov 3, 2014

Not the masterwork it wants to be but huge credit for trying and almost getting there. The film suffers from an uneven voice and bad pacing which all could have been corrected by an expert editor. NIGHTCRAWLER needs an objective eye to whip it into shape. But enough of the negative. So muchNot the masterwork it wants to be but huge credit for trying and almost getting there. The film suffers from an uneven voice and bad pacing which all could have been corrected by an expert editor. NIGHTCRAWLER needs an objective eye to whip it into shape. But enough of the negative. So much is so good and the film is full of surprises from the performances to its depiction of LA. Incidentally, about 90% of this film is shot like 50 feet from our house. I can only think of one other film that captured the "real" LA so closely and that is THE MORNING AFTER. This is the real LA. Not the reel LA. I don't want to give it away but I so appreciate that the sleaze factor is kept in check and actually feels like the real world rather than an over amped sizzle reel. Jake Gyllenhaal is very good but doesn't totally or intrinsically inhabit his character. He's a guy that's weird and scary but not so scary that you'd run away from him which is good but you see Gyllenhaal's wheels turning which is not so good.

But then there is the revelation... Rene Russo. She is masterful and every way and it is her scenes with Gyllenhaal that anchor the film and show what could have been. Further, these scenes are the ones which are so surprising they're almost shocking in their matter of factness.

I think I love this movie!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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 69 users found this helpful663

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