Nightcrawler [2014]

November 14, 2026

As always, I struggle to begin writing about movies that not only impacted me profoundly but also about those who are perfect. Perfect in ways I didn’t know existed before I saw them. Just to be clear, this one didn’t impact me profoundly but is sure damn perfect. Nightcrawler is a deliciously dark and sometimes even hilarious neo-noir thriller offering a unique experience. If you haven’t seen it, I envy you. And if you have seen it, I’m here to remind you, it’s time for a rewatch. Before we go any further, I should warn you that this movie is somewhat graphic and deals with some pretty disturbing issues. I’m guessing you already guessed as much, but I’d better be on the safe side and tell you now. Not that any of that should deter you from watching it.

Despite working on so many levels, it’s exceedingly easy to watch. We will be following Louis Bloom, a petty thief who one night realizes that he can make a lot of money filming the aftermath of accidents or crimes. Once that idea forms in his head, Bloom will use good old American entrepreneurial spirit to reach the top. What follows is a brutal and bizarre odyssey examining not just the character of Louis Bloom and our society but also the media, police, and corporate philosophy. There are a lot of things to unpack here, and I will unpack them in a much bigger blog post that’s coming. For now, let’s stick to the basics. First of all, we need to make an important distinction.

Nightcrawlers or stringers are independent journalists filming the aftermath of accidents or crimes. Ambulance chasers are lawyers who are basically doing the same thing, only offering their legal services. If you’re looking for a great movie featuring ambulance chasers, I highly recommend the Argentinian classic Carancho (The Vulture) from 2010. Funnily enough, Gyllenhaal saw his character as a coyote. They even considered titling the movie like that. The first thing that’s going to hit when you play Nightcrawler is the stunning cinematography. Crystal-clear focus, just the right color saturation, along with slightly increased contrast, visually pull you into the story. And that red 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT 392 is just a thing of beauty.

If I didn’t know any better, I would say that the cinematographer is the legendary Roger Deakins and not Robert Elswit. Deakins is the guy behind such classics as Blade Runner 2049, Sicario, and No Country for Old Men. The entire story takes place at night, which gives the movie this dark and almost magical atmosphere. Just a perfect decision by Dan Gilroy, who’s both the writer and the director of this masterpiece. And this is his film debut, no less! The story takes place in the City of Angels, the one and only Los Angeles. This adds another flavor to the already full to the brim cocktail before us. It goes without saying that the cast, led by Jake Gyllenhaal, did a terrific job.

I personally think that he deserved an Academy Award for his performance here. Rene Russo makes a huge comeback as Nina, the ruthless station manager. At least for me, I best remember her from the nineties classics like Die Hard 3 or Ransom. And Riz Ahmed shows you why he’ll be having one hit after another in the coming years. Finally, it’s always a pleasure to see Bill Paxton, who sadly passed away just a couple of years later. Gyllenhaal channeled his inner Donnie Darko, rarely blinking and dropping more than 20 pounds. You can argue that Nightcrawler is a character study, but there’s not much to study with Bloom. He’s a psychopath, plain and simple.

However, there’s something that makes his character much more chilling and dangerous. Louis Bloom, or Lou as his non-existent friends like to call him, is able not only to hold a regular conversation, but he’s also decently socially adjusted. I mean, you can tell right away that something is not right there. It’s just that it’s not a blaring alarm but a gut feeling, a sense that this man is different. It’s important to note that his behaviour is not escalating; only the circumstances he finds himself in are. I want you to think about that while watching the lengths he’s willing to go to get ahead. A huge part of why Nightcrawler works so well is because it’s realistic. It’s realistic both when it comes to the characters and the story.

You can totally see someone doing the same shit Bloom did. Hell, maybe one of your friends or people you know is already doing this in their own way. There’s one scene in particular which highlights and that’s the dragging scene. You’ll know it when you see it. Moving on, I already mentioned that this movie works on many different levels, and one of those levels is comedy. At times, this is a pitch-black comedy, with snappy and hilarious one-liners. Other times, the sheer absurdity of the situation creates this darkly comical undertone. I just loved the whole corporate angle where Bloom is presenting himself as a one-man corporation.

If you ever worked for one of those, you’ll recognize the same spiel. Finally, if you want to learn more about these nightcrawlers, I recommend you check out a documentary series, Shot in the Dark. It’s available on Netflix, and it follows three freelance journalists as they make their living as nightcrawlers or stringers. Released in 2017, it’s a perfect opportunity to see what’s actually going on in this whole mess. If it is movies you want, Drive [2011] and Taxi Driver are both good choices. When I’m finished writing my longer analysis of the movie Nightcrawler, I will leave a link here. So, be on the lookout for that.