Run time: 1h 57m
Intro
“Nightcrawler” is a film that I have been meaning to watch for a long time. Although Dan Gilroy’s movie is purely that of fiction, he took inspiration from the famous crime photographer Weegee, which I found intriguing. With a star like Jake Gyllenhaal playing the lead and a premise that is psychologically thrilling, it was on my watchlist.
Plot
The story centres around an ambitious reporter, desperate to become an established figure in the news industry. We look into the mind of someone who is not mentally sane and the film shares themes that were introduced in ‘American Psycho’. This movie draws a tantalising line between right and wrong and it’s story is captivating from the first to the last scene.
Opening a curtain into the darker side of the news world, the film’s plot is fascinating and deserves a 8.5/10 rating.
Acting
Gyllenhaal takes up most of the screen time as he is the central focus of the film and he carries it. I have never seen him play a character, who is so awkward and unnerving, yet he delivers a masterful performance as Lou Bloom. Side character actors such as Rene Russo and Riz Ahmed provide solid performances to help support Gyllenhaal in an overall well-acted film.
I will give this film a 9/10 rating for it’s acting. The cast delivers Gilroy’s vision with a great rendition making for an eerily tense thriller.
Characters
Lou Bloom is an intriguing character. He comes across as inhumane and lacks basic human emotions. Because of this, some scenes were so uncomfortable they gave me goose bumps. The introduction of Rick brings a lightness to the film. He acts as a polar opposite to Bloom’s intense character allowing for some light relief and relatability at certain points.
Nightcrawler is very much a film about characters. It shines a light on the broadcasting industry and the sorts of people that play a darker role in it. These characters make for a gripping watch and so I will give them a 9/10 rating.
Dialogue
The script is written in such a way that we take a look into Bloom’s mind and get a better idea of how he thinks. It’s very subtly done and as the film progresses, there is this build of tension like a crescendo and the language contributes to this. Blooms language is precise and abnormal which accurately portrays him as a character.
The dialogue is a key aspect of the film and helps to emphasize Blooms character. Gilroy’s script is cleverly written warranting a 8.5/10 rating.
Music
The soundtrack, composed by James Howard, has an ethereal feel to it, letting you sink into your seat almost as if your in a dream or in this case a nightmare. For a lot of parts of the movie the music seems unfitting for the scene and adds to it’s illusionary appearance.
Whereas in a lot of films the soundtrack can play a minor role, in Nightcrawler it adds to the movie. Disconcerting music gives the film more mystery and helps add to the unnerving feeling you get whilst watching it. Therefore, I would give it a 8.5/10 rating.
Did the movie live up to my expectations? Yes, it did. Gyllenhaal plays the role of twisted reporter Lou Bloom in stellar fashion and if your a fan, you’ll see him in a way that hasn’t been seen before. The dark tone and shocking scenes create suspense, which can be felt all the way through the film. The movie is carried by it’s characters and acting and makes for a tense, yet enjoyable watch. I would recommend this film if you are in the mood for an edgy, dark thriller however, you may have to pay a small fee to rent as it’s not available for free on any online platforms.
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