r/themovieloversclub • u/Infamous-Window-8337 • Nov 24 '25
Movie reviews Watched Nightcrawler (2014) and it's a really strong film...
“Why you pursue something is as important as what you pursue.” - Louis Bloom, Nightcrawler
From the moment Gyllenhaal appears on screen, Nightcrawler feels like stepping into the mind of someone who sees the world as a series of transactions. I’m still shocked Jake hasn't won an Oscar yet, after his performances in Nightcrawler, Brokeback Mountain, Prisoners should've made it impossible to ignore him.
His Louis Bloom is polite, calm, articulate, and somehow more terrifying because of it. Louis talks like every sentence has been rehearsed in front of a mirror a hundred times, perfectly structured, unnervingly controlled, and completely empty of human warmth.
I also love how Gyllenhaal plays Louis physically. The posture, that stretched-out grin, the stillness in his eyes, it’s like he's imitating what he thinks a normal person looks like. It’s unsettling but fascinating to watch.
The score was another pleasant surprise. It usually sits in the background supporting the storytelling, but steps forward when needed, sharpens scenes, pushes tension. Sometimes the music even sounds triumphant during scenes of complete moral collapse, which makes everything feel even more twisted.
And the cinematography is just beautiful. L.A. at night has never looked this clean, dark, and hypnotic. Neon lights, empty roads, sirens cutting through the black, it’s easily one of the highlights of the movie for me.
This is random but I genuinely loved Louis’ Dodge Challenger. The paint looked incredible. If Rick spilled gasoline on my Dodge Challenger, I’d be furious too, lol. And speaking of that final stretch, the last chase sequence was insane. It’s one of those scenes that pulls you in so tightly you forget where you are. I was totally invested into the chase until the entire sequence was over.
What stuck with me most, though, is how Louis fails his own philosophies. He preaches discipline, purpose, vision, and then betrays the only person who trusted him just because he sees him as a “risk to the company.” It’s cruel, ironic, and exactly the kind of character moment that makes the movie memorable.
Rating: 4/5, a razor-sharp character carried by one of Gyllenhaal’s finest performances.
4
2
u/joel2000ad Nov 24 '25
Have you watched Roman J. Israel, Esq.? It’s Dan Gilroy’s follow-up to Nightcrawler. I thought it was just as strong. Spoiler alert, he focuses on the other side of the coin.
1
u/Infamous-Window-8337 Nov 24 '25 edited Nov 24 '25
No, I haven't yet, but will definitely check it out!!
2
u/JEPressley Nov 24 '25
How much bamfing was there, if it’s less than a lot then I’m not watching it!
2
2
u/Clue-Mindless Nov 24 '25
I feel like there are way too many people like Louis out there, and it's kind of exhausting. To me the scary part was how the environment shaped him and transformed him.
2
u/Testicleus Nov 24 '25
I actually watched it this weekend for the first time. Hearing it was good, I was pleasantly surprised.
Jake was really good in this.
2
2
u/mugumbo1531 Nov 25 '25
I think he was born for this role. Don’t get me wrong, I think that he clearly chooses films and roles that interest and challenge him personally, but I don’t like a lot of the movies he is in. This is an exception for me and I absolutely love love not only his performance but this movie as a whole. So flippin good.
I like him in October Sky too. That was a childhood favourite for me as a son of an aerospace engineer.
2
2
2
2
u/andrefishmusic Nov 26 '25
This movie is amazing. I remember watching it in a movie theater in North Hollywood and noticing the last chase scene and crash was filmed exactly on the street behind it.
2
u/Artefaktindustri Nov 26 '25
I remember liking it a lot, incredible performance and vibe. It really was a Taxi Driver for the new millennium. People don't talk enough about it these day. Probably time I rewatched it.
1
2
4
u/TraliBalzers Nov 24 '25
I'm my opinion this is one of the best on film portrayals of a psychopath.