Louis (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) is a persistent and pushy thief and scam artist who will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Surviving by stealing various items and selling them for cash, he scavenges anything, including manhole covers and metal fencing, which he sells to scrap metal dealers. Despite his criminal activities, Louis is eager to find a legitimate job that allows him to climb the ranks and achieve wealth and success. However, he struggles to find a position that feels the right fit for him.
Louis drives back home after conducting business with a local scrap metal dealer; on the way, passing a terrible car accident. Curious, he pulls over and gets out of his car to look. At the same time, a van arrives, and two men jump out with video cameras, eager to film the tragic scene. Louis observes the two men in action and learns their profession involves recording graphic content, which they can sell to local news outlets for money. Inspired by this, Louis decides to pursue a similar line of work.
The next day, Louis steals a high-end bike and takes it to a local pawnbroker. Instead of accepting cash for the bike, Louis negotiates and walks out with a Police scanner and a camcorder fitted with a nightlight. That night, Louis begins to sit in the car while listening to his Police scanner, hoping to hear something horrible or violent and get it on camera. As Louis continues to chase down tragedies at night, he discovers he struggles to drive fast and navigate simultaneously. To be more effective, Louis employs a homeless man named Rick (Riz Ahmed), who has some construction work experience. Their careers as “Nightcrawlers” have begun. How far will Louis be willing to go to get to the top of the game?
Nightcrawler is a crime thriller with many dramatic and tense moments. The film was written and directed by Dan Gilroy, whose other films include the Netflix exclusive Velvet Buzzsaw (2019) and Roman J. Israel, Esp (2017). Jumping straight into the praises, Nightcrawler is a fantastic film. Firstly, the film’s leading performance from Jake Gyllenhaal is often creepy, unsettling, dangerous and selfish. Even Louis’s appearance has a disturbing look, and it’s evident that the actor has worked hard to transform into this character fully. Everything about Louis is unlikeable as a character, but as an audience member, you cannot help but enjoy watching his journey as he starts with nothing and works his way up to a whole new level as a nightcrawler. The supporting roles from Riz Ahmed, Bill Paxton and Rene Russo are, again, brilliant.
I love the storyline of this film, and the concept and introduction of a ‘Nightcrawler’ is something I had never personally heard of nor had ever seen introduced in a movie before. Everything about this film feels like it’s something new and fresh, not to mention the entire story is unpredictable, especially the third act and climax, which is bound to get your heart thumping with tension. The cinematography is also great as Dan Gilroy brings the city streets to life, delivering wonderful angles and shots, including the focus on Louis’s fast-paced driving and his beautiful car. I was also delighted to hear composer James Newton Howard deliver on the soundtrack!
Overall, I love Nightcrawler for everything it is. It has fun, fresh new concepts and an unpredictable storyline that contains many suspenseful and tense scenes throughout. To date, this is also my favourite performance from actor Jake Gyllenhaal, who honestly brings a creepy, unhinged character to life. This was also a step forward in Gilroy’s career. James Newton Howard’s score is effective and works wonderfully with this thrilling ride. Nightcrawler is one of Walkden Entertainment’s top-rated films, so don’t hesitate to follow the strong recommendation to get onto this one today!
Nightcrawler (2014) is Now Available on Blu-ray thanks to Madman Films!
FILM SCORE: FINESSE!
Published: 18th January 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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