Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
4/4
Good, but a few ethical issues linger
Evan Wheatley - wrote on 10/21/2016
Local news stations live and die by the ratings. Whether it’s the royal wedding or a high-speed chase, reporters toil around the clock for the next big story that will increase the viewership and advertising revenue of their stations. When however, does the next big story cease to be news? “Nightcrawler” highlights the broad line between good journalism and morbid entertainment, and what can happen when that line is crossed.
Despite being credited as the film’s lead, there is no trace of Jake Gyllenhaal in “Nightcrawler.” Losing 30 pounds to play the part, Gyllenhaal immerses himself into the role of petty thief Lou Bloom both physically and psychologically.
From the opening shots of the film, you can tell that something is off about Bloom. After stealing chain …
Rating of
N/A
Einzelgänger
cinegeek.de - wrote on 03/15/2016
Nightcrawler ist die Geschichte eines Amateur Kameramanns, der ein kleines, aber erfolgreiches Geschäftsmodell erfindet, jeden täuschend und manipulierend, der ihm im Weg steht. Vom ehemaligen Kameramann Robert Elswit lernen wir, wie ein Soziopath zum Jedermann werden kann. Es ist das Portrait eines gestörten, grenzüberschreitenden Einzelgängers. Nightcrawler ist aber auch eine blutige Medien-Satire von Format! Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) wird Zeuge eines Autounfalls. Er sieht, wie ein Reporter (Bill Paxton) die Rettung des verletzten Fahrers filmt. Die Aufnahme läuft am nächsten Morgen im Frühstücksfernsehen. Lou kauft sich also eine Kamera und zieht damit durch die Nacht als "freischaffender Journalist" mit dem Polizeifunk im Ohr. Er filmt Unfälle, Mord und Raub, um es …
Rating of
3/4
In the end we are all a bit like Lou ...
ikkegoemikke - wrote on 04/22/2015
"My motto is if you want to win the lottery you've got to make money to get a ticket."
What a brilliant performance by Gyllenhaal in this rather morbid and exciting thriller. At times I was wondering whether it was meant to be amusing and jokingly or that it was intended to be presented as a serious and shocking story. Judging from my own chuckling at times and disbelief about what was being shown, I could only conclude that ultimately it was a mix of both. And it's masterly portrayed by Gyllenhaal, the chameleon of Hollywood and someone I do appreciate very much as an actor. After his appearance in "Prisoners" (which was an exceptionally exciting film) and the arty movie "Enemy" (as a story it was not my cup of tea, but in terms of performances it was again a success) just like …
Rating of
3/4
Louis Bloom - the new Milo Minderbender
Indyfreak - wrote on 03/19/2015
Jake Gyllenhaal seems to have finally made the great leap forward as a method actor in the only acceptable form these days: playing an absolute psychopath in the form of the thoroughly reptilian amatuer entrepreneur Louis Bloom. Bloom is a petty thief who by sure force of personality, and an admittedly commendable business acumen, becomes a nightcrawler - a special kind of freelance photographer that records crime scenes that occur at night. In the words of a seasoned pro, the value of the material for news stations to purchase is measured by "if it bleeds it leads".
Gyllenhaal's character is one of those rare down-to-earth megalomaniacs who feels 100% genuine because he's not motivated by world domination but rather the power to bargain and persuade for whatever he wants. And if he …
Rating of
4/4
Nightcrawler review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 12/20/2014
"You have to make the money to buy a ticket." Jake Gyllenhaal reminds me of Brad Pitt in terms of solid acting and selecting very engaging screenplays and unique characters on film. Source Code, Donnie Darko, Zodiac, Brokeback Mountain are just a few brilliant pictures he has been affiliated with. With this silent gem, the movie is a mixture of Taxi Driver (Lou Bloom who obviously has some people issues is a geek crossed with Travis Bickle, alone but yet a goal setter), Broadcast News, aura of Drive and one of his documentary style film End of Watch. This one gets better and better as each scene progresses. It has that crime mystery documentary and even a touch of dark comedy (yes the way he explains things to his "employee" was just hilarious especially if you have been working for …
Rating of
2.5/4
not a lot happens one scene youve seen it all
smeagol - wrote on 12/09/2014
Jake Gyllenhaal plays a strange and dodgy guy who ends up becoming a free lance cameraman who goes to scenes of accidents and crimes and records them as they happen and sells the footage to a tv news channel.
he takes things to far and will do pretty much anything to get the footage he wants .
i was expecting this film to be much better. most of it plays out like a tv movie. not a lot happens. basically he is a uncaring weirdo the end , one scene and youve really seen the whole movie as it doesn't go anywhere from there. yes he is strange and heartless but where;s the story? where's the ending wheres the action and other things going on or point to the film? , there was no big story within the film. the idea is good as is the acting but the only action is near the end then the movie …
Rating of
3.5/4
Steady hands!
Matthew Brady - wrote on 11/22/2014
Lou Bloom: "Steady hands, steady hands".
The story is about a young man, desperate for work, stumbles upon the seedy underworld of L.A.'s crime journalism. The break-neck pace is all about being the first on the scene - murder, accidents, fires, mayhem - and selling the gratuitous footage to the local news stations. But the better he gets, the more likely he is going to become the next story.
I heard so many great things about Nightcrawler. The critics said the same like, "It's a flawless peace of entertainment" or "One of the best movie of the year".- So I was looking forward to the movie by hearing all the good buzz from it, and after seeing it I can say that this movie is flawless.
Jake Gyllenhaal gives one of his best performance he ever did in his career. He lost a lot of …
Rating of
4/4
"Nightcrawler" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 11/06/2014
While rubbernecking a freeway accident, a small time thief becomes fascinated with the work of a freelance cameraman and finds he has the skills to fit in perfectly with the sensationalist, scaremongering world of TV News. Jake Gyllenhaal brilliantly sheds his heart throb status to become a slimy, sociopathic misanthrope who revels in the sleazy underworld of L.A.'s underbelly as he chases the most bloodthirsty stories possible to sate the appetite of an amoral news network. Gyllenhaal's character has heavy shades of Rupert Pupkin and the smart script is a very sly indictment of the agenda of American TV News and its viewers, as well as embodying the spirit of today's L.A.; a soulless, opportunistic kleptomaniac with a self-help mantra in place of a soul and a business model consisting …
Rating of
4/4
An Exciting and Skin 'Crawl'-ing Rush!
Unknown - wrote on 11/03/2014
'Nightcrawler' is an extremely entertaining watch that touches on psychologically disturbed areas. Tight plotting and solid direction are the driving force to the film's perfect escalation of tensity. Each new situation increases in provocative nature, just as our main character (Lou) becomes more obsessed with climbing the ranks of his new found career. I was completely absorbed by his progression into a full-blown sociopath. His lack of human apathy, and skewed morals, makes him volatile. But his smarts and skills are something to be admired. I was scared of his possible actions, yet still invested in his rise to power. Most of this comes from the terrific dialogue. Lou's sophisticated word choice and professional delivery leave a harsh bite when spouting deliciously mean …
Rating of
4/4
One of the Best Movies I’ve Seen this Year
Looneymanthegreat - wrote on 11/02/2014
Did you know that Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the greatest actors working today? I sure didn’t before I saw Nightcrawler. I really liked him in Enemy, but I didn’t know he was as talented as all this. His performance in Nightcrawler changed my perception of him as an actor all together, and it will probably change yours as well.
Nightcrawler is one of the best movies that I’ve seen this year so far, and while there are a lot of contributing factors that lead me to that conclusion, Jake Gyllenhaal’s marvelous performance is the biggest among them. He becomes a whole new person in this role; transforming himself from the handsome deadpan serious Gyllenhaal we know from other productions into a manic psychotic Woody Allen like character. Everything from his posture to his …
