Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / Movie Review: Nightcrawler

Movie Review: Nightcrawler

September 11, 2015 by Ben Todd

Dan Gilroy’s Nightcrawler is a compelling suspense rollercoaster, but it is not for the lighthearted moviegoer. The film combines car chases and crime scenes with moral questions like, “Where does the media cross the line in crime journalism?” With these two factors in mind, Nightcrawler will keep you thinking after you leave the theater.

The story follows Louis Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal), a low-profile thief who turns toward capturing footage of crime scenes to sell to news networks in Los Angeles. As he improves his craft in the crime journalism world, the time between the police’s arrival and his arrival to the crime scene shrinks until he becomes the first person at the crime scene, which is where several ethical and moral questions are overlooked by our protagonist.

The movie moves along at a steady pace all the way until the climax of the movie, but that doesn’t mean there are dull moments. Nightcrawler is well paced and has action-packed moments but the best parts are found on the opposite spectrum. The quiet, dialogue-driven moments of the film may be dull for anyone who walks in on the middle of the film, but for audiences who have invested time in the movie, the suspense is pleasingly stressful. Those moments are filled with the audience’s questions screaming in their own heads, thanks to the amazing editing, cinematography and music.

Jake Gyllenhaal plays the crime journalist with a flawless performance. From how he talks to people directly without sugarcoating, to his pale, bony face, Lou was a convincing character both mentally and physically. Jake is supported by a solid cast with different reactions to the protagonist’s questionable methods. The audience will not identify much with the main character, but they will definitely understand the perspective of several of the supporting characters.

Nightcrawler is an original concept strongly told through the eyes of a crime journalist perfectly played by Jake Gyllenhaal. Most of the movie is saturated with suspense to keep the audience at the edge of their seats and the movie is so immersive that they will start to question the protagonist’s motives as if his were their own. This is a compelling movie to watch, just don’t expect to leave the theater light-hearted.

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

Other Opinion:

  • Not-so-friendly competition

  • Sing Song in the Expo Center presents an exciting opportunity

  • Micro-trends are a danger to Gen Z and the planet

About Ben Todd

You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / Movie Review: Nightcrawler

Other Opinion:

  • Not-so-friendly competition

  • Sing Song in the Expo Center presents an exciting opportunity

  • Micro-trends are a danger to Gen Z and the planet

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257Retweet on Twitter 15219188327381442571Like on Twitter 15219188327381442578Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178Like on Twitter 152160708755345817819Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

3 weeks ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

3 weeks ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved

Posting....