Nightcrawler

Nightcrawler, a 2014 American thriller film, is an enthralling exploration of the modern media landscape, highlighting the lengths to which some would go to ‘make it’ in a society increasingly enthralled with the illusory flicker of fame–or rather infamous notoriety. Lou Bloom, a charismatically psychotic anti-hero, is masterfully portrayed by acclaimed actor Jake Gyllenhaal. This movie melds elements of suspense, horror, and pitch-black humor to create a stunning portrayal of a man without a moral compass in a world where traditional boundaries are ever-blurring.

The narrative unfolds at the backdrop of nocturnal Los Angeles, illuminated only by the glaring city lights and the sporadic flash of emergency vehicle sirens, where Lou Bloom, a desperate job-seeker, turns to the seamy world of freelance videography. Even in this potentially exploitative environment, Bloom finds a perfect battleground to apply his ruthless ambition. His creepy yet earnest charm enables him to enter a realm where every gore or tragedy holds the potential to be a money-spinning spectacle.

Gyllenhaal's consummate skills are compellingly evident throughout the film, stripping down to a skeletal frame and baring a pair of unnerving, wide eyes that remain largely unblinking–an unsettling mirror of his inner character. He transforms Lou Bloom into a lean, nocturnal animal thriving on the misfortunes of others, hunting for ghastly headlines in the city's labyrinthine night.

Rene Russo, as a hard-nosed and cutthroat news producer Nina, channels a different sort of desperation. Just like Lou, she is driven by an insatiable appetite for success. Their lethal alliance forms one of the fundamental plotlines of the movie. On the other side, the late, great Bill Paxton as Joe, a seasoned competitor for the most harrowing news footage, mirrors a bitter reality of this murky industry.

The screenplay and direction of Nightcrawler are managed by Dan Gilroy, who wields his pen and camera with skill and subtlety to weave an intense and dramatically engaging narrative. The film is a riveting study into the darker recesses of obsession, providing a social commentary on the often ruthless nature of broadcast journalism and the sensationalization of violent news.

Throughout the course of the movie, Los Angeles—often glamourized in pop culture as the sunny land of dreams—morphs into a living, breathing secondary character that takes on a life of its own under the cover of darkness. It is a drastically different portrayal from what we are accustomed to, brooding and alive with horrors that the daylight hides. The omniscient city we watch through Bloom's lens offers a stark commentary on modern society's fixation on constant media and the insensitivity engendered by the mass consumption of violent news.

The cinematography must not go unpraised in this piece. Robert Elswit, the director of photography, paints the screen with an artful selection of camera angles and spectral lighting techniques, saturating certain scenes with an ominous aura that augments the narrative. Night life in Los Angeles never looked so tantalizing and treacherous simultaneously.

James Newton Howard's score provides an atmospheric backdrop to the film, subtly flitting between tension-ridden orchestral pieces to light, almost eerily cheerful tunes, heightening the dramatic poignancy of the narrative and setting up an uncomfortable juxtaposition between the audio and visual elements.

Nightcrawler is not just a movie, it’s a psychological thriller punctuated by immersive storytelling, impressive performances, and arresting visuals. It is a thought-provoking critique of the blurred lines between ethics, entertainment, and the business of news. Indeed, the film compels viewers to question the modern media's mantra of 'if it bleeds, it leads'. Every scene is carefully designed to invoke a sense of unease, yet you cannot help but stay hooked, much like the very news consumers that the film critiques.

This movie is recommended for fans of intense psychological thrillers, uncompromising character explorations, and piercing social commentaries. However, its themes are intense and unsettling, and as such, it may not be suitable for more sensitive viewers. Nightcrawler, with its striking performances and sharp narrative, is sure to stay imprinted in your mind long after the end credits roll. It leaves you with a hauntingly eerie impression of how blood and gore can be manipulated into prime time entertainment.