That’s essentially what I do; I aim to be present when people are experiencing their most difficult days. Nightcrawler marks an impressive first effort from director and writer Dan Gilroy. The film features Jake Gyllenhaal as Louis Bloom, a petty thief in Los Angeles searching for employment. After witnessing an accident, he discovers the world of filming video news, realizing the potential to profit from real-life crime. He quickly inserts himself into this environment, and it doesn’t take long before Louis begins to question the ethical boundaries of his work. The film introduces us to the reality of nightcrawlers—people who document crimes for television—and it's a disturbing world. Gilroy skillfully combines different genres, incorporating elements of horror-thriller with satirical commentary on television news. Bloom is an unsettling character; a sociopath who easily navigates this shady landscape, and Gyllenhaal delivers a superb performance. Physically altered (Gyllenhaal lost weight for the role), with intense eyes, and reciting management phrases he’s learned online, Bloom views human suffering simply as a means to earn money. Nina Romina, the TV station editor played by Renee Russo, isn't portrayed as particularly virtuous either, and their connection is both uneasy and compelling due to the quality of the writing. The film’s visual style needed to complement its themes, and it does so effectively. Primarily set at night, the imagery consists largely of darkness and shadows interspersed with neon-lit cityscapes and subdued lighting. Bloom seems comfortable in this environment; his surroundings reflect his nature, as he's found a purpose within a darker side of Los Angeles that feels strangely believable. Gilroy and Gyllenhaal manage to draw viewers into the story so completely that we can’t tear ourselves away, even as Bloom descends further into moral depravity—we are right there with him, observing through his camera lens. The dynamic between Bloom and his only employee, Rick (Riz Ahmed), isn't fully developed, but this is a small issue. Overall, it's an intelligent piece of filmmaking; bleak yet stylish, thrilling, and disturbingly captivating. 9/10

Source on TMDB