Nightcrawler is a thrilling, dark journey into the mind of a sociopath and the cutthroat nature of success at all costs. It taps into that lurid vein of morbid fascination, where media companies outdo each other to provide the titillating imagery of humanity's savagery. Jake Gyllenhaal, an incredibly versatile actor who's been brilliant in many great films, pushes himself even further here. Nightcrawler is the directorial debut from veteran screenwriter and producer, Dan Gilroy (The Bourne Legacy, Two for the Money). Gilroy's penchant for crisp narratives, insightful dialogue, and shotgun action scenes are on full display in this dynamic film.

Gyllenhaal stars as Louis Bloom, a gaunt, violence prone thief with fierce personal ambition. He desperately wants the American dream; money, fame, power, and is willing to do anything to get it. Pure chance allows Bloom to witness a horrible accident on a Los Angeles freeway. He observes a freelance video team - Nightcrawlers, led by Bill Paxton, descend like a pack of wolves to record the bloody scene. Bloom is enthralled to see the video on the news and even more interested when he realizes how much money TV stations will pay for graphic footage. Bloom purchases a police scanner, a cheap camera, hires a desperate assistant (Riz Ahmed), and is off chasing down mayhem in the night. His work catches the eye of Nina (Rene Russo), an overnight news producer at channel six. She's fascinated by Bloom's incredible footage, but more than wary of his creepy personality.

Nightcrawler is a modern parable on the state of the media. Bloom is the perfect character to propel this story. He starts from nothing, claws his way to the top, destroying anyone or anything that holds him back. His means to an end are totally ignored by the benefactors of the ratings goldmine. Murders, car accidents, shootings, fires, the bloodier the better. Audiences flock to carnage. Who cares how the footage was shot, as long as the station can legally show it. Ethics and morality be damned when there's money to be made.

Jake Gyllenhaal is remarkable in Nightcrawler. Bloom is his darkest character to date, a completely amoral void of a man. His chilly demeanor, fluid delivery of Bloom's business and marketing plan lines, it's absolutely magnetic on screen. I found myself actually rooting for Bloom. He's clearly a psychopath, but dare I say a profoundly interesting one. I liken it to the way audiences root for Hannibal Lecter. He's a bad guy that you just want to win. Gilroy does a great job filming and setting the mood for Nightcrawler, but it is Gyllenhaal's powerhouse performance that sells this story.

Nightcrawler is not to be missed. I can't imagine it not being in my top ten this year. Gyllenhaal puts himself in contention, again, for all the major acting awards. Dan Gilroy is not a novice in the film industry. But being a great writer does not always translate into being a great director. Nightcrawler is an excellent film and ausp*cious debut for Gilroy. It would certainly be interesting to see the Louis Bloom character again. Nightcrawler isn't built for a sequel, but it sure left me wanting more.