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2014 Thriller 'Nightcrawler' Starring Jake Gyllenhaal Added to Netflix

The 2014 independent noir thriller 'Nightcrawler' is now available to stream on Netflix. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal as an opportunistic Los Angeles stringer who records violent crimes for local television stations.

· 2 min read

Key takeaways

  • The 2014 noir thriller 'Nightcrawler' is now available to stream on Netflix.
  • Directed by Dan Gilroy, the film grossed $50 million and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
  • Jake Gyllenhaal plays Lou Bloom, a thief who records Los Angeles crime scenes to sell video footage to television networks.
  • The film features a supporting cast that includes Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed, and Bill Paxton.

What Happened

The 2014 independent noir thriller Nightcrawler has been added to the Netflix streaming platform. Directed by Dan Gilroy, the film stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Lou Bloom, a Los Angeles petty thief who transitions into a career as a freelance stringer. Bloom records video footage of dangerous crimes, violent accidents, and other local disasters, subsequently selling the exclusive material to late-night television news networks. The film's cast also features Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed, and the late Bill Paxton in supporting roles.

Why It Matters

The film's arrival on Netflix introduces a commercially successful independent thriller to the platform's audience. During its initial theatrical run, Nightcrawler grossed $50 million at the box office. The central narrative focuses on the appetite for sensationalized media and the mechanics of citizen journalism, themes that have maintained their relevance as social media networks have expanded over the past decade. While Dan Gilroy secured an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay, Gyllenhaal did not receive a Best Actor nomination for his performance. Publications including UPROXX and Far Out Magazine have cited this omission as one of the most prominent award snubs of the century.

Background

Nightcrawler made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2014. Within the film's storyline, Gyllenhaal's character becomes increasingly intertwined with the Los Angeles crime scene. Driven by his local television station's demand for more dramatic footage, Bloom abandons standard ethical boundaries by manipulating crime scenes and actively withholding evidence to increase the market value of his videos. Throughout his career, Gyllenhaal has performed in a variety of genres, balancing dramatic roles in films like Southpaw and Nocturnal Animals with larger productions such as Spider-Man: Far From Home, Ambulance, and Road House. To date, his sole Academy Award nomination stems from his performance in the film Brokeback Mountain.

Key Facts

  • Nightcrawler is a 2014 thriller directed by Dan Gilroy.
  • The film originally premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.
  • The independent production generated $50 million at the box office.
  • Jake Gyllenhaal stars alongside Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed, and Bill Paxton.
  • Dan Gilroy received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

Sources reviewed

Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.

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