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Movie Maven: 'Nightcrawler'

  Play Now [5:05]

by Stephanie Curtis

October 31, 2014

jake gyllenhaal nightcrawler
Jake Gyllenhaal in 'Nightcrawler'
Open Road Films

MPR's Movie Maven Stephanie Curtis joins Steve Seel and Sean McPherson (in for Jill Riley) to talk about a new thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

Gyllenhaal plays Lou Bloom, a man desperate for work who discovers the world of L.A. crime journalism. Finding a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem, Bloom soon gets swept up in a shady world where "if it bleeds, it leads" means big money. Rene Russo plays a news director who purchases Gyllenhaal's footage.

Stephanie compares Nightcrawler to the 1970s noir films such as Taxi Driver and Hardcore. "But it's not a dark drama," she says. "It's got a lightness to it. … also, awesome car chases."

Stephanie also praises the work of Gyllenhaal, whom she says completely carries the weight of this character study. Listen to the audio above to hear the complete review.

Nightcrawler is rated R and is playing everywhere.