5. Nightcrawler (2014)
2014’s Nightcrawler is well-known for its deeply disturbing exploration of journalism’s role in modern society, so its place on this list is well-deserved. Starring the always excellent Jake Gyllenhaal – who, despite his mainstream success, is still one of Hollywood’s most underrated actors – as Louis “Lou” Bloom, as aspiring photojournalist. Lou’s lack of morals seems to mesh perfectly with his chosen career, and Nightcrawler sees him engage in a string of escalating drastic measures to achieve success.
Nightcrawler has become something of a cult classic, with praise heaped specifically on Gyllenhaal’s performance. The way that Nightcrawler draws parallels between Lou’s unhinged behavior and success in the world of journalism delivers an interesting commentary on not just modern journalism but society at large. It’s that subtext that enhances Nightcrawler‘s ability to so thoroughly unsettle its audience.
Nightcrawler is a disturbing movie on multiple levels. Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance as Lou Bloom is simultaneously sympathetic and genuinely creepy, but the film’s deeper themes also contribute to its unsettling atmosphere. Though it doesn’t contain any elements of traditional horror, Nightcrawler is horrifying enough to be absolutely unforgettable.