“Nightcrawler,” the critically-acclaimed “action-packed thriller” starring Jake Gyllenhaal and directed by Dan Gilroy (The Bourne Legacy, Real Steel), certainly appealed to my inner journalist, however, might not have all audiences on the edge of their seats.

Gyllenhaal perfectly embodies a sociopathic, power hungry drifter, Lou Bloom, whose unbridled pursuit of a successful career drags him into the depths of suburban Los Angeles crime with video camera in hand.

He is quick to make a living out of selling his gruesome, behind-the-scenes footage to a struggling news station through captivating, yet borderline scandalous segments and the careful manipulation of their female news producer, Nina (Rene Russo).

Although lost in Gyllenhaal’s impeccable portrayal of character, the short, 117 minute film was much more difficult to immerse myself in. The anti-hero Bloom was hard to empathize with as he stole and lied to make a living, blanketing these acts with a crude sense of humor coupled with stoic, unnerving mannerisms.

His persistence was commendable, however, as he stumbled his way into the independent filming of crime journalism, stopping at literally nothing to be seen and heard by those who mattered.

The climactic action, although chilling, peaks much too late with the discovery of an active crime scene and personal sacrifices on the behalf of Bloom, who succumbs to the adrenaline of capturing the missing piece to an unsolved case.

Overall, however unconventional, extremist, and disturbed his actions may have been, Gyllenhaal’s character was an accurate example of the risk-taking, obsessive persona necessary to reign victorious not only in the world of broadcast news, but in the general world of competition itself. Although this film could more appropriately be deemed “creepy” rather than “thrilling,” “Nightcrawler” still proved to be extremely watchable.