Jake Gyllenhaal as a guy with a high work ethic and low moral standards who, as it turns out, is the perfect guy to be a bottom feeding freelance news gatherer.

Heads up: I watched this trailer and it feels like it gives away a lot towards the end. I think it’s worth watching but it might give up some important details. And the plot.

I kind of love this time of year because we transition from movies with big explosions to movies with big performances, and that’s what it looks like we’re getting from Gyllenhaal here. He’s one of those guys who will occasionally completely disappear into a role and when he does it’s a real treat to watch. Plus, you know, could be an interesting commentary on network news.

Nightcrawler is out 31 October.

> Lou Bloom, an ambitious young man desperate for work, discovers the world of L.A. crime journalism. When Lou learns of a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem, Lou muscles his way into the dangerous realm of night crawling, where a police siren wail means a possible windfall, and victims are converted into dollars and cents. Aided by Nina, a local TV news veteran, Lou blurs the line between observer and participant.