Nightcrawler

Possibly my favorite portrayal of a sociopath/psychopath (debatable) in history. One reason is that he’s played by Jake Gyllenhaal, my favorite actor of all time 🥹. There’s so much I love about this movie: the way they show how he absorbs words and emotions like it’s his first day living you can see that when he’s watching a comedic movie, trying to mimic the audience’s laughs. He takes note of information to bring up later, like the tie Ben Waterman wears on Fridays. When the contractor or construction worker denies him a job and calls him a thief, instead of getting mad, he takes the words as constructive criticism to use later when he wants to employ someone. The way he speaks with others he NEVER speaks in normal human conversation. It’s always strictly formal. Even with Rick, or when he’s on a date with Nina, he just brings up facts about her that he looked up. It’s amazing. His lack of empathy and the way he asserts dominance is clear, especially when he forces Nina into sex, and possibly other kinky shit, which is implied when he says: “And the last thing I want, Nina, is for you to do the things I ask you to do when we’re together in your apartment. Not like the last time.” I honestly think this might be a top 10 acting performance ever. He deserved an Oscar for this.