Dan Gilroy’s Nightcrawler has all the hallmarks of a first-time filmmaker’s efforts: it’s uneven, oddly paced, and relies too heavily on gimmick to be a cohesive work. The acting is loose though – no one is trying to win an Oscar here – so we get a wide range of performances. Jake Gyllenhaal scores high marks early in the film, but by the end of it, you’ll realize that his portrayal and character are a rather shallow affair. Renee Russo has fun as the obsessed true-believer, and the only realness in this spectacle comes from Riz Ahmed who is fantastic as Gyllenhaal’s naive assistant. If you go in expecting high-brow social commentary about newsploitation, you’ll be disappointed to find a pulpy mess that I’m sure can be enjoyed in the right state of mind.