The-Greatest-Showman

To be honest, Renly didn't expect the script Andy brought to be Nightcrawler.

Nightcrawler was written by the famous screenwriter Dan Gilroy, known for his dark, unique style. Gilroy had written scripts for works like Iron Fist and The Bourne Legacy. Though he wasn't considered a top-tier screenwriter, his distinct dark tone became evident when he learned about the profession of "nightcrawlers" in Los Angeles, inspiring him to write this story.

The film tells the story of a young man who, through sheer circumstance, becomes a nightcrawler and spirals into the dark abyss. From a mere observer to an active participant—and even a criminal—he descends deeper into moral corruption, driven not by the pursuit of truth or news but by profit and personal gain.

The entire film carries a black crime style, with a raw intensity that makes you feel the madness of the world within it. However, the second half of the movie feels a bit weaker, failing to elevate the film from a personal narrative to a broader commentary on the media industry and society. Instead, it becomes too focused on the protagonist, turning from an exploration of the media industry to a character biography, which slightly diminishes its impact. It's still one of Renly's absolute favorites.

In his past life as a journalism student, Renly was particularly drawn to films that reflected the inner workings of the media, especially in an age where the sensationalization of everything has led to the erosion of journalistic integrity. Nightcrawler was a stark reminder of that reality, and Renly couldn't help but appreciate it.

In this life, as a Hollywood actor, Renly found himself the victim of paparazzi intrusion. This made the film resonate with him even more, especially after his own media treatment following the paparazzi incident three weeks ago. This only made it more fitting that Nightcrawler came to him at this moment.

Objectively, Nightcrawler isn't Renly's top pick for a reporter-focused film. Before becoming a reporter in his past life, he had a clear idealized vision of the profession. Movies like Focus, The Washington Post, and The Paper, with their positive messages about journalism, resonate more deeply with him.

However, Nightcrawler ranks within the top five of his favorite films related to the media industry, no question.

In his past life, after some hesitation, Dan Gilroy decided to direct Nightcrawler himself, marking his directorial debut. Upon release, the film received critical acclaim, with a comprehensive media review score of 76%, a Rotten Tomatoes score of 95%, and an average rating of 8.2. It also gained recognition during awards season, earning its place as a modern classic.

This is why Andy's decision to pick Nightcrawler wasn't by chance.

After Whiplash, Renly had been looking to challenge himself with more complex and difficult roles, and Nightcrawler was a prime choice for that. The protagonist, Lou Bloom, is a morally ambiguous character, straddling the line between good and evil—perfect for Renly, who had mostly played more straightforward, positive roles. His role in Whiplash marked his first foray into a character with an unpleasant personality, and he was eager for more challenges.

Additionally, after the paparazzi incident, Andy had a personal stake in helping Renly take on such a role, seeing it as a form of poetic justice. To Andy, Renly was a dedicated, professional actor, entirely consumed by his craft, but the paparazzi's relentless pursuit had frustrated him deeply. He saw Nightcrawler as a fitting response.

Renly, deep in thought as he flipped through the script, felt a wave of emotion. Lou Bloom, the protagonist of Nightcrawler, is one of the most unique, darkly fascinating characters in recent cinema. His transformation from an aimless outsider to a driven, morally bankrupt figure is compelling and chilling.

In the beginning, Lou is a petty criminal with no real direction. After encountering photojournalists at a crime scene, he quickly realizes he can join the field by capturing graphic footage for news outlets. As time progresses, Lou becomes more daring, seeking increasingly grisly scenes to film, eventually taking matters into his own hands to create the stories he sells.

Lou's descent into darkness is chilling, transforming from a passive observer to an active predator. His evolution (or devolution) is subtle yet chilling. He is like a nocturnal animal, a hyena at first, scavenging for opportunities. But over time, he becomes a hunter, thirsting for more and more violence.

What makes Lou so intriguing is his complexity—his cold detachment, his bloody ambition, and his gradual loss of humanity. Imagining the character's progression in your mind is enough to conjure up an eerie sense of unease.

And, of course, Lou is a negative character. Renly had long yearned to play such a role—not necessarily a villain, but a morally gray character who challenges the actor's abilities. It wasn't about breaking his public image but about breaking free from the limitations he had imposed on himself. This was a role that Renly couldn't turn down.

Andy had hit the nail on the head.

When Renly saw Lou, he couldn't resist. The character was everything he was looking for in a role. He could already see how he would approach the role and make it his own.

And yet, Renly hesitated.

The role of Lou Bloom had already been performed by Jake Gyllenhaal in his past life. Renly and Jake had become friends at the Berlin Film Festival, and he had witnessed Jake's deep commitment to his craft. After a string of failed commercial films, Jake had fully dedicated himself to exploring complex, darker characters, and Nightcrawler was his magnum opus.

Jake's performance as Lou was nothing short of transformative. He lost himself in the role, embodying Lou's bloody, cunning nature while also showing his loneliness and detachment. Jake became Lou Bloom.

Renly couldn't take the role from his friend. In his mind, Nightcrawler would always belong to Jake. Even though it was a perfect fit for him, Renly couldn't bring himself to take it, respecting Jake's intense dedication to the part.

And so, Renly passed on Nightcrawler, despite the role being tailor-made for him.