Step into the disturbing underbelly of late-night news with our Nightcrawler (2013) trivia challenge. Directed by Dan Gilroy, this neo-noir thriller explores the dark intersection of crime, media, and ambition through the chilling character of Louis Bloom, played masterfully by Jake Gyllenhaal. The film is a gripping critique of media ethics and the lengths some will go to in search of fame and fortune.
Think you can recall every unsettling detail and shocking twist? Put your knowledge to the test with our 10-question trivia quiz. Only true fans of psychological thrillers and media critiques will get a perfect score!
Nightcrawler (2013) Trivia Questions & Answers
Here are the correct answers to each question, along with detailed explanations to give you a deeper understanding of Nightcrawler (2013) and its chilling themes:
1) Who plays the lead character, Louis Bloom, in Nightcrawler (2013)?
Correct Answer: Jake Gyllenhaal
Jake Gyllenhaal delivers a haunting performance as Louis Bloom, a driven and morally bankrupt man who becomes a freelance videographer, capturing violent crime scenes for news stations. Gyllenhaal’s portrayal is widely praised for its intensity and unnerving charisma. His physical transformation, including significant weight loss and hollow-eyed stares, adds to the character’s unsettling presence.
2) What is Louis Bloom’s profession in the film?
Correct Answer: Freelance crime videographer
In Nightcrawler, Louis becomes a “stringer” — a freelance crime videographer who listens to police scanners and races to crime scenes at night. He captures graphic footage to sell to local news outlets, and his obsession with exclusivity pushes him to cross ethical boundaries.
3) What term is used to describe people like Bloom who film crime scenes for news stations?
Correct Answer: Stringers
Stringers are independent videographers who chase after breaking news — often crime and accident scenes — and sell the footage to news stations. The film offers a stark critique of this practice by showing how the pursuit of dramatic imagery can erode moral standards.
4) Which actress plays Nina Romina, the news director Bloom sells his footage to?
Correct Answer: Rene Russo
Rene Russo plays Nina Romina, a news director desperate to boost her station’s ratings. Her character becomes an enabler of Bloom’s increasingly unethical actions, prioritizing sensationalism over journalistic integrity. Russo’s performance captures the tension between professional ambition and moral compromise.
5) What is the name of Bloom’s assistant in the film?
Correct Answer: Rick
Rick, portrayed by Riz Ahmed, is a vulnerable young man hired by Bloom to assist in his night runs. Exploited and endangered by Bloom’s schemes, Rick’s tragic arc highlights the power imbalance and moral void that defines Bloom’s rise in the freelance news world.
6) What unethical act does Bloom commit to get better footage?
Correct Answer: He manipulates crime scenes
To enhance the drama of his footage, Bloom tampers with crime scenes, trespasses, and withholds critical information from police. These acts demonstrate the film’s central theme — the corruption of truth and ethics in the pursuit of profit and recognition.
7) Which city is the setting for Nightcrawler?
Correct Answer: Los Angeles
Nightcrawler takes place in Los Angeles, whose sprawling geography and active nightlife provide the perfect backdrop for Bloom’s nocturnal activities. The city’s contrasting beauty and danger amplify the film’s neo-noir style and themes of isolation and ambition.
8) What drives Bloom to become increasingly dangerous in his job?
Correct Answer: Desire for success and recognition
Bloom is obsessively driven by the desire to succeed and be admired. Without a moral compass or empathy, he exploits every opportunity to get ahead — manipulating others, staging scenes, and risking lives in the name of ambition and financial reward.
9) What happens to Rick during the final crime scene?
Correct Answer: He is killed
In the film’s climax, Bloom sends Rick into a perilous situation while withholding crucial information about armed suspects. Rick is killed in the ambush, and Bloom, emotionless, captures the entire event on camera. The moment underscores Bloom’s total moral collapse and willingness to sacrifice others for his gain.
10) What theme is central to Nightcrawler?
Correct Answer: Media sensationalism and moral decay
Nightcrawler examines how the relentless pursuit of shocking content by media organizations leads to moral erosion. The film critiques the way news outlets prioritize fear-based, violent stories, and how this demand creates a space where individuals like Bloom can thrive — unchecked, unethical, and disturbingly effective.
