In "Nightcrawler," the protagonist, Lou Bloom, breaks all the rules to get crime scene footage for a variety of reasons that stem from his obsessive ambition, lack of morality, and distorted worldview.
Ambition and Success: Lou Bloom is driven by an intense desire for success and recognition. He sees the world of crime journalism as a potential avenue to achieve the wealth and status he craves. To him, breaking the rules is justified if it leads to capturing more shocking and exclusive footage, which in turn increases his chances of selling his footage to news outlets.
Unscrupulous Morality: Lou lacks a strong moral compass and exhibits sociopathic tendencies. He views people as tools to further his own goals rather than as individuals deserving of empathy. This lack of empathy allows him to exploit tragic situations without guilt, capturing graphic images that he believes will bring him financial gain.
Sensation Sells: Lou recognizes that the media industry thrives on sensationalism. He understands that graphic and shocking footage of accidents, crimes, and tragedies fetch higher prices from news stations. By intentionally breaking rules and pushing boundaries, he aims to provide the most sensational footage possible, feeding into society's morbid fascination with violence and tragedy.
Competition and Pressure: The competitive nature of the freelance crime journalism market places immense pressure on Lou to outdo his rivals. In order to stay ahead, he resorts to increasingly unethical and dangerous tactics to capture footage that no one else can. This includes trespassing, manipulating crime scenes, and even endangering his own safety and the safety of others.
Manipulative Relationships: Lou develops a manipulative relationship with Nina Romina, a news producer played by Rene Russo. He recognizes her desperation for high ratings and capitalizes on it. He feeds her appetite for sensational content by providing exclusive, gruesome footage, solidifying his position as a key supplier while also exerting influence over her decisions.
Delusions of Grandeur: Lou exhibits delusions of grandeur and narcissism. He believes that he is not just a journalist but a visionary who is reshaping the media landscape. This self-aggrandizing view fuels his willingness to break rules and disregard ethics, as he believes he is operating on a different plane than ordinary individuals.
In summary, Lou Bloom's decision to break all the rules to obtain crime scene footage in "Nightcrawler" is a result of his unquenchable thirst for success, his absence of moral boundaries, his understanding of media sensationalism, the competitive nature of the industry, his manipulative relationships, and his skewed perception of his own importance. These factors combine to drive him to increasingly extreme and unethical actions as he seeks to achieve his ambitions at any cost.
Ambition and Success: Lou Bloom is driven by an intense desire for success and recognition. He sees the world of crime journalism as a potential avenue to achieve the wealth and status he craves. To him, breaking the rules is justified if it leads to capturing more shocking and exclusive footage, which in turn increases his chances of selling his footage to news outlets.
Unscrupulous Morality: Lou lacks a strong moral compass and exhibits sociopathic tendencies. He views people as tools to further his own goals rather than as individuals deserving of empathy. This lack of empathy allows him to exploit tragic situations without guilt, capturing graphic images that he believes will bring him financial gain.
Sensation Sells: Lou recognizes that the media industry thrives on sensationalism. He understands that graphic and shocking footage of accidents, crimes, and tragedies fetch higher prices from news stations. By intentionally breaking rules and pushing boundaries, he aims to provide the most sensational footage possible, feeding into society's morbid fascination with violence and tragedy.
Competition and Pressure: The competitive nature of the freelance crime journalism market places immense pressure on Lou to outdo his rivals. In order to stay ahead, he resorts to increasingly unethical and dangerous tactics to capture footage that no one else can. This includes trespassing, manipulating crime scenes, and even endangering his own safety and the safety of others.
Manipulative Relationships: Lou develops a manipulative relationship with Nina Romina, a news producer played by Rene Russo. He recognizes her desperation for high ratings and capitalizes on it. He feeds her appetite for sensational content by providing exclusive, gruesome footage, solidifying his position as a key supplier while also exerting influence over her decisions.
Delusions of Grandeur: Lou exhibits delusions of grandeur and narcissism. He believes that he is not just a journalist but a visionary who is reshaping the media landscape. This self-aggrandizing view fuels his willingness to break rules and disregard ethics, as he believes he is operating on a different plane than ordinary individuals.
In summary, Lou Bloom's decision to break all the rules to obtain crime scene footage in "Nightcrawler" is a result of his unquenchable thirst for success, his absence of moral boundaries, his understanding of media sensationalism, the competitive nature of the industry, his manipulative relationships, and his skewed perception of his own importance. These factors combine to drive him to increasingly extreme and unethical actions as he seeks to achieve his ambitions at any cost.