Why Was Lou Not Arrested for Participating in the Car Chase in Nightcrawler?

In the 2014 film Nightcrawler, directed by Dan Gilroy, Jake Gyllenhaal portrays Lou Bloom, a former dishwasher turned aspiring crime reporter who descends into a world of deception and unethical journalism. A pivotal scene near the film's end involves Lou participating in a dangerous car chase with the police while filming a violent incident. This raises the question: why was Lou not arrested for his involvement in this incident?

Manipulation of Evidence

Throughout the film, Lou is shown to be a master manipulator. He uses footage he captures to gain leverage over the police and media, demonstrating his skills and the sensational nature of his work. In the car chase scene, Lou is not directly involved in the criminal activity, but his presence and the footage he captures make him a valuable ally to news outlets. The police, aware of Lou's influence, may be inclined to overlook his minor infractions.

Ambiguity of Legal Responsibility

During the chase, Lou positions himself as an observer rather than a participant. This ambiguity makes it difficult to hold him legally responsible for the events. While his capture of the footage is illegal, his involvement is not as direct or immediate as that of the other participants. The police may need more concrete evidence to justify arresting someone who is capturing rather than perpetrating the crime.

Corruption and Complicity in Media and Law Enforcement

The film suggests a level of complicity and moral ambiguity within both the media and law enforcement. Lou's willingness to exploit tragedy for profit reflects a broader critique of how sensationalism in media can overshadow legal and ethical considerations. The police may hesitate to arrest Lou because his footage is crucial to their ongoing investigation, or they may be complicit in his rampant misinformation due to the incentive for sensational news.

Focus on Results over Legality

Nightcrawler emphasizes the idea that success in Lou's world is measured by results rather than legality. His ability to capture exclusive footage makes him valuable to news outlets, which may inadvertently shield him from accountability. Despite the illegality of his actions, these outlets may continue to use his footage, thereby enabling his continued involvement in such scenarios without fear of significant legal consequences.

Excerpts from the Trial Scene

Moreover, in a scene where a police officer interrogates Lou, the cop uses intimidation tactics to get him to crack under pressure. However, Lou remains resolute, refusing to provide the information the officer wants. The officer then fabricates the details of what she believes happened, but she lacks concrete evidence to support her claims. This highlights the lack of solid evidence against Lou and the reliance on coercion rather than factual evidence.

Prior to the scene, the cop states: 'They have no evidence on him whatsoever.' She continues, 'The cop who questioned him in the room was using a tactic of intimidation to get him to crack and he didn’t. She tried to intimidate information out of him to implicate himself and fabricated what she believed to be what happened. But she had no evidence to prove what she was saying, so all it is is an accusation.' This further underscores the lack of concrete proof and the potential for unjust treatment.

Even if the police were able to hold Lou for a period, the absence of solid evidence would make it difficult to secure a conviction. The investigation continues, but Lou remains at large, free to continue his unethical and illegal activities with relative impunity.

Final Implications

Ultimately, Lou's actions in the film Nightcrawler highlight the themes of moral decay and the pursuit of success at all costs. Viewers are left to ponder the implications of his behavior and the system that enables it. The ethical and legal considerations of sensational news and the impact of media complicity are central to the film's critique, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.