MovieChat Forums > Nightcrawler (2014) Discussion > Most unlikeable main character

Most unlikeable main character

posted 10 years ago by charleyhydel
57 replies | jump to latest

Finally watched this on Netflix after missing it in the theater, and I enjoyed it a lot, but after it was over, I was struck at how much I disliked Bloom.

This movie while being satire had a very serious and grounded vibe. And most movies that have main characters that aren't supposed to be likeable have some kind of redeeming value, especially by the end.

I really disliked Bloom the whole time, but after he set his partner up at the end to get shot, I REALLY didn't like him.

Does anyone feel the same? Does anyone actually like Bloom? Can anyone think of a main character that is even more despicable than him?

[–] sjosh567 10 years ago

Just finished watching the movie and would agree. His character was sleazy and creepy.
That being said his chsracter unfortuanatly shows how far reporters are willing to go to get a story, and how the media today doesn't care about the morals or people affected, just getting a leg up.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] tsegat 10 years ago

As someone else said, Bloom was a sociopath. He lied and manipulated people to serve his purpose, I'd hardly call that "direct". People are justifiably "uncomfortable" with liars and users in this or any day and age, especially ones who cause harm or death to others.

Bloom was a fascinating character, but he was never meant to be admired or liked.

[–] vflytrapp 10 years ago

well I thought he was awesome.

[–] Sean_Haze 10 years ago

Sociopaths are notoriously charismatic.

Everyone loves a sociopath until the sociopath sees a way to use them for some personal gain.

[–] Mugros 9 years ago

According to Wikipedia sociopaths show a boldness, having high self-confidence. Maybe to some people this is charismatic, but to me it isn't. The main character was foremost creepy. The moment he approached the guard at the fence, I knew something was odd about him. There is also a documentary about sociopaths and I never found any of the real ones charismatic. I guess people who are easily intimidated by the traits of a sociopath like the employee in the movie, who was definitely below the average intelligence, are easily influenced and manipulated.

[–] sirmildredpierce 9 years ago

He was an awesome character, but he was a terrible horrible human being.

[–] vagibonds 9 years ago

He certainly was awesome but in real life you would crap your pants if someone threatened you like he did with Rick.

[–] Hamasaurus68 10 years ago

There's such thing as being direct, and there is such thing as being a criminal.

Stealing metal, beating up a guard for his rolex, physically dragging injured people at a crash(most likely causing further injury or death), rigging the competition's van so they would get into an accident (implied). Trampling on a crime scene to get the best shot and lying about it to the point where he got officers killed to carry on the story and setting up his own employee to get shot (leaning over to give him a few choice words....

If you choose to write this off as simply being direct and doing his job his best...and not being sleazy, creepy or downright criminal...

you're morally bankrupt...you ARE Louis Bloom.

[–] sirmildredpierce 9 years ago

He wasn't sleazy or creepy. He was direct and goal driven and he did his job the best.

They are hardly mutually exclusive. He is a sociopath, plain and simple. That he is direct doesn't negate that. And did he do his job the best? Ethics are a cornerstone of good journalism and he lacked any sense of the ethical.

He may have gotten some very profitable results, but that hardly means he did his job "the best". His lack of morals made him sleazy and his complete lack of empathy made him creepy. His directness only accentuated that and made him even creepier. That he cared for nothing but his goal made him even sleazier.

[–] Steve2911 9 years ago

He's a literal rapist and a murderer. He raped a woman. And murdered several people.

[–] jack_spicer 9 years ago

Leo was both sleazy and creepy. Please do not attempt to emulate him in real life.

[–] jack_spicer 9 years ago

his chsracter unfortuanatly shows how far reporters are willing to go to get a story

Are we sure it's common practice to go as far as Leo did? Most of them are probably more like Bill Paxton's character (lacking in empathy, but not completely evil).

[–] mmserrano4 9 years ago

It's Lou. You made that mistake twice, otherwise I wouldn't have brought it up.

All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain...

[–] Teach417 10 years ago

Bloom is a sociopath. Nothing to like about him at all.

We provide ... Leverage.

[–] stripeythecrab 10 years ago

I definitely agree. From the beginning of the film I could tell something about Bloom was off, but I wanted to give him a chance. By the end of the film, I had changed my mind.

I feel much the same way about Frank Underwood in House of Cards. You almost like him at first, but it's awfully hard to like a sociopath.

[–] visio159 10 years ago

I was thinking a "Taxi Driver" moment at the end during that chase. But was proved wrong.

I disliked his character.

_______________
A slave is one who waits for someone to come and free him.

[–] AugustGorman 10 years ago

Yes, I really wanted him to die at the end.

[–] KaleCat 10 years ago

Did not like the main character too.

[–] Thom_azzz 10 years ago

Spoilers you dick

[–] TxMike 10 years ago

Now why would you come here to read all the comments before you actually watch the movie? Doesn't seem like a very good strategy.

..*.. TxMike ..*..
Make a choice, to take a chance, to make a difference.

[–] StaunchWoman 10 years ago

A little self-control in NOT wandering the message boards of a film you have not seen, will go a long way.

We've met before, haven't we?

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Drunkdragon 10 years ago

No that would be all your fault.

[–] nginx 9 years ago

GTFO of the message board if you haven't seen the movie.

He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither ~ B. Franklin

[–] Splasharina 10 years ago

There was not one likeable thing about Bloom. Even his haircut and his annoying phony business talk were irritating as hell.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] charleyhydel 10 years ago

Sorry, I should've prefaced my post saying that Hitler, Stalin and serial killers were obvious exceptions.

[–] Scream_Kween 10 years ago

I think they wrote him to be unlikable

T I C K T O C K http://i43.tinypic.com/16ab8k8.gif

[–] charleyhydel 10 years ago

No doubt

[–] TristramShandy 10 years ago

While I don't think any of these redeem him, it's not like he doesn't have positive characteristics:

1) he's hard working
2) he's smart
3) he's indefatigable
4) he's a self starter
5) he pulls himself up by his bootstraps

There's very much the qualities of the self-made man in his character, which is part of the satire, but also a romantic notion of American exceptionalism as well.

[–] charleyhydel 10 years ago

That's very true. I think he's admirable in the beginning because of these qualities, even though he's stealing in the first scene.

I think the dinner scene where he wants Russo to be his girlfriend is where he starts to become dispicable to me.

[–] luvie2003 10 years ago

Actually, I thought his sidekick was even more dislikable. He was so stupid and easy to manipulate. Bloom was dislikable of course but there are so many people like him walking around, especially in LA. He was meant to be dislikable as was the Rene Russo character. The film makes you think about the media and the people behind it.

Always look for the positive in every situation.

[–] Cydramech 10 years ago

All 5 of those reasons are reasons I like him. He's exactly the kind of person the world needs more of.

Only three things in this or any world that brings about change: money, blood, and guns.