Nightcrawler - Characters & Cast

To achieve the American Dream of self-made success and financial independence, regardless of the moral cost.

Lou possesses a flat arc; he does not change internally. Instead, he changes the world around him to fit his sociopathic worldview. He begins as a lone thief and ends as a successful business owner, validating his unethical methods.

Professional survival and maintaining high ratings during sweeps weeks.

Nina starts as a desperate news director clinging to her job and ends as Lou's fully complicit partner. She surrenders her remaining ethical boundaries to secure the ratings Lou provides.

Basic survival and the hope of a steady paycheck.

Rick represents the desperate working class. He moves from homelessness to being Lou's employee, slowly realizing the danger he is in but unable to leave due to financial need. His arc ends tragically as collateral damage to Lou's ambition.