The Overlooked Jake Gyllenhaal Masterpiece That’s His Best Work

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Can we all agree that Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the most versatile actors that we currently have?

Frankly speaking, this fellow is a versatile powerhouse in the world of cinema. From action-packed superhero flicks to intense dramas and even heartwarming romantic comedies like “Accidental Love,” he seems to effortlessly conquer every genre we throw at him. We’ve delved into his most outstanding performances throughout the years, and I must say, it’s been quite a journey ranking his best movies.

Despite appearing in various rankings, my top pick for Jake Gyllenhaal’s finest work, the 2016 film “Nocturnal Animals,” rarely gets acknowledged. In fact, it seems hardly anyone discusses this movie. To address this oversight, I’d like to explain why I believe “Nocturnal Animals” showcases Gyllenhaal at his best.

It Is The Darkest Movie He’s Ever Been In

It’s quite daring to assert that “Nocturnal Animals” is Jake Gyllenhaal’s most harrowing film, given his roles in movies such as “Prisoners,” “Donnie Darko,” “Zodiac,” and the acclaimed horror flick “Nightcrawler.” As a connoisseur of horror films (though I must admit I have my limits), I recognize that the term “darkest” should not be used lightly.

To clarify, my position remains unchanged: Among all the films Jake Gyllenhaal has acted in, “Nocturnal Animals” is arguably the most haunting and gloomy one.

Drawing inspiration from Austin Wright’s novel titled “Tony and Susan,” Gyllenhaal takes on a dual role – one as an author within the narrative, and another as a character that inhabits his own written work. Being a fellow writer who appreciates complex narratives, I find myself captivated by such intriguing tales, much like the remarkable biopic “Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters.

However, what makes this narrative particularly gloomy is the underlying meta-narrative, where the tale within a tale carries an overwhelming sense of despair. A man named Tony (Gyllenhaal) embarks on a road trip with his wife and daughter, but their journey takes an unfortunate turn as they are rammed off the road by a group of thugs. Two of these thugs abduct his family, while one compels him to drive elsewhere, abandoning him. Tony contacts the authorities, but what follows is a series of harrowing events.

The narrative encircling this meta-story revolves around Susan, Amy Adams’ former spouse, who is currently in the process of divorcing her second husband. She received a draft of the novel mentioned earlier and an invitation for dinner from her first husband (Gyllenhaal). As she read the book, she noticed similarities between the character in the story and her ex-husband, portrayed in a gloomy and somber manner. The overall effect is a stark, both visually and psychologically depressing narrative. I believe this may be one of Gyllenhaal’s darkest roles to date.

Gyllenhaal Fulfills Two Roles In This Film, And Both Of Them Are Equally Fascinating

Mentioned earlier, Gyllenhaal embodies two distinct characters in the novel named “Nocturnal Animals.” Interestingly, he portrays both the author of the book and the main character within the story’s narrative. Remarkably, despite their differences, there are striking similarities between these roles.

The primary reason for this is that Susan, a woman who owns an art gallery and is one of Adams’ characters, is drawing a parallel between her former husband, as well as the character from the book, who appears weak and powerless. Notably, Gyllenhaal’s character, as the author, demonstrates complete mastery over his life, but Susan seems to be reflecting on him during their earlier marriage when he was still an aspiring writer.

Gyllenhaal needs to balance the roles of the person he once was, the character from the book, and his present self – the one who invites his former wife for dinner and sends her a copy of his novel initially. In simpler terms, he must juggle three different versions of himself in the story.

Jake Gyllenhaal excels in every character he portrays. Interestingly, one of my other preferred films starring Gyllenhaal (also a favorite of Denis Villeneuve), titled “Enemy“, showcases Gyllenhaal in two distinct roles. In this movie, however, he plays twin characters who share a physical resemblance but possess completely contrasting personas.

In this movie, Gyllenhaal portrays two distinct characters: he writes the story as an author while simultaneously embodying the main character from the book. This remarkable double act is my top pick among Gyllenhaal’s performances.

The Film’s Dual Stories Are Both Hypnotic

What makes this film captivating is its intricate dual narratives, each mesmerizing in its own right. One of my all-time favorite films is “Adaptation“, a masterpiece by Charlie Kaufman that I mention because it features a story within a story, albeit with a comedic twist. However, in “Nocturnal Animals“, the interwoven tales reflect the author’s exploration of personal aspects, making it a thought-provoking examination of self.

Through Amy Adams’ captivating portrayal, the lines between reality and fiction blur as she embodies both herself and the character her spouse crafted within the pages of his novel. Over time, it becomes increasingly challenging to discern which world is truly real.

The experience is smooth and dream-like, much as the renowned John Gardner described in great fiction – it ought to feel like being immersed in a “vibrant and continuous fictional dream.” Without a doubt, the movie “Nocturnal Animals” achieves this effect perfectly.

There Is One Gut Punch Moment That Has Lived With Me Ever Since I Saw It And Has Never Let Me Go

Among the numerous films I’ve watched, only a handful have caused me such physical discomfort that I felt compelled to consider leaving the cinema. One of these movies is Darren Aronofsky’s “mother!” (a film I still admire deeply), which included a scene so unsettling that it prompted a strong desire within me to depart the theater immediately following its occurrence.

As a movie aficionado, I can’t help but sing the praises of “The Butterfly Effect,” a film I believe is undervalued and deserves more recognition. At one particularly chilling moment, it left me feeling queasy and unsettled, like a punch to the gut.

However, no film has affected me as deeply as “Nocturnal Animals“. A particular scene in it was so heart-wrenchingly sad, I needed to pause the movie for a moment. The impact was truly profound.

In the event you plan to see the movie, I’d rather not give away any key moments, but let me tell you that the story unfolds following the abduction of Gyllenhaal’s character’s wife and child in a made-up setting.

Almost the entirety of Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance in that scene makes it incredibly difficult to watch, and I must say, it showcases what I believe to be his finest acting to date.

That Ending

Ultimately, I’ve consistently held the belief that a powerful conclusion outweighs an impressive start.

Many individuals might not share my viewpoint, but personally, I prefer being gradually immersed in a tale with a remarkable ending over being presented with an explosive beginning that loses steam as it progresses. For instance, something like “Game of Thrones” starts off powerfully, but its conclusion didn’t live up to the initial promise.

The movie titled “Nocturnal Animals” undeniably begins at a leisurely pace, not so much for the sake of action, but rather to set an atmosphere. However, its conclusion is both subdued and powerfully impactful.

Throughout the movie, Amy Adams portrays a woman who is reading her former spouse’s novel in preparation for their dinner date, leading us to believe they might reconcile. However, I won’t spoil the ending, but it certainly wasn’t what I anticipated. To my surprise, it stirred up some deep thoughts within me – much like a well-written book does.

If you haven’t watched “Nocturnal Animals” yet, I strongly recommend giving it a try. In my opinion, it might be among Jake Gyllenhaal’s finest films, or perhaps even his very best. Take my word for it!

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2025-03-24 23:08