Now playing in theaters is Nightcrawler, the stunning feature debut from writer/director Dan Gilroy. The film centers on Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) an ambitious and morally malformed young man looking to find his fortune. When Bloom stumbles onto the world of “nightcrawlers”, film crews who capture footage of violent tragedies and sell it to the highest bidder, he finally finds his calling. As Nina Romina, the ethically bankrupt news director who buys Bloom's footage, Rene Russo turns in a career-best performance in a role written specifically for her. Desperate, sexy, and jaded, Nina is a devotee of the “if it bleeds, it leads” philosophy, always looking for the bottom line among the blood and guts.

I recently sat down for an exclusive video interview with Rene Russo. She talked about her reaction when she first read the script, finding the character of Nina, playing the dynamic between Lou and Nina, whether she sees her character as a villain or victim, and more. Hit the jump to watch.

Rene Russo:

  • Talks about getting back on the press circuit after taking time off from acting.
  • What was her reaction when she read the script?
  • Talks about how she found the character of Nina.
  • Was it fun playing the power dynamics between Lou and Nina?
  • Is Nina a villain or a victim?
  • Talks about Lou Bloom as a product of our times.
  • Has working on Nightcrawler inspired her to jump back into the world of acting?

nightcrawler-poster-final