Jake Gyllenhaal has major plans post-Toronto

TORONTO — Consider Nightcrawler a success. The buzz on Jake Gyllenhaal's latest low-budget wonder is solid, with positive word of mouth and many critics impressed by the actor's rendering of a down-on-his-luck Millennial who will go to any lengths to succeed at a job prowling the streets of Los Angeles.

"The best thing to ever happen to Jake Gyllenhaal's career is Prince of Persia," crows Indiewire.com, positing that the actor's career rejuvenation "is turning into full-blown renaissance, and it flowers impressively in Nightcrawler."

The Hollywood Reporter decided Nightcrawler "is destined to become a classic." Hitfix.com says the dark film is "a showcase for what may well be the best performance Jake Gyllenhaal has given so far."

"More and more I feel blessed when you make a movie that works and people respond to it so positively," said Gyllenhaal at the bumping HFPA / InStyle festival party on Saturday night.

While some are speculating on Oscar buzz for the creepy thriller about a gaunt, job-hungry local news stringer who will go to bloody depths to get the winning shot, "it's a long shot," admits Indiewire, adding that "the material is twisted stuff and probably a little too dark and pulpy for the Academy's tastes."

Still, it's a festival-sized shot in the arm for Gyllenhaal – especially upon the news that he's teaming up with Dallas Buyers Club and Wild director Jean-Marc Vallee on a new project, Demolition. Not in the future. "In a week," said Gyllenhaal, literally bumping into Vallee at the party as he spoke."It's a beautiful part," said Vallee.

"It's about a man who loses his wife and then destroys his life in more ways than one," added Gyllenhaal. Because why take a break while you're on a hot streak? After all, Vallee shot Wild with Reese Witherspoon while he was readying Dallas Buyers Club for its Oscar race last fall. Time for Round 2?