Among Jake Gyllenhaal's overlooked performances, none stands out as egregiously as his brilliant work in 'Nocturnal Animals' (2016), an adaptation of the novel 'Tony and Susan' by Austin Wright, directed by Tom Ford. In this film, Gyllenhaal takes on dual roles, portraying a writer who sends the draft of his first novel to his ex-girlfriend (Amy Adams) and the tragic protagonist within the novel, seeking revenge after the murder of his wife and daughter by highway vandals.

Despite being acclaimed as one of the best films of its year, 'Nocturnal Animals' went largely unnoticed during the awards season, with minimal recognition for its supporting stars, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Michael Shannon.

In 2017, Jake Gyllenhaal emerged as a potential Oscar favorite for his portrayal of "Jeff Bauman," a man who lost his legs in the 2013 Boston Marathon terrorist bombing, in the film 'Stronger.' With critical acclaim reaching 90%, the film positioned Gyllenhaal for a strong awards season, earning him nominations at the Critics' Choice Award and Satellite Award.
Additionally, he secured the Hollywood Actor Award in 2017. Despite these recognitions, the Academy once again overlooked Gyllenhaal, leaving his aspirations for victory hanging in the balance.

In recent years, Jake Gyllenhaal has diversified his portfolio with credits in various genres and scales. From the intimate family drama 'Wildlife' (2018) to a scathing critique of the art world in 'Velvet Buzzsaw' (2019), and a modern western, 'The Sisters Brothers' (2018).
One of his standout commercial roles was in 2019, portraying the villain "Mysterio" in 'Spider-Man: Far From Home,' where he showcased remarkable chemistry with the film's lead, the young Tom Holland.