Few films genres are as iconic as Noir. Recognizable for dramatic lighting, jazzy soundtracks, and a gritty setting, Noir has been transporting viewers to the world of underground crime since its creation in the 1940s. More important than its aesthetic, Noir’s morally ambiguous leads embark on investigations of the human spirit and its ability to be corrupted.
Though the era of 1940s Noir has ended, the genre has lived on in modern cinema–influencing many films with its classic themes and visuals. For example, David Lynch’s psychological thriller Mulholland Drive, relies on a dreamy jazz soundtrack and classic Noir visuals, while dark comedies like A Simple Favor, revolve around a morally ambiguous lead on a quest to undercover the truth. Ultimately, by incorporating elements of Noir into their projects, these successful films better draw audiences into the story.
10
Heat (1995)
Directed by Michael Mann
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9/10
Heat
R
ActionCrimeDocumentaryDramaThriller
Michael Mann’s classic crime thriller Heat was released in 1995 and stars Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro as two men on opposite sides of the law whose live become tangled and destabilized in an intense game of cat-and-mouse. When one heist led by master thief Neil McCauley is compromised due to a clue left behind, LAPD Lieutenant Vincent Hanna finds himself obsessed with pursuing them in an ever-escalating war – one that may cause significant collateral damage.
Release Date
December 15, 1995
Runtime
170 minutes
Cast
Al Pacino
, Robert De Niro
, Val Kilmer
, Jon Voight
, Tom Sizemore
, Diane Venora
Director
Michael Mann
Writers
Michael Mann
Studio(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributor(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
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Michael Mann’s critically acclaimed film, Heat, is one of the clearest examples of Noir in film. Today, Heat is scheduled for a sequel. This mix of Noir and crime drama tells the story of two men, master criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) and law enforcement officer Lieutenant Hanna (Al Pacino), whose lives become intertwined when Hanna pursues McCauley and his gang.
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Heat 2 Is Easily Michael Mann’s Most Exciting Movie 20 Years After $220 Million Hit
Director Michael Mann is back with a sequel to his 1995 crime thriller Heat, his most anticipated project since his 2004 office smash thriller.
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Though Heat may be a crime drama above all else, the film is heavily influenced by classic Noir from the 1940s. The two leading men both embark upon existential quests, investigating one another to conclude that they have many similarities. Beyond the personal journey’s of its main characters, Heat deals with themes that are classic to Noir, such as obsession, the dangers of crime, and loneliness. Against the backdrop of the gritty Los Angeles crime scene, Heat is an enticing watch for those hoping to watch a darker, modern spin on the classic Noir film.
9
Under The Silver Lake (2018)
Directed by David Robert Mitchell
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8/10
Under the Silver Lake
R
CrimeDramaMystery
Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell, Under the Silver Lake is a mystery comedy-drama released in 2018. A thirty-something conspiracy theorist’s life experiences a shake-up when his new neighbor becomes a brief love interest, only to disappear, leaving behind a mystery that dives deeply into a dangerous conspiracy.
Release Date
May 15, 2018
Runtime
139 Minutes
Main Genre
Mystery
Cast
Andrew Garfield
, Riley Keough
, Topher Grace
Director
David Robert Mitchell
Writers
David Robert Mitchell
Studio(s)
Vendian Entertainment
, Stay Gold Features
, Good Fear
, Michael De Luca Productions
, Pastel Productions
Distributor(s)
A24
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Under the Silver Lake may be another clear example of Noir being used as inspiration for a film, but this time David Robert Mitchell combines it with dark comedy. This eccentric A24 performance follows Sam (Andrew Garfield), a 30-something burnout who falls for a mysterious woman living in his apartment complex. When she suddenly vanished, his quest to find her leads him to conspiracy and secrets of Los Angeles.
Though Under the Silver Lake may be set in modern times, the film expertly uses a jazzy instrumental soundtrack throughout, as well as classic Noir shots to transport viewers to old Hollywood. These visual elements also create a sense of suspense and tension that increases as Sam continues his investigation. Sam himself is a classic Noir hero: morally ambiguous and easily influenced by the corruptions and secrets he encounters in Los Angeles. In the end of Under the Silver Lake, obsession and paranoia drive Sam to his breaking point, seen in the open-ending of the film.
8
Fargo (1996)
Directed By Joel & Ethan Coen
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Fargo
R
CrimeThriller
Fargo is a crime thriller directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Released in 1996, it stars Frances McDormand as Marge Gunderson, a pregnant police chief investigating a series of homicides in rural Minnesota. The plot unfolds as a car salesman, played by William H. Macy, conspires with two criminals to kidnap his wife for ransom money. The film explores themes of crime, ineptitude, and human nature amid a bleak, wintry landscape.
Release Date
April 5, 1996
Runtime
98 Minutes
Main Genre
Thriller
Cast
William H. Macy
, Frances McDormand
, Steve Buscemi
, Peter Stormare
, Kristin Rudrüd
, Harve Presnell
, Tony Denman
, Melissa Peterman
Director
Joel Coen
, Ethan Coen
Writers
Ethan Coen
, Joel Coen
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Similar to Under the Silver Lake, the Coen Brothers’ famous dark comedy, Fargo, incorporates elements of Noir to create a sense of mystery around its murder plot. Coen’s film revolves around Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy), a car salesman in debt who hires a group of men to kidnap his wife for ransom money. When things go awry for the criminals, officer Marge Gunderson (Francis McDormand), one of the Coen Brothers’ best characters, is hot on the trail.
Fargo’s quirky fusion of dark comedy and traditional Noir, truly allows it to stand out among similar crime films. Though the film remains in-line with the stylistic look of a Coen Brothers’ film, its themes and characters prescribe to the formula of Noir. For example, Marge Gunderson’s takes up the role of the quirky investigator, while Jerry Lundegaard embodies the moral ambiguity and corruption in many Noir leads. Fargo lives on in its subsequent seasons in the new network show.
7
A Simple Favor (2018)
Directed by Paul Feig
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5/10
A Simple Favor
R
MysteryCrimeThriller
Based on the novel by Darcey Bell, A Simple Favor stars Anna Kendrick as Stephanie, a widowed mother and vlogger who becomes friends with the wealthy mother of one of her son’s classmates, a woman named Emily. When Emily suddenly and inexplicably disappears, Stephaine begins to search for her and in doing so uncovers a series of dark secrets about Emily’s past. Blake Lively and Henry Golding also star.
Release Date
September 14, 2018
Runtime
119minutes
Cast
Eric Johnson
, Linda Cardellini
, Joshua Satine
, Jean Smart
, Henry Golding
, Anna Kendrick
, Blake Lively
Director
Paul Feig
Writers
Jessica Sharzer
, Darcey Bell
Studio(s)
Lionsgate
Distributor(s)
Lionsgate
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One of the most recent examples of Noir’s incorporation into other film genres is with the 2018 hit, A Simple Favor. Paul Feig’s film centers around Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), a widowed mother who strikes up a friendship with her glamorous neighbor, Emily portrayed by Blake Lively in one of her best roles. However, when Emily disappears, Anna sets out on an investigation to track down her new friend.
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In the end, A Simple Favor is an exploration of human flaws, shame, and guilt, all themes that are hallmarks of traditional Noir. Stephanie and Emily are both running from their own darkness, and as the film progresses, they must each face their secrets to move forward. A Simple Favor is also filled with aesthetic nods to traditional Noir, equipped with a moody soundtrack, costuming with 1940s silhouettes, and a sense of glamour reminiscent of Noir classics, that makes Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively’s thriller a hit.
6
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
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7.3/10
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
PG
ComedyFamilyMysteryAnimationCrimeAdventureFantasy
Who Framed Roger Rabbit combines live-action and animation to create a world where humans and cartoon characters coexist. Set in 1940s Hollywood, the film follows a private investigator who is contracted to work on the case of a cartoon framed for murder, despite his dislike of cartoons. Bob Hoskins, Charles Fleischer, Christopher Lloyd, and Kathleen Turner all star.
Release Date
June 22, 1988
Runtime
104 minutes
Cast
Amy Irving
, Christopher Lloyd
, Charles Fleischer
, Bob Hoskins
, Kathleen Turner
Director
Robert Zemeckis
Writers
Peter S. Seaman
, Jeffrey Price
Studio(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributor(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
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Disney’s, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, may be one of the most unique and creative combinations of Noir with another genre. The cartoon dark comedy moves between the world of 2D animation and live action, as washed-up Detective, Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins), is enlisted to help the famous toon, Roger Rabbit (Charles Fleischer), when he is accused of murdering the man his wife is accused of having an affair with.
In the world of Toontown, the gritty design of the town, 1940s wardrobe, and jazzy soundtrack, are a string callback to the classic genre of Noir. Additionally, several leading characters are morally ambiguous and corrupt, including Eddie Valiant himself, and his toon friends, who wrestle with inner conflict while investigating the crime. The film also involves a series of twists and turns, ultimately leading to a shocking villain reveal by the end of the film, once again taking inspiration from the structure of Noir films designed to create secrecy and uncertainty.
5
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
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77
8.9/10
Pulp Fiction
R
DramaCrime
Quentin Tarantino’s classic tale of violence and redemption follows the intertwining tales of three protagonists: hitman Vincent Vega, prizefighter Butch Coolidge, and Vincent’s business partner Jules Winnfield.
Release Date
October 14, 1994
Runtime
154 minutes
Main Genre
Crime
Cast
John Travolta
, Bruce Willis
, Ving Rhames
, Samuel L. Jackson
, Uma Thurman
, Christopher Walken
, Tim Roth
, Harvey Keitel
, Eric Stoltz
, Rosanna Arquette
Director
Quentin Tarantino
Writers
Quentin Tarantino
Studio
Miramax Films
Studio(s)
A Band Apart
, Jersey Films
Distributor(s)
Miramax Films
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Pulp Fiction‘s reputation speaks for itself, as one of Director Quentin Tarantino’s biggest projects. Though the crime saga comedy is unique to Tarantino’s specific style, several themes and character descriptions are clearly influenced by Noir. In this zany, fast-paced story, A pair of hitmen, a drug-dealer’s wife, bandits, and a corrupt wrestler cross paths in the criminal underbelly of Los Angeles.
|
Plotline |
Characters |
|
The Hitmen |
Jules & Vincent |
|
The Diner Bandits |
Honey Bunny & Pumpkin |
|
The ’50s Diner |
Mia Wallace & Vincent |
|
The Wrestler |
Bruce Willis & Fabienne |
Most of the leading characters in Pulp Fiction are deeply flawed, morally ambiguous, and tormented by their involvement with the criminal world. For example, Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) vows to take up pacifism, and live altruistically, while the pro wrestler, Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis), plans to escape with his girlfriend to live together in peace. For some characters, a happy ending is never achieved, as is characteristic for a Noir film. Not to mention, some wardrobe and song choices have a retro flair as a nod to Noir.
4
Mulholland Drive (2001)
Director David Lynch
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10/10
Mulholland Drive
R
MysteryThrillerDrama
David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive is a neo-noir mystery about aspiring actress Betty, who becomes involved with a woman suffering from amnesia and a mysterious blue box. Starring Naomi Watts and Laura Harring, the 2001 surrealist film explores themes of identity, memory, and Hollywood’s dark side.
Release Date
October 19, 2001
Runtime
147 minutes
Cast
Laura Elena Harring
, Mark Pellegrino
, Justin Theroux
, Naomi Watts
, Ann Miller
Director
David Lynch
Writers
David Lynch
Studio(s)
Universal Pictures
Distributor(s)
Universal Pictures
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One of David Lynch’s best films, Mulholland Drive, may be one of the most committed renditions of Noir. This psychological thriller takes audiences to the dreamlike world of Hollywood, as a woman suffering from amnesia, Rita (Laura Harring), befriends an aspiring actress, Diana (Naomi Watts), and the two women embark on an investigation to discover the real identity of Rita.
Mulholland Drive is, in many ways, a modern version of the traditional Noir. The main characters are plagued by secrets that threaten to destroy them, while also maintaining a fascination with danger and power that escalates beyond control as the film progresses. By the conclusion of the film, the plot devolves in trademark Lynch fashion, and it is no surprise the heroines fail to get their happy, clean ending, as is the case in Noir. Stylized shots, stark lighting, and a haunting jazz soundtrack add to the Noir feel of Mulholland Drive.
3
Memento (2000)
Director Christopher Nolan
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9.6/10
Memento
R
MysteryThriller
Christopher Nolan’s Memento is a psychological thriller that tells the story of Leonard, a former insurance investigator who suffers from a disease that prevents his brain from storing short-term memories. The one thing he can remember is murder of his wife, for which he wishes to exact revenge. Starring Guy Pearce and Carrie-Anne Moss, the movie was released in 2000 to widespread acclaim, launching the director’s successful Hollywood career.
Release Date
May 25, 2001
Runtime
113 minutes
Cast
Joe Pantoliano
, Guy Pearce
, Carrie-Anne Moss
, Stephen Tobolowsky
, Mark Boone Junior
Director
Christopher Nolan
Writers
Christopher Nolan
Studio(s)
Newmarket Films
Distributor(s)
Newmarket Films
Expand
Mystery and deception are used skillfully in one of Christopher Nolan’s best movies, the psychological thriller, Memento. This noir-inspired story focuses on Leonard (Guy Pierce), a man who has lost his memory, but is determined to track down the murderer and assaulter of his late wife. The further he delves into his investigation, the more he learns about his own secrets and skeletons.
The memory loss that Leonard experiences in the film is a real phenomenon known as Anterograde Amnesia, the inability to create new memories after a traumatic brain injury,
Nolan takes liberties with the Noir genre, creating a definite sense of building suspense and mystery during its timeline and shocking ending. An example of this comes with Leonard’s identity, or lack thereof, suggesting his identity as a morally ambiguous man who must uncover the results of his decisions. Cinematography and coloring are also used as a way of paying homage to classic Noir, with the stylistic look of several shots, and a black-and-white sequence added in. Memento also heavily relies on light and shadow to achieve the look of Noir.
2
The Batman (2022)
Director Matt Reeves
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133
8.6/10
The Batman
PG-13
CrimeActionDrama
The Batman follows a young Bruce Wayne as he investigates a sadistic serial killer targeting key political figures in Gotham. As he delves deeper, he is confronted by the city’s hidden corruption and questions surrounding his own family’s legacy.
Release Date
March 4, 2022
Runtime
176 minutes
Main Genre
Action
Cast
Robert Pattinson
, Zoë Kravitz
, Jeffrey Wright
, Colin Farrell
, Paul Dano
, John Turturro
, Andy Serkis
, Peter Sarsgaard
, Barry Keoghan
, Jayme Lawson
, Gil Perez-Abraham
, Peter McDonald
, Con O’Neill
, Alex Ferns
, Rupert Penry-Jones
, Kosha Engler
, Archie Barnes
, Janine Harouni
, Hana Hrzic
, Joseph Walker
, Luke Roberts
, Oscar Novak
, Stella Stocker
, Sandra Dickinson
, Jack Bennett
, Andre Nightingale
, Richard James-Neale
, Lorraine Tai
, Joseph Balderrama
, James Eeles
Director
Matt Reeves
Writers
Matt Reeves
, Peter Craig
, Bob Kane
, Bill Finger
Studio(s)
DC
Expand
Few superhero films incorporate Noir into their style, but Matt Reeves’ Batman universe decided to base his version of the “Caped Crusader” in the sultry world of Noir Gotham. The Batman puts a darker twist on Bruce Wayne’s story, as this version of Batman (Robert Pattinson), manages his disgust for humanity while also tracking down a twisted killer who threatens the welfare of Gotham’s most powerful.
Crime and mystery are more of a focal point in this superhero flick, with the main plot revolving around the concept of corruption and darkness itself, and how this manifests into the criminal activity of Gotham’s underworld. Pattinson’s Batman is also painted as morally ambiguous: overly violent, brooding, and at times, apathetic to his role, ultimately failing Gotham. Lighting and coloring are also used by Nolan to develop a Noir look, with harsh shadows and muted color-grading.
1
Strange Days (1995)
Director Kathryn Bigelow
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8.5/10
Strange Days
R
CrimeDramaSci-FiThriller
Strange Days is a science fiction film directed by Kathryn Bigelow, set in the near future of 1999. The plot revolves around ex-cop Lenny Nero (Ralph Fiennes), who deals in illegal virtual reality recordings. As the city erupts in chaos, Nero uncovers a conspiracy linked to the recordings, involving a range of characters played by Angela Bassett and Juliette Lewis. The film explores themes of technology and socio-political unrest.
Release Date
October 13, 1995
Runtime
145 Minutes
Main Genre
Sci-Fi
Cast
Ralph Fiennes
, Angela Bassett
, Juliette Lewis
, Tom Sizemore
, Michael Wincott
, Vincent D’Onofrio
, Glenn Plummer
, Brigitte Bako
, Richard Edson
, William Fichtner
, Josef Sommer
, Joe Urla
, Nicky Katt
, Michael Jace
, Louise LeCavalier
, David Carrera
, Jim Ishida
, Todd Graff
, Malcolm Norrington
, Anais Munoz
, Ted Haler
, Rio Hackford
, Brook Susan Parker
, Brandon Hammond
, Donald Donnie Young
Director
Kathryn Bigelow
Writers
James Cameron
, Jay Cocks
Expand
Strange Days is a 1995 action sci-fi thriller with nods to Noir. Bigelow’s film tells the complicated and dramatic story of Lenny Nero (Ralph Fiennes), a former policeman involved in the selling of virtual-reality recordings. When he finds himself as a witness to a murder on one of the tapes, he enlists the help of a friend to uncover the identity of the secret murderer.
In many ways, Strange Days is a character study. Similar to the traditional formula of Noir leads, Nero is an investigator with a messy past, hoping to move away from his demons, but instead finds himself caught back up in another conspiracy. Conspiracy and social unrest are also utilized in Strange Days, which are two themes heavily based in traditional Noir cinema. Additionally, Bigelow integrates gritty shots and stark shadows in the cinematography of the film, to further create the Noir look.