There’s an old French saying, “cherchez la femme,” which literally translates to “look for the woman.” It’s been used tirelessly in the film noir genre, indicating that most predicaments are likely caused by a woman — usually a femme fatale. Although the phrase has often been used in a misogynist manner, film noir women have evolved into evocative characters whom audiences root for and admire. Sure, they may still spell trouble for the male protagonist, but that’s half the fun.
With the broad scope of film noir women over the years, the best femme fatales go beyond the stereotypical villain trope. Many of them are clever, devious, and ambitious. Or, in some cases, they’re just outright dangerous through no fault of their own. Some rely on sex appeal, while others use their powers of coercion and deceit. No matter where their talents lie, the best femme fatales always get their way — though they may come to regret it.
10
Natalie (Carrie Anne-Moss) In Memento
Bartender Natalie Takes Advantage Of Leonard’s Memory For Her Own Nefarious Means
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Before helming The Dark Knight trilogy, Christopher Nolan wrote and directed the innovative mystery thriller Memento. A story told back to front, Memento stars Guy Pearce as Leonard, a man with a rare condition that impairs his short-term memory. Though it may not follow the conventional film noir style (or any style), it does offer a unique femme fatale in Carrie Anne-Moss’ Natalie.
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While tracking down his wife’s killer, Leonard meets Natalie, a bartender who decides to help him with his vendetta. It turns out that Leonard killed Natalie’s drug dealer boyfriend, though of course, he doesn’t remember it. Gaining his trust, Natalie manipulates Leonard into doing her dirty work for her. Even when she tells him to his face that she is going to use him, Leonard completely forgets just minutes later. From the moment she meets him, Natalie fully exploits Leonard’s condition for her own ends.
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9.8/10
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.
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Release Date
May 25, 2001
Runtime
113 minutes
Cast
Joe Pantoliano
, Guy Pearce
, Carrie-Anne Moss
, Stephen Tobolowsky
, Mark Boone Junior
Director
Christopher Nolan
9
Dorothy Valens (Isabella Rossellini) In Blue Velvet
A Nightclub Singer Who Woos A Young Man Fresh Out Of College
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The David Lynch neo-noir thriller Blue Velvet is a psychological bender that put the quirky writer-director on Hollywood’s radar. Returning home from college, Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) finds himself entangled in the dark and violent world of nightclub singer Dorothy Valens (Isabella Rossellini). As his fascination turns into obsession, Jeffrey is lured into Dorothy’s world of sadomasochism and peril.
Dorothy’s sympathetic plight, along with her psychosexual seduction, makes her one of the best modern femme fatales.
Though Dorothy may not be a killer, she is partly responsible for the death of Jeffrey’s innocence. The terrible abuse she suffers at the hands of the insane Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper) leaves her psychologically scarred, resulting in her unwittingly pulling Jeffrey into her convoluted web. Dorothy’s sympathetic plight, along with her psychosexual seduction, makes her one of the best modern femme fatales.
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Blue Velvet
R
CrimeDocumentaryDramaMysteryThriller
Written and directed by David Lynch, Blue Velvet is a 1986 Thriller and Mystery film. Starring Kyle MacLachlan and Isabella Rossellini, the film follows a young man that becomes embroiled in a crime.
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Release Date
January 1, 1986
Runtime
120 minutes
Cast
Isabella Rossellini
, Kyle MacLachlan
, Dennis Hopper
, Laura Dern
, Hope Lange
, dean stockwell
Director
David Lynch
8
Gilda (Rita Hayworth) In Gilda
The Wife Of A Gangster With An Iconic Hair Flip
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Even those who haven’t seen 1946’s Gilda will instantly recognize the stunning film noir actress Rita Hayworth as one of the most notorious women of the genre. When Johnny Farrell (Glenne Ford), a dishonest gambler, is hired by gangster Ballin Mundson (George Macready) to help run his Argentinian casino, he doesn’t expect to run into his old flame, Gilda. Eventually, the bad blood between the two former lovers explodes into a torrid love affair.
From her iconic hair flip to her superb performance of “Put the Blame on Mame,” Gilda exudes feminine appeal and confidence. As if being the wife of a gangster doesn’t make her dangerous enough, Gilda seems to taunt Johnny at every turn, making her all the more deadly. It’s no wonder that Johnny can’t seem to stay away from her, even as Gilda points out to him that “hate is a very strong emotion.”
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Gilda
NR
RomanceDramaThriller
In post-war Buenos Aires, Johnny Farrell’s loyalty to casino owner Ballin Mundson is tested when Mundson’s new wife, Gilda, is revealed to be Johnny’s former lover. As tensions rise, secrets and betrayals unfold, leading to a dramatic climax filled with passion, jealousy, and revenge.
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Release Date
April 25, 1946
Runtime
110 Minutes
Cast
Rita Hayworth
, Glenn Ford
, George Macready
, Joseph Calleia
, Steven Geray
Director
Charles Vidor
7
Violet & Corky (Jennifer Tilly & Gina Gershon) In Bound
Lovers Who Plot To Steal A Gangster’s Money
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The directorial feature film debut for the Wachowskis, Bound is an erotic neo-noir that stars Jennifer Tilly as Violet, the girlfriend of a dangerous mobster, Caesar (Joe Pantoliano). Her lover, Corky (Gina Gerson), is an ex-con, and their affair sets in motion a series of deadly events. When the two women scheme to steal Caesar’s money and make a run for it, things go sideways quickly as they find themselves fighting for their survival.
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Gershon and Tilly are electric together on screen, but more than that, they provide an accurate and positive portrayal of a lesbian couple. According to the DVD commentary for Bound, the Wachowskis hired feminist and sexuality expert Susie Bright to help write and choreograph the movie’s sex scenes. The care that was put into the relationship between the two protagonists really shows, making Corky and Violet not only equally formidable femme fatales, but strong women to root for.
6
Brigid O’Shaughnessy (Mary Astor) In The Maltese Falcon
Sam Spade Is Putty In This Legendary Femme Fatale’s Hands
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From the moment Brigid O’Shaughnessy walked into his office, Sam Spade (Humphrey Bogart knew she was trouble. Although Brigid puts on a good damsel in distress act, Sam doesn’t believe it for a second. It seems that every time she opens her mouth, the lies come spilling out. Yet despite his better judgment, Sam can’t help but fall in love with her.
Brigid’s plight is so convincing that even Sam has a hard time throwing her under the bus, even knowing she’s the one who killed his partner.
The Maltese Falcon is the quintessential film noir classic that all others seek to emulate. Brigid’s plight is so convincing that even Sam has a hard time throwing her under the bus, even knowing she’s the one who killed his partner. Does she really love him, or is she just using him to save her own skin? The movie’s ending keeps that question open for interpretation, but either way, Brigid goes down as a legendary femme fatale.
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The Maltese Falcon
Approved
CrimeFilm NoirMystery
The Maltese Falcon is a 1941 film noir directed by John Huston, based on Dashiell Hammett’s novel. Starring Humphrey Bogart as private detective Sam Spade, the film follows Spade’s investigation into the mysterious murder of his partner, leading him into a web of intrigue involving a valuable statuette. Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, and Sydney Greenstreet also feature in this classic tale of deception and greed.
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Release Date
October 18, 1941
Runtime
100 Minutes
Cast
Humphrey Bogart
, Mary Astor
, Gladys George
, Peter Lorre
, Barton MacLane
, Lee Patrick
Director
John Huston
5
Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson) In Rebecca
Danvers Is Hellbent On Avenging The Deceased Rebecca
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The Alfred Hitchcock adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca is one of the director’s best, with much of the credit attributed to the cast’s performance. When wealthy aristocrat Maxim de Winter (Laurence Olivier) brings home a young woman and introduces her as his new bride, housekeeper Mrs. Danvers is less than thrilled. The staunch woman does everything she can to undermine the new Mrs. de Winter (Joan Fontaine), reminding her that Maxim’s first wife, Rebecca, was a much more sophisticated woman and a more desirable match.
Not all femme fatales are defined by their sex appeal, and Mrs. Danvers is the perfect example. At every turn, the housekeeper hounds de Winter’s naive new bride, manipulating her to the brink of insanity. Mrs. Danvers’ love and loyalty for the deceased Rebecca is an obsession that drives her to murder, and she will stop at nothing to sabotage the happiness of the couple.
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Rebecca (1940)
Approved
MysteryDramaRomance
Rebecca, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, centers on a young bride, played by Joan Fontaine, who feels overshadowed by her husband’s first wife, Rebecca. Laurence Olivier stars as the brooding Maxim de Winter. Set in the eerie Manderley estate, the film explores themes of jealousy and mystery, as the new Mrs. de Winter uncovers unsettling secrets about Rebecca’s life and death. Rebecca is based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier.
Release Date
April 12, 1940
Runtime
130 Minutes
Cast
Laurence Olivier
, Joan Fontaine
, George Sanders
, Judith Anderson
, Nigel Bruce
, Reginald Denny
, C. Aubrey Smith
, Gladys Cooper
Director
Alfred Hitchcock
4
Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) In Basic Instinct
Catherine Exudes Sexual Confidence While Insisting She’s Innocent
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Though brimming with controversy, the 1992 erotic thriller Basic Instinct is still hailed as a neo-noir classic. While investigating the murder of a rock star, detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) becomes infatuated with novelist Catherine Tramell, the number one suspect in the case. Although Catherine is exonerated for the crime, Nick still has his suspicions, yet he can’t seem to keep himself away from the dangerously seductive woman.
Catherine’s conviction is so persuasive that the audience really wants to believe her innocence.
Inarguably her most famous role, Sharon Stone’s portrayal of Catherine Tramell in Basic Instinct is what made her a star. A powerful woman who doesn’t apologize for her overt sexuality, Catherine’s conviction is so persuasive that the audience really wants to believe her innocence. Therein lies the rub, as Nick falls so hard for her that he easily falls into her trap. It isn’t until the final shot of the film reveals the ice pick under Catherine’s bed that we realize that Nick — as well as the audience — has been had.
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Basic Instinct
R
DramaMysteryThriller
Catherine Tramell is an extremely seductive writer and the main suspect in a murder case. Police officer Nick Curran is tasked with solving the crime, but becomes strongly attracted to Catherine, putting his own life at risk.
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Release Date
May 8, 1992
Runtime
128 minutes
Cast
Michael Douglas
, Sharon Stone
, George Dzundza
, Jeanne Tripplehorn
, Wayne Knight
, Denis Arndt
, Leilani Sarelle
, Bruce A. Young
Director
Paul Verhoeven
3
Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) In Sunset Boulevard
A Former Movie Star Looking To Feel Relevant Again — No Matter What
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Directed and co-written by the legendary Billy Wilder, Sunset Boulevard ranks among not only the best film noir movies but one of the best movies in cinema history. An ambitious screenwriter struggling to make it in Hollywood, Joe Gillis (William Holden) has a chance meeting with former silent film star Norma Desmond, an aging woman who seeks to relive her glory days. Norma latches onto Joe in an effort to feel younger and more relevant, leading to deadly consequences for Joe despite his sympathy for the forgotten starlet.
Earning an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, Swanson’s legendary performance is the highlight of Sunset Boulevard. Fueled by desperation, Norma’s aspirations for a big Hollywood comeback make it easy for her to believe the lies that surround her. When the illusion is shattered, she murders Joe and fully sinks into madness. The crazed look on Norma’s face as she looks into the camera for her close-up is a chilling final frame, one that places her in the femme fatale hall of fame.
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Sunset Boulevard
Approved
Film NoirDrama
Sunset Boulevard, directed by Billy Wilder, follows the story of a struggling screenwriter who becomes entangled with a faded silent film star yearning for a comeback. Starring William Holden and Gloria Swanson, the film explores themes of fame and delusion within Hollywood’s golden age. Released in 1950, the movie is notable for its critical examination of the film industry and its dark, dramatic narrative.
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Release Date
August 10, 1950
Runtime
110 Minutes
Cast
William Holden
, Gloria Swanson
, Erich von Stroheim
, Nancy Olson
, Fred Clark
, Lloyd Gough
, Jack Webb
, Franklyn Farnum
Director
Billy Wilder
2
Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) In Double Indemnity
The Ultimate Femme Fatale Who Seduces An Innocent Man Into Doing Her Dirty Work
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Another iconic Billy Wilder film noir, Double Indemnity defined the archetypal femme fatale with Phyllis Dietrichson. When insurance salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) first walks into the Dietrichson home, he is immediately smitten by the beautiful wife of Mr. Dietrichson. So smitten, in fact, that it takes almost no effort for Phyllis to coerce Walter into murdering her husband so that the two can collect on his life insurance policy.
Though she may play innocent in the beginning, Phyllis is as criminal as they come. Her talent lies in keeping her own hands clean while getting others to do her dirty work, and Walter is only her first victim. By the time he realizes he’s been bamboozled, it’s already too late.
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Double Indemnity
Not Rated
CrimeThriller
Double Indemnity is a 1944 crime thriller directed by Billy Wilder. An insurance salesman is dragged into a web of lies by a housewife who recently lost her husband and remains the lead suspect in his death. However, the deeper the salesman falls for her charms, the more his co-worker, an insurance claims investigator, begins to suspect foul play.
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Release Date
July 3, 1944
Runtime
107 Minutes
Cast
Fred MacMurray
, Barbara Stanwyck
, Edward G. Robinson
, Porter Hall
Director
Billy Wilder
1
Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) In Gone Girl
The Modern Femme Fatale Who Makes Audiences Yell “Good For Her!”
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Based on the bestseller by Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl is the tale of a woman scorned and the husband who suffers her vengeance. On their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) returns home to find his wife, Amy, is missing. Naturally, Nick is the police’s number one suspect, but as the clues start piling up, it soon becomes apparent that Amy has orchestrated an elaborate setup to ensure that her husband goes to jail for her murder.
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The character of Amy Dunne redefined the modern day femme fatale, as she perfectly constructs a narrative puzzle piece by deceptive piece. As more of her secret is uncovered, Nick learns that Amy has a history of psychopathic behavior. Nonetheless, the audience can’t help but admire Amy’s cunning, and her talent for manipulation.
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8/10
9.3/10
Gone Girl
9.50
DramaDocumentaryMysteryThriller
Based on Gillian Flynn’s 2012 novel, Gone Girl stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike as Nick and Amy Dunne, a couple whose disintegrating marriage is rocked by Amy’s sudden disappearance and Nick’s suspected hand in it. As evidence begins to pile up against Nick, it eventually becomes clear with a shocking twist that all is not what it seems. Flynn also wrote the screenplay for the film, with David Fincher directing.
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Release Date
October 1, 2014
Runtime
2h 29m
Cast
Ben Affleck
, Rosamund Pike
, Neil Patrick Harris
, Tyler Perry
, Carrie Coon
, Kim Dickens
Director
David Fincher