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

​​​​​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.

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

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 sH๏τs 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

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 H๏τ 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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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 idenтιтy 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 sH๏τs, stark lighting, and a haunting jazz soundtrack add to the Noir feel of Mulholland Drive.

3

Memento (2000)

Director Christopher Nolan

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 ᴀssaulter of his late wife. The further he delves into his investigation, the more he learns about his own secrets and skeletons.

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 idenтιтy, or lack thereof, suggesting his idenтιтy 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 sH๏τs, 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

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

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 idenтιтy 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 sH๏τs and stark shadows in the cinematography of the film, to further create the Noir look.