You may recall my deep dive into the Western Genre a few months back. In honor of Noirvember this month, I decided to dive deeper into one of my favorite genres–Film Noir.
I say genre; rather, Film Noir is an American movement during the 1940s and 1950s, known for its crime plots, femme fatales, black-and-white cinematography, and cynical attitudes. It’s debatable whether films that follow these structures outside of the American 40s and 50s are still classified as Noir, but I decided to watch a range of films, starting in the 30s all the way up to 2023.
Below are the top ten films that stuck out to me during this exploration. And if you want more Noirvember, check out our double feature here!
The Roaring Twenties (1939)
Raoul Walsh’s crime thriller follows three war veterans through the end of World War I, Prohibition, and the stock market crash of 1929. Primarily following James Cagney as Eddie Bartlett, the film’s most noir aspect is its critique of American capitalism and how a man’s morals waver when large sums of money can be made. Focusing more on the historical context of the twenties, the rise and fall of good men applies to the 30s, the 40s, and today.
Laura (1944)
Love or obsession? Murder or mistake? In my humble opinion, Laura, starring Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, and Clifton Webb, is one of the most unique spins on the classic noir plot. The use of flashbacks and unreliable narration makes this a thrilling watch right up until the final clock chime.
Double Indemnity (1944)
Anyone who has met me knows that Double Indemnity is one of my favorite movies. It’s a loaded statement, I know, but if you are looking for the “quintessential” Noir, this is it. Barbara Stanwyck gives her best performances as one of the deadliest femme fatales from the 40s. The film has every element you could ask for in a classic Noir, including high-contrast black-and-white photography, musty apartments, late-night adulterous meetings, murder, money, and a narrator whom we don’t know whether to despise or root for. If you only pick one film from this list, please watch this as soon as possible.
Gilda (1946)
The cut-throat chemistry between Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford makes Gilda an irresistible experience, offering passion, disdain, and nuance in every scene. Plus, Hayworth delivers iconic musical numbers, so this is fun for all the Noir skeptics out there!
Sunset Boulevard (1950)
More than a criticism of the United States, a criticism of Hollywood, perhaps? Billy Wilder truly acted as a powerhouse during this movement by directing some of the most iconic films of all time. Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond is one of the most haunting female figures in film history. Ooh lala, this film is such a deadly treasure.
The Big Heat (1953)
If Wilder and Bogart are synonymous with film noir, I’d like to add Glenn Ford to the list. Here, Ford plays a family man and a cop, but there is something sinister underneath the surface. Fritz Lang, although this film comes a little late in the movement, offers a powerful crime story with undertones of American cynicism.
Chinatown (1974)
Probably the best homage to the traditional noir, Roman Polanski pulls off one of my favorite films from this genre. Faye Dunaway, although not the traditional femme fatale, delivers a nuanced performance full of pain and anger. Jack Nicholson is probably the perfect actor for a noir homage because, like Bogart or Ford, he carries such an egotistical suave that makes him the perfect pessimistic protagonist. And the ending? It had me standing up.
Blood Simple (1984)
Watching four characters, or three, crumble as their lives become interwoven due to money, murder, and misunderstandings makes the Coen Brothers’ debut one of the first neo-noir successes.
The Dark Knight (2008)
I would never write this type of list without mentioning one of my top five all-time favorite films. Call me biased, but Nolan’s version of the iconic, dark superhero is a near-perfect combination of a superhero film and a neo-noir. It goes without saying that Heath Ledger permanently places himself in film history as one of the most iconic villains of all time.
The Killer (2023)
Coincidentally, the film came out in November 2023, so it felt necessary to include it in the list. Although this was not my favorite version of a noir, neo-noir, or thriller, David Fincher directed a unique experience with an intimate look at the mind of an assassin. Equating a cold-blooded killer to “the many” makes this film carry capitalist criticism in a way that is both thought-provoking and bone-chilling.
You Can Find a Full List of Films from My Noirvember Celebration Here!
List Courtesy of Sara Ciplickas
Feature Image from Double Indemnity (1944); Credit to Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures
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