neo-noir
Modern cynical crime
Neo-noir is film or fiction that revives the style and themes of classic noir—shadowy visuals, morally ambiguous characters, cynical worldview—but in contemporary or updated settings.
Where classic noir emerged in 1940s Hollywood, neo-noir applies the same fatalistic sensibility to modern stories: Chinatown, Blade Runner, and L.A. Confidential are touchstones of the genre.
Professional crime investigator
- mysterySomething unexplained or unknown
- antiheroMorally ambiguous main character
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
betrayal · double-cross · investigation · whodunit · blackmail · frame-up · cover-up · confession
Motion picture visual craft
- voice-overOff-screen spoken commentary
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
- chiaroscuroContrast technique in painting
- shadowsDark areas from blocked light
rain-soaked · slow-motion · desaturated · stylized · atmospheric · moody · backlighting · silhouette
Doubting human goodness
- pessimisticExpecting negative outcomes
- bleakDreary and without cheer
- fatalisticBelieving events are inevitable
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
existential · nihilistic · paranoid · melancholic · alienated · disillusioned · world-weary · ominous
Informal term for detective
- whiskeyOak-aged grain spirit
- cigarettePaper-wrapped tobacco cylinder
- revolverPistol with rotating chamber
- underworldRealm of the departed
interrogation · informant · seedy · tough · streetwise · wisecracking · jaded · loner
View of urban architecture
- neonInert illuminating element
- alleywaysNarrow urban passages
- nightclubEvening entertainment venue
- motelRoadside lodging for drivers
warehouse · diner · skyscrapers · downtown · subway · streetlights · industrial · waterfront
Given artistic treatment
- sleekSmooth and elegant
- retro-modernBlending old with new
- color-gradingAdjusting footage's hues and tones
- minimalistOne favoring bare essentials
angular · geometric · glossy · slick · designer · tailored · sunglasses · retrofuturism
detective
Professional crime investigator
- mysterySomething unexplained or unknown
- antiheroMorally ambiguous main character
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
conspiracy · betrayal · double-cross · investigation · whodunit · blackmail · frame-up · cover-up · confession · revelation
cinematography
Motion picture visual craft
- voice-overOff-screen spoken commentary
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
- chiaroscuroContrast technique in painting
shadows · rain-soaked · slow-motion · desaturated · stylized · atmospheric · moody · backlighting · silhouette · nocturnal
cynical
Doubting human goodness
- pessimisticExpecting negative outcomes
- bleakDreary and without cheer
- fatalisticBelieving events are inevitable
brooding · existential · nihilistic · paranoid · melancholic · alienated · disillusioned · world-weary · ominous · foreboding
gumshoe
Informal term for detective
- whiskeyOak-aged grain spirit
- cigarettePaper-wrapped tobacco cylinder
- revolverPistol with rotating chamber
underworld · interrogation · informant · seedy · tough · streetwise · wisecracking · jaded · loner · nocturnal
cityscape
View of urban architecture
motel · warehouse · diner · skyscrapers · downtown · subway · streetlights · industrial · waterfront · bridge
stylized
Given artistic treatment
- sleekSmooth and elegant
- retro-modernBlending old with new
- color-gradingAdjusting footage's hues and tones
minimalist · angular · geometric · glossy · slick · designer · tailored · sunglasses · retrofuturism · postmodern
- film genreshorror, comedy, drama, action, romance
- crime filmsheist film, crime drama, crime thriller, murder mystery, mystery film
- genre fictionhigh fantasy, detective fiction, low fantasy, spy fiction, dark fantasy
- Erotic ThrillersBasic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, Wild Things, Eyes Wide Shut, seduction
- neo- wordsneolithic, neologism, neophyte, neoplasm, neocortex
- Noirfemme fatale, detective, gumshoe, hard-boiled, trench coats
neo-noirfilm noir
Stylish, shadowy crime drama
Golden Age Hollywood · musical comedy · screwball comedy · romantic comedy · light entertainment
neo-noirromantic comedy
Humorous love story genre
sunny · bright · whimsical · heartwarming · saccharine
neo-noirutopian
Impractically perfect in conception
idealistic · hopeful · morality tale · triumphalist · fairy tale