Contemporary Noir / Neo-noir

Contemporary Noir or Neo-Noir is a modern piece of film that is influenced the film noir era starting in the 1920 and lasting until the early 60’s. neo-noir uses different aspects of film noir such as plot, characters, stylistics and mise-en-scene. Unlike classic noirs, neo-noir films are aware of modern technology and modern film techniques, and these modern techniques and technology are incorporated into the plot-line. Due to Hollywood blockbusters in recent times some neo-noirs don’t seem to be as big or popular as these. But the genre of film noir has had a huge impact on other current genres like horrors using shadows and silhouettes to suspend their audience.







Neo-noirs usually incorporate certain aspects of film noir. Such as low-key lighting, silhouettes, lipstick, make-up. Or the plot could have a miserable end, where the protagonist becomes trapped in a web of crime and becomes involved with a femme-fetal. Three good examples in my opinion of neo-noirs in recent times are;


• Se7en


• Brick


• Sin City