What are noir films and when did they emerge?

Film noir is a cinematic genre that emerged in the early 1940s, characterised by its distinctive visual style, morally complex characters, and themes of crime, corruption and existential despair. The term "noir," which means "black" or "dark" in French, was coined by French critics in the 1940s to describe a wave of American films that, although unconnected in terms of production, shared a certain dark, pessimistic tone and stylised visuals. These films were often distinguished by their use of shadowy, high-contrast lighting, angular camera angles and moody urban settings, which created a sense of danger and moral ambiguity.

The origins of noir can be traced back to the post-World War II period, particularly the mid-1940s and early 1950s. This era was marked by a shift in American society, as the country struggled with the aftermath of the war, economic uncertainty and a sense of disillusionment. This cultural backdrop, combined with the changing social landscape, laid the foundation for noir's themes of corruption, betrayal and the flawed nature of human beings. The genre’s stories often revolve around morally ambiguous protagonists—hard-boiled detectives, anti-heroes and femme fatales—who navigate a world of crime and deception, where right and wrong are not always clear.

Noir films were heavily influenced by the German Expressionist movement of the 1920s, which emphasised distorted, exaggerated visuals to convey the psychological states of characters. Filmmakers in Hollywood, many of whom had fled Europe during World War II, brought these techniques with them, creating the stark, shadowy aesthetic associated with noir. Films such as The Maltese Falcon (1941), directed by John Huston and Double Indemnity (1944), directed by Billy Wilder, are often cited as the genre's foundational works. These films were based on hard-boiled detective novels, a genre popularised by writers like Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, whose stories provided the perfect narrative structure for noir.

As the 1940s gave way to the 1950s, the genre reached its peak, with films like Sunset Boulevard (1950), Out of the Past (1947), and The Big Sleep (1946) further solidifying noir’s cultural influence. While the genre declined by the late 1950s due to changing tastes and the rise of color films, its legacy continues to influence filmmakers to this day. Neo-noir films, such as Chinatown (1974) and Blade Runner (1982), revived the genre's dark themes and visual style, demonstrating the enduring appeal of noir’s exploration of moral ambiguity and the darker side of human nature.

In conclusion, noir films emerged in the 1940s as a response to the disillusionment of post-war America, blending crime, pessimism and stylistic innovation into a genre that has become a cornerstone of cinematic history. With their unforgettable visuals, complex characters, and explorations of human flaws, noir films remain as relevant today as they were when they first appeared on screen.