Neo-Noir is a modern film genre based on classic Film Noir that was first defined in the 1970s. While similar to Film Noir, it incorporates new elements that appeal to modern audiences. Some key conventions of Neo-Noir include using lighting techniques like chiaroscuro to create contrasts and discomfort, featuring morally ambiguous main characters, obscuring scenes through methods like smoke and steam rather than just shadows, and employing long continuous tracking shots. Well-known examples that demonstrate these conventions are The Usual Suspects, Pulp Fiction, Blade Runner, and Goodfellas.

1. Comprehensive analysis of
Neo-Noir

2. Background of Neo-Noir
Neo Noir is a modern genre of movies that was based off of the classic Film Noir movie genre.
This genre of film was first introduced by critics in 1970.
It has adopted many key features of this genre as well as incorporation new elements of films
that appeal to a modern audience.
However, due to its similarities with Film Noir, it is debated whether Neo-Noir is its own genre or
merely just a sub-genre.

3. Conventions of Neo-Noir: Lighting
In Neo-Noir films, they have similar uses of Lighting to the Film Noir genre. they adopt the
Chiaroscuro lighting style involving sharp contrasts between light and shade.
This can denote certain emotions or characteristics of a character as well as creating discomfort.
In Neo-Noir, they take this a step further with the use of coloured films. Stark contrasts between
colours such as bright yellows on dull browns can have a similar effect.
An example of this is the fire spreading in the opening scene of ‘The Usual Suspects’

4. Conventions of Neo-Noir: characters
Similarly to Film Noir, the main characters of Neo-Noir characters tend to have ambiguous
character traits.
For example, the main character may have had a notorious past however they are now trying to
change their ways. Another example is someone who commits violent crimes for a good cause.
This type of character creates conflicts in the audience as they are unsure whether they should
identify with that character or not.
An example of a character like this is Butch Coolidge from the film ‘Pulp Fiction’.

5. Conventions of Neo-Noir: Obscured scenes
Neo-Noir films do not rely on shadows as much in their movies and adopt other techniques to
obscure scenes.
One example of this is the use of steam and smoke in shots to create a sense of animosity in their
scenes.
An example of this would be ‘Blade Runner’

6. Conventions of Neo-Noir: tracking shots
In Neo-Noir scenes, it is common to have long tracking shots which are continuous shots that are
not broken.
Tracking shots as such can give the audience information about where the scene is set as well
where the characters are in relation to each other.
An example of a well known tracking shot is in the film ‘Goodfellas’. This shot gave us knowledge
of where the characters were as well as information on the character’s status.

7. Other examples of Neo-Noir films:
L.A Confidential (1997) No Country For Old Men (2007)
Sin City (2005)

8. The Dark Knight (2008) Seven (1995)
Fargo (1996)