film noir

[nwahr]

noun

1. a motion picture with an often grim urban setting, photographed in somber tones and permeated by a feeling of disillusionment, pessimism, and despair.

film noir

/ nwɑː /

noun

1. a gangster thriller, made esp in the 1940s in Hollywood characterized by contrasty lighting and often somewhat impenetrable plots

Word History and Origins

Origin of film noir¹

1955–60; < French: literally, black film

Word History and Origins

Origin of film noir¹

C20: French, literally: black film

Example Sentences

Dark film noir compositions alternate with bright sunny street scenes.

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But the film noir lighting on Anderson’s eyes is spot-on, as are two sight gags that are built around the set’s extreme shadows.

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Opera in its advertisements likens it to film noir.

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Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House programme, he said the "list of imagined assassination methods" on his life "reads like a film noir".

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His films were often filled with recurrent characters and motifs, and blended film noir darkness, suspense and ensemble casts.

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