Best Neo Noir Movies

From Bryan Singer, starring Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin
Rated R

The Usual Suspects is a 1995 American neo-noir mystery thriller directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie. The storyline follows the interrogation of Roger "Verbal" Kint, a small-time con man, who is one of only two survivors of a massacre and fire on a ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles. He tells an interrogator a convoluted story about events that led him and his associates to the boat, and of a mysterious criminal mastermind named Keyser Söze, who mostly controls an international criminal empire. As Kint's story spirals out of control, the interrogator comes to believe that he is not telling the truth, and eventually Verbal's story is revealed to be a fabrication. In a twist ending, it is revealed that Kint has been telling the truth all along, and the mysterious criminal mastermind is actually Verbal himself.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Boone Junior
Rated R

Memento follows Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) on his quest for revenge against the man who raped and murdered his wife. Leonard suffers from a rare condition called anterograde amnesia, which causes him to be unable to make new memories and remember past events. Leonard relies on a series of Polaroid photographs and tattoos with notes on his body to remind him of his mission and to piece together the events of the past. As the movie progresses, Leonard meets people who help him in his quest but also have their own agendas. As the pieces of the past are slowly revealed, Leonard discovers details that make him question his purpose and his identity.

From Roman Polanski, starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez
Rated R

Chinatown is a neo-noir mystery film set in 1937 Los Angeles. Private investigator J.J. "Jake" Gittes is hired by a woman to investigate her husband's infidelity. Gittes discovers a complex web of deceit involving the wife, her husband, and a tycoon who is seeking access to the city's water supply. In the course of his investigation, Gittes uncovers a secret that threatens to destroy the lives of everyone involved. With the help of an old colleague, Gittes ultimately succeeds in uncovering the truth but only at a terrible cost.

From Curtis Hanson, starring Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger
Rated R

L.A. Confidential is a 1997 neo-noir crime film directed by Curtis Hanson and based on the 1990 novel of the same name by James Ellroy. The film tells the story of three very different police officers in 1950s Los Angeles who team up to investigate a series of murders connected to a powerful and corrupt police precinct. Along the way, they uncover a web of scandal, corruption, and deception that threatens to tear their careers and the city apart. The cast includes Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Kim Basinger, Guy Pearce, Danny DeVito and James Cromwell. The film was a critical and commercial success, receiving numerous awards including nine Academy Award nominations, winning two for Best Supporting Actress (Basinger) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Hanson and Brian Helgeland).

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Albert Brooks
Rated R

Taxi Driver is a 1976 American psychological thriller film written by Paul Schrader and directed by Martin Scorsese. The film stars Robert De Niro as a taxi driver, Travis Bickle, a lonely veteran with a violent past who becomes obsessed with saving a young prostitute, played by Jodie Foster. After an unsuccessful attempt at a relationship with a fellow worker, Travis grows increasingly isolated and begins to act out his frustrations, eventually embarking on a campaign of vigilante justice. The film is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time and is renowned for its strong performances, intricate plot, and gritty realism.

From Ridley Scott, starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos
Rated R

Blade Runner is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott. Set in a dystopian future Los Angeles in 2019, the film follows Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former blade runner, as he is tasked to hunt down and "retire" a group of rogue replicants, who are genetically engineered androids that look like humans. In the process, Deckard uncovers a conspiracy involving the Tyrell Corporation, the manufacturer of the replicants, and faces difficult moral choices. His journey leads him to a mysterious woman named Rachael (Sean Young) who may not be what she seems. With its complex themes, iconic visuals, and a haunting soundtrack, Blade Runner is considered one of the greatest science fiction films of all time.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi
Rated R

The Big Lebowski is a 1998 dark comedy film directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Jeff Bridges stars as Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, a Los Angeles slacker and avid bowler. After being mistaken for a millionaire with the same name, The Dude is dragged into a tangled web of extortion and deception involving a millionaire, a trophy wife, and a severed toe. Along the way, The Dude is aided by his loyal bowling friends Walter (John Goodman) and Donny (Steve Buscemi). With a star-studded cast and an unforgettable soundtrack, The Big Lebowski is a humorous and unique adventure that delights the audience with its zany characters and story.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare
Rated R

Fargo is a crime drama written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. It stars Frances McDormand as Marge Gunderson, a pregnant police chief from Brainerd, Minnesota, who is investigating a series of homicides. Her investigation leads her to Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy), a car salesman from Minneapolis who has been masterminding a scheme to have his wife kidnapped and have the ransom money go to his father-in-law. Meanwhile, a pair of bumbling thugs (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) are sent to kidnap her, but things don't go as planned. The film features a darkly comic tone and uses the region's unique brand of Scandinavian-American dialect to bring the Coen brothers' trademark black humor to life. Fargo is a cleverly written, cleverly acted, and beautifully shot movie that was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won two.

From Directors: Frank Miller, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, starring Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba
Rated R

Sin City is a 2005 crime thriller film, co-directed by Frank Miller, Quentin Tarantino, and Robert Rodriguez. The film is based on Miller's graphic novel series of the same name. It follows three different stories, each set in the fictional city of Basin City, where corruption and violence are rampant. The first story follows Marv (Mickey Rourke), a hulking criminal seeking revenge on those who framed him for a murder. The second story follows Nancy (Jessica Alba), a young stripper seeking to avenge the death of her protector Hartigan (Bruce Willis). The third story follows Dwight (Clive Owen), a former cop who is now a hitman, as he tries to keep a powerful mob boss from controlling the city. The film is noted for its unique visual style, which combines traditional film noir elements with more modern, stylized visuals. It also features an all-star cast, including Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Clive Owen, Benicio Del Toro, and Elijah Wood. Sin City was a critical and commercial success, earning over $158 million at the box office on a production budget of only $40 million. It was nominated for various awards, including for

From David Lynch, starring Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Jeanne Bates
Rated R

Mulholland Drive is an experimental psychological thriller film written and directed by David Lynch. The film follows an aspiring Hollywood actress named Betty Elms, who arrives in Los Angeles only to discover that her aunt has died and left her an apartment. While staying there, Betty meets an amnesiac woman named Rita, who is on the run from a group of mysterious men. As the story unfolds, Betty and Rita become entangled in a complex web of identity, dreams, and reality. Along the way, they discover the harsh truths of Hollywood and the dark secrets of the city. Ultimately, Mulholland Drive is an exploration of the subconscious mind and the duality of reality and dreams.

From Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks
Rated R

Drive is a 2011 neo-noir crime drama film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Ryan Gosling as "Driver", a Hollywood stunt driver who moonlights as a getaway driver. Driver meets and falls in love with his neighbor Irene (Carey Mulligan), who is the wife of a jailed ex-convict. When her husband is released from prison, Driver agrees to help him with a heist, leading to a violent confrontation with two rival gangs in Los Angeles. Driver is pursued by a criminal mastermind and a relentless police detective, and must use every ounce of his skills and knowledge to stay one step ahead of his enemies and protect his newfound love.

From David Lynch, starring Isabella Rossellini, Kyle MacLachlan, Dennis Hopper, Laura Dern
Rated R

Blue Velvet is a psychological thriller directed by David Lynch. Set in the small town of Lumberton, North Carolina, the film follows a young man, Jeffrey Beaumont, as he investigates a mysterious collection of clues that he discovers after returning home from college. His investigation leads him to an underground world of violence, depravity, and hidden desires. Along the way, Jeffrey finds himself caught between a beautiful, but troubled lounge singer, Dorothy Vallens, and a sadistic criminal, Frank Booth. As Jeffrey navigates his way through this strange and dangerous underworld, he is forced to confront his own deepest fears and desires.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring John Getz, Frances McDormand, Dan Hedaya, M. Emmet Walsh
Rated R

Blood Simple is a 1984 neo-noir thriller directed by the Coen Brothers. It follows the story of Marty (Dan Hedaya), the owner of a small bar in Texas, who hires a private detective to investigate his wife Abby (Frances McDormand) whom he suspects is having an affair. The detective, Loren (M. Emmet Walsh), instead decides to double-cross Marty and use the information to blackmail him and Abby. After a series of gruesome double-crosses and misdirections, the film culminates in a violent, bloody climax. Blood Simple is notable for its use of extreme close-ups and off-kilter camera angles to evoke a feeling of paranoia and dread.

From Ben Affleck, starring Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan
Rated R

Gone Baby Gone is a 2007 American crime drama film directed by Ben Affleck and based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane. The film stars Casey Affleck as Patrick Kenzie and Michelle Monaghan as Angie Gennaro, two private investigators from Boston investigating the abduction of a four-year-old girl from her foster home. As the case unfolds, they soon discover the dark side of their own city and its criminal underworld. With the help of a police detective, the two search for the missing girl, encountering danger and moral dilemmas as they confront the truth.

From Shane Black, starring Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan, Corbin Bernsen
Rated R

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a 2005 neo-noir black comedy film directed by Shane Black and starring Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer, and Michelle Monaghan. Downey plays the role of Harry Lockhart, a petty thief who is mistakenly invited to an acting audition and is instead offered a job as a private investigator. With the help of his new partner, Perry Van Shrike (Val Kilmer), Harry is sent to Los Angeles to investigate the murder of a young actress. Along the way, Harry has to deal with a shady cast of characters, a convoluted mystery, and blackmail. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek, detective noir that combines suspense, action, and comedy and is full of twists and turns.

From Joel Coen, starring Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, Michael Badalucco, James Gandolfini
Rated R

The Man Who Wasn't There is a 2001 neo-noir black comedy film written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film follows Ed Crane (Billy Bob Thornton), a meek barber in 1940s California, who discovers his wife's infidelity and becomes involved in a mysterious scheme that eventually leads to murder. He is aided in his quest for justice by a friend, "Big Dave" Brewster (James Gandolfini), and seeks out a lawyer, Freddy Riedenschneider (Tony Shalhoub). The film received positive reviews and was nominated for several awards, including two Academy Awards. It has since become a cult classic and is widely considered to be one of the Coen Brothers' best films.

From Michael Mann, starring Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo
Rated R

Collateral is a 2004 neo-noir action crime thriller film directed by Michael Mann and written by Stuart Beattie starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx. Cruise stars as Vincent, a professional hitman hired to take out five targets in a single night. Foxx stars as Max, a taxi driver who gets caught up in Vincent’s mayhem. As Vincent forces Max to drive him around Los Angeles to complete his mission, they form an uneasy alliance and Max must rely on his street smarts to survive the night. Meanwhile, a dogged detective, played by Mark Ruffalo, is hot on Vincent’s trail. Through a series of twists, turns, and betrayals, Collateral is a gripping, fast-paced thriller that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats until the final scene.

From John Sayles, starring Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Peña, Stephen Mendillo, Stephen J. Lang
Rated R

From Jonathan Glazer, starring Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley, Ian McShane, Amanda Redman
Rated R

From Sidney Lumet, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney, Marisa Tomei
Rated R

From Rian Johnson, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lukas Haas, Emilie de Ravin, Meagan Good
Rated R

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson
Rated R

From Evan Morgan, starring Kaitlyn Chalmers-Rizzato, Adam Brody, Kaleb Horn, Wendy Crewson
Rated R

From William Friedkin, starring Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple, Thomas Haden Church
Rated R

From Harold Ramis, starring John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Connie Nielsen, Lara Phillips
Rated R