Characters of Film Noir

Femme Fatale

The femme fatale is one of the main characters of Film Noir also usually the villain or the antagonist, this is a very seductive woman who had great power over the hero. She is often shot from lower angles which display power as other characters and the audience look up to her.She usually has a lot of experience and is very clever, she gets things done her way by manipulating the hero usually into doing her dirty work by making him believe that she is vulnerable and in love with him.She is often shot from lower angles which display power as other characters and the audience look up to her.

Hero

This is the main character who's troublesome story we follow, he is usually unaware of the situation and slowly comes to find out as does the audience. This character is normally pessimistic and lonely or a hard-boiled man.

Usually things happen to the hero due to a streak of bad luck which he cannot control, whilst trying to get out of trouble he ends up putting himself in more trouble by being around the wrong people and the wrong time and at the wrong place. They may have to go through bad experiences such as being attacked, interrogated and tested.

The hero is often swept off his feet by the femme fatale as she persuades him to do things he wouldn't normally do.

Other Characters

Due to the dark nature of Film Noir it is only natural that they would have gangsters which add the dangers to the story and millionaires who are usalylly behind the crime.

There is also a lot of crime so the police must be involved, even corrupt policemen and corrupt politicians, this adds to the braking of trust which is also a big element in Film Noir characteristics.

Often the Femme Fatale is not the only female involved in the plot. There is usually another woman who is the opposite of the the antagonist. This female wants the best for the protagonist.