Film noirs have always leaned into the darkest impulses of human existence, and the desire for revenge has long been a cornerstone of the genre. From widowed cops tirelessly pursuing those who harmed their loved ones to old enemies emerging from the protagonist’s past in search of vengeance, sinister tales of revenge included some of the greatest film noirs ever made. As corrupt crooks, fatalistic femme fatales, and vilified victims become embroiled in conspiracies of murder and deceit, it’s inevitable that those who have been wronged wish to seek revenge.
Plenty of must-watch film noirs explore themes of revenge, as classic noir actors like Robert Mitchum excelled at playing morally corrupted characters who would stop at nothing for a chance at vengeance. These stories echo the fears and anxieties of their era, as the aftermath of the Second World War and fears around impending nuclear conflict led to many depictions of darkly sinister characters. With classic black-and-white cinematography, a moody atmosphere, and darkly witty dialogue, film noir has had countless classic revenge stories.
10 Out Of The Past (1947)
Directed by Jacques Tourneur
While countless men have tried to leave their past behind and lead a new life of anonymity, one trope of film noirs is that the past always finds a way to reveal itself. This was certainly the case for Out of the Past, starring Robert Mitchum as Jeff Bailey, previously known as Jeff Markham. As a former private eye who left it all behind to run a small-town gas station, when the dark events of his past come back to haunt him, Jeff must return to the big city and confront a story of corruption, dangerous dames, and revenge.
As a movie packed with atmosphere and a classic noir style, Out of the Past was a cinematic triumph from director Jacques Tourneur, previously known for horror movies like Cat People and I Walked with a Zombie. As a suave former detective, Mitchum oozed charisma in his role as he chain-smoked his way through this story of deceit, revenge, and trying to start anew. With moody cinematography and a talented supporting cast, including Jane Greer and Kirk Douglas, Out of the Past is a must-watch noir.
9 Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
Directed by Robert Aldrich
The gritty film noir Kiss Me Deadly was a highly influential movie where paranoia was the perfect metaphor for the fear contemporary viewers felt toward a potential impending nuclear war with the Soviet Union. With a nihilistic energy, Kiss Me Deadly involves a private detective embroiled in a revenge-laden conspiracy after he picks up a female hitchhiker. Based on the novel of the same name by legendary mystery author Mickey Spillane, this was just one of several stories featuring the PI Mike Hammer, played by Ralph Meeker.
Director Robert Aldrich truly captured the stylish energy of a film noir classic with Kiss Me Deadly. This influential movie even directly influenced director Quentin Tarantino, as its “shiny blue suitcase” MacGuffin helped inspire the glowing briefcase in his cult classic Pulp Fiction (via Far Out.) As a unique blend of genre stylings and real-world anxieties, Kiss Me Deadly captured the paranoia of McCarthyism during this time.
8 Scarlet Street (1945)
Directed by Fritz Lang
Scarlet Street, directed by Fritz Lang, follows Christopher Cross, a cashier and amateur artist, who becomes entangled with Kitty March, a woman interested only in her accomplice Johnny. As art dealers show interest in Chris’s work, Kitty and Johnny exploit his infatuation, leading to deceitful and complicating circumstances.
- Director
- Fritz Lang
- Release Date
- December 25, 1945
- Writers
- Dudley Nichols
- Cast
- Edward G. Robinson , Joan Bennett , Dan Duryea , Margaret Lindsay , Jess Barker , Rosalind Ivan , Charles Kemper , Anita Sharp-Bolster , Samuel S. Hinds , Vladimir Sokoloff , Arthur Loft , Russell Hicks , Richard Abbott , Rodney Bell , Richard Cramer , Dick Curtis , Tom Daly , Edgar Dearing , Joe Devlin , Tom Dillon , William Hall , Robert Malcolm , Neal Dodd , Ralph Dunn , Fred Essler
- Character(s)
- Christopher Cross , Katherine ‘Kitty’ March , Johnny Prince , Millie Ray , David Janeway , Adele Cross , Patch-eye Higgins , Mrs. Michaels , Charles Pringle , Pop LeJon , Dellarowe , J.J. Hogarth , Critic at Gallery (uncredited) , Barney (uncredited) , Principal Keeper (uncredited) , Detective (uncredited) , Penny – Bartender (uncredited) , Policeman (uncredited) , Joe Williams, Morning World (uncredited) , Priest (uncredited) , First Policeman in Park (uncredited) , Marchetti (uncredited)
- Runtime
- 103 minutes
The legend of German Expressionism Fritz Lang carried forward his incredible talents from the sci-fi classic Metropolis and the noir precursor M to make the fully fledged film noir Scarlet Street in 1945. This tale of two criminals taking advantage of a middle-aged painter to steal his artwork was based on the French novel La Chienne by Georges de La Fouchardière. As the meek man fell victim to deceit and betrayal, themes of revenge emerged as this complex story of human greed and manipulation built toward its heartbreaking conclusion.
Classic film noirs had the unique ability to delve into truly dark themes in a way that many other movies from their era could not. Scarlet Street was a perfect example of how noirs captured the bleakest aspects of human nature as innocent characters were left broken and mad, craving revenge from those who had exploited them. As a public domain film that’s widely available for viewing, every film noir lover should be sure to check out Scarlet Street.
7 The Dark Corner (1946)
Directed by Henry Hathaway
The Dark Corner (1946) is a film noir that follows a private investigator who becomes entangled in a web of deception, crime, and murder after he’s framed for a crime he didn’t commit. As he collaborates with his loyal secretary to clear his name, the pair must navigate a labyrinth of dangerous characters and hidden agendas in their quest for justice.
- Director
- Henry Hathaway
- Release Date
- May 8, 1946
- Writers
- Bernard C. Schoenfeld , Jay Dratler , Leo Rosten
- Cast
- Mark Stevens , Lucille Ball , Clifton Webb , William Bendix , Kurt Kreuger , Cathy Downs , Reed Hadley , Constance Collier , Eddie Heywood , Colleen Alpaugh , Charles Cane , Ellen Corby , Ralph Dunn
- Character(s)
- Bradford Galt , Kathleen Stewart , Hardy Cathcart , Stauffer a.k.a. Fred Foss , Anthony Jardine , Mari Cathcart , Lt. Frank Reeves , Mrs. Kingsley , Self , Little Girl with Slide Whistle , Policeman at Tony’s Apartment , Maid , Policeman at Gallery
- Runtime
- 99 Minutes
Bradford Galt (Mark Stevens) spent two years in jail after his former partner Tony Jardine (Kurt Kreuger) unfairly framed him in The Dark Corner. Having moved from New York to San Francisco to escape his troubled past, Bradford found himself once again embroiled in trouble, hounded by New York police lieutenant Frank Reeves and pursued by a thug in a white suit, who soon admitted he was hired by Jardine. These circumstances set up a story of deceit and revenge, as Bradford suspected he was being framed for murder.
However, in typical noir fashion, things were not quite as they seemed in The Dark Corner as a wider conspiracy involving a wealthy art gallery owner emerged to the forefront. While this story was based around the woes of Bradford, it was actually his quick-witted secretary, played by Lucille Ball, who stole the show. With strong chemistry between Stevens and Ball, The Dark Corner was a first-rate noir filled with witty dialogue, moody cinematography, and a distinctive sense of style.
6 Act Of Violence (1949)
Directed by Fred Zinnemann
Act of Violence (1949) is a taut film noir that explores the dark aftereffects of war on its characters. The story follows a World War II veteran who is terrorized by a former comrade, unraveling a tense narrative of guilt, revenge, and moral ambiguity. The film is marked by its stark cinematography and gripping performances, capturing the era’s sense of post-war disillusionment.
- Director
- Fred Zinnemann
- Release Date
- January 22, 1949
- Writers
- Robert L. Richards , Collier Young
- Cast
- Van Heflin , Robert Ryan , Janet Leigh , Mary Astor , Phyllis Thaxter , Berry Kroeger , Taylor Holmes , Harry Antrim , Connie Gilchrist , Will Wright , John Albright , Rudolph Anders , William Bailey , Margaret Bert , Barbara Billingsley , Douglas Carter , Bill Cartledge , Fred Datig Jr. , Sayre Dearing
- Character(s)
- Frank R. Enley , Joe Parkson , Edith Enley , Pat , Ann , Johnny , Gavery , Fred , Martha , Pop , Bellboy , German (voice) , Convention Party Drunk , Bystander , Woman (voice) , Heavy Jowled Man , Newsboy , Conventioneer
- Runtime
- 82 Minutes
The lingering memory of the horrors of World War II reared its ugly head in Act of Violence, a movie that leaned into the classic noir trope of the past coming back to haunt a seemingly normal man. While Frank Enley (Van Heflin) was a respected worker and family man in a small Californian town, his past surviving a Nazi POW camp comes back in full force when his once best friend Joe Parkson (Robert Ryan) comes to town. The actions of the past turned Joe into Frank’s enemy as he arrived to enact revenge and make him pay for his actions in the camp.
Act of Violence revealed that Frank altered SS Nazi officers to Joe’s and his comrades’ escape plan, and after being punished for their actions, Joe was the only survivor. This grim drama of good versus evil and the unknowing consequences of one’s actions made for thrilling viewing as Ryan perfectly captured the menacing air of a man seeking justice. With complex morality and deep-rooted themes of survivors’ guilt, Act of Violence captured the ongoing trauma survivors of the war felt during this time.
5 They Live By Night (1948)
Directed by Nicholas Ray
They Live by Night is a 1949 film following an escaped convict who, after being injured during a robbery, falls in love with a woman who nurses him back to health. Despite their deep connection, their romance faces inevitable challenges from the outset.
- Director
- Nicholas Ray
- Release Date
- November 1, 1949
- Writers
- Charles Schnee
- Cast
- Cathy O’Donnell , Farley Granger , Howard Da Silva , Jay C. Flippen , Helen Craig , Will Wright , William Phipps , Ian Wolfe , Harry Harvey , Marie Bryant , Will Lee , James Nolan , Charles Meredith , Teddy Infuhr , Byron Foulger , Guy Beach
- Character(s)
- Catherine “Keechie” Mobley , Arthur “Bowie” Bowers , Chicamaw One-Eye Mobley , Henry “T-Dub” Mansfield , Mattie , Mobley , Young Farmer , Hawkins , Hagenheimer , Singer , Jeweler , Schreiber , Comm. Hubbell , Alvin , Lambert , Plumber
- Runtime
- 96 minutes
They Live By Night was the film noir prototype of the later popular ‘couple on the run’ genre that exploded following the release of Bonnie and Clyde in 1967. As an influence on everyone from Jim Jarmusch to Robert Altman, who later made his own adaptation of Edward Anderson’s original novel Thieves Like Us, this film follows a young fugitive who falls in love with a woman and attempts to start a new life with her. However, Arthur “Bowie” Bowers’ (Farley Granger) past was not easy to escape, as those seeking revenge and justice for past actions cannot be avoided.
With elements of the doomed romance of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet along with the stylish teen outlaw aesthetic of Terrence Malick’s Badlands, They Live By Night was a film noir classic that also hinted toward the cinema of later eras. While many noirs from this time were sure to demonize the criminals at the heart of their stories, there was a sense of sympathy toward the young crook in They Live By Night. With dubious morality and a sentimental depiction of crime, They Live By Night embraced the complexity of human wrongdoings.
4 The Killers (1946)
Directed by Robert Siodmak
The Killers is a 1946 film noir directed by Robert Siodmak, based on Ernest Hemingway’s short story. The film stars Burt Lancaster in his debut role as a former boxer who becomes the target of contract killers. Ava Gardner plays his mysterious love interest. The narrative unfolds through a series of flashbacks, revealing a complex web of betrayal and crime. The Killers is noted for its dark atmosphere and intricate storytelling.
- Director
- Robert Siodmak
- Release Date
- August 30, 1946
- Writers
- Anthony Veiller , Richard Brooks , John Huston , Ernest Hemingway
- Cast
- Edmond O’Brien , burt lancaster , Ava Gardner , Albert Dekker , Sam Levene , Vince Barnett , Virginia Christine , Jack Lambert
- Character(s)
- Jim Reardon , Swede Anderson , Kitty Collins , Big Jim Colfax , Lt. Sam Lubinsky , Charleston , Lilly Harmon Lubinsky , Dum-Dum Clarke
- Runtime
- 103 Minutes
The iconic 1927 Ernest Hemingway story The Killers has been adapted for the screen several times; however, the most iconic is the original 1946 version. As the film debut of Burt Lancaster, this adaptation even pleased Hemingway himself, a writer who notoriously was often dissatisfied with film versions of his work. Hemingway said of this version of The Killers: “It is a good picture and the only good picture ever made of a story of mine.” (via Far Out.)
The Killers was about two hitmen who, after their victim didn’t attempt to escape being murdered, tried to uncover the mystery of who ordered the hit and what their intentions were. With themes of revenge and retribution, The Killers was a must-watch film noir classic. While the later 1964 version starring Lee Marvin and Ronald Reagan was also one of the few worthy film noir remakes, it didn’t quite manage to outdo the original.
3 Double Indemnity (1944)
Directed by Billy Wilder
Double Indemnity is a 1944 crime thriller directed by Billy Wilder. An insurance salesman is dragged into a web of lies by a housewife who recently lost her husband and remains the lead suspect in his death. However, the deeper the salesman falls for her charms, the more his co-worker, an insurance claims investigator, begins to suspect foul play.
- Director
- Billy Wilder
- Release Date
- July 3, 1944
- Studio(s)
- Paramount Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Paramount Pictures
- Writers
- Billy Wilder , Raymond Chandler
- Cast
- Fred MacMurray , Barbara Stanwyck , Edward G. Robinson , Porter Hall
- Runtime
- 107 Minutes
- Budget
- $980,000
With countless classic movies to his name, such as Sunset Boulevard and The Apartment, Billy Wilder was among the finest directors Hollywood has ever seen. With talent that extends to several genres, Wilder’s crowning achievement when it came to film noir was the undisputed classic Double Indemnity. This tale of an insurance salesman plotting with a woman to kill her husband and take the payout for themselves has come to be regarded not only as an essential noir release but also as one of the best movies ever made.
With themes of murder, revenge, and greed, Double Indemnity set a new standard for film noirs, as its complex character motivations and dark themes of insurance fraud made it an edge-of-the-seat viewing experience. With an incredible 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Double Indemnity has truly stood the test of time. Despite being robbed of Best Picture by Going My Way, the seven Academy Award nominations for Double Indemnity highlight its timeless nature and enduring legacy.
2 Cape Fear (1962)
Directed by J. Lee Thompson
Cape Fear is a 1962 thriller directed by J. Lee Thompson. It stars Gregory Peck as Sam Bowden, a lawyer who becomes the target of Max Cady, played by Robert Mitchum. Recently released from prison, Cady seeks revenge by persistently stalking Bowden and his family.
- Director
- J. Lee Thompson
- Release Date
- April 12, 1962
- Writers
- James R. Webb
- Cast
- Gregory Peck , Robert Mitchum , Polly Bergen , Lori Martin , Martin Balsam , Jack Kruschen , Telly Savalas , Barrie Chase , Paul Comi , John McKee , Page Slattery , Ward Ramsey , Edward Platt , Will Wright , Joan Staley , Mack Williams , Alan Reynolds , Herb Armstrong , Cindy Carol , Alan Wells , Allan Ray , Paul Levitt , Kenner G. Kemp , Bob Noble , Jeffrey Sayre
- Character(s)
- Sam Bowden , Max Cady , Peggy Bowden , Nancy Bowden , Police Chief Mark Dutton , Attorney Dave Grafton , Private Detective Charles Sievers , Diane Taylor , Garner , Officer Marconi , Deputy Kersek , Officer Brown , Judge , Dr. Pearsall , Waitress , Dr. Lowney , Vernon , Waiter , Betty , Young Blade , Police Operator , Extra at Bar / Table Extra at Bar (uncredited) , Pedestrian (uncredited) , Bar Patron (uncredited)
- Runtime
- 105 minutes
Cape Fear combined the sheer terror of psychological thrillers with the stylish aesthetic of film noirs to produce a stone-cold classic tale of revenge. With Robert Mitchum as the violent psychopath Max Cady, Cape Fear explored this ex-con’s attempt to enact revenge upon Sam Bowden (Gregory Peck), the attorney who was responsible for his conviction eight years before. Due to a legal loophole, Cady was released and vowed to make not just Bowden but his entire family pay for sending him to jail.
As a much darker and more sinister story than the average filmgoer was used to in 1962, Mitchum truly captured the horrific nature of a killer who will stop at nothing to enact his vengeance. While the 1991 remake by Martin Scorsese recast Mitchum with Robert De Niro, it’s hard to top the noir energy of the original. Mitchum had some truly great film noirs throughout his career, yet the role of Cady remained among his most eerily sinister and darkly powerful performances.
1 The Big Heat (1953)
Directed by Fritz Lang
The Big Heat is a classic film noir directed by Fritz Lang and starring Glenn Ford as a dedicated detective seeking justice against a corrupt city. The movie delves into themes of vengeance and moral ambiguity, featuring strong supporting performances from Gloria Grahame and Lee Marvin. Noted for its stark cinematography and intense narrative, The Big Heat remains a significant entry in the genre.
- Director
- Fritz Lang
- Release Date
- October 14, 1953
- Studio(s)
- Columbia Pictures
- Writers
- Sydney Boehm
- Cast
- Glenn Ford , Gloria Grahame , Lee Marvin , Jeanette Nolan , Alexander Scourby
- Runtime
- 89 Minutes
- Budget
- 0.0
From M to Scarlet Street, the list of Fritz Lang film noir classics was impressive, although none could top his masterful work on The Big Heat. This classic noir tale of revenge starred Glenn Ford as homicide detective Sergeant Dave Bannion, a cop determined to take on the crime syndicate that controls his city. However, this noble act of law enforcement becomes a personal quest for revenge after Bannion’s wife was killed by the crooks in a car bomb explosion.
With a career-best performance from Ford, the entire cast of The Big Heat was fantastic as this grim noir story burrowed into the very heart of darkness. From Lee Marvin’s disfiguring of Gloria Grahame, as he threw hot coffee in her face, to Bannion’s tireless pursuit of justice, The Big Heat was among the finest film noirs ever made. By turning several genre conventions on their head and leaning into the brutal intensity of criminal behavior, The Big Heat was the story of an honest man forced to breaking point in his relentless desire for revenge.
Sources: Far Out, Far Out