"The neo-noir genre builds on the foundations of classic film noir, a movement that peaked from the mid-1940s to around 1960. Classic noir was defined by its dark, fatalistic tone and distinctive visual style—low-key lighting, heavy shadows, and skewed compositions. Many argue that noir is less a genre than a mood or aesthetic, which makes defining its modern counterpart even harder. Neo-noir generally refers to post-1965 films that revive noir's bleak atmosphere and visual sensibility while adapting them to new settings, eras, and moral complexities. These works often explore corruption, alienation, and blurred morality, though thematic overlap isn't required to earn the label. The category remains elastic and subjective—what one viewer deems neo-noir, another might see as a conventional mystery or thriller. Ultimately, neo-noir thrives as a "you know it when you see it" form, marked by its brooding tone, stark imagery, and morally conflicted characters." - whatnerd.com
