"After dark all cats are leopards."-American Indian Proverb

Double Indemnity (1944-Billy Wilder) is a prime example of a classic film noir film. A story of greed, murder, violence, betrayal and suspicion told with a voice over, complete with femme fatale keeps the audience intrigued in the crime storyline. Film noir films are often influenced by expressionism, have a dark sombre feel because of the dark atmosphere visually. Film Noir techniques are expertly shown in this film. Visual techniques such as black and white photography, night settings, low-key lighting, high contrasts, close-ups, and extreme camera angles. Although today these techniques may seem cliched as so many films since have been influenced by these film noir techniques, Double Indemnity is a great film to see if, wanting to see an example of film noir or a fan of film noir.

"A world of obsession, alienation, corruption, deceit, blurred identity, paranoia, dementia, weak men, cold- blooded femme fatales, and inevitably murder. Its style consisted of looming close ups, oblique camera angles, and crowded compositions that produced a sense of entrapment. The film's narratives were rarely straightforward; they contained frequent flashbacks and voice-overs." "Characterized by sexual insecurity, aberrant psychology, and nightmarish camera work, film noir depicted a world of threatening shadows and ambiguities." (Digital History)