The evolution of the femme fatale: assessing her transition into films of the neo noir

The femme fatale archetype is traditionally associated with a deadly woman, who employs her sexuality and charm to seduce the male protagonist into carrying out her lethal bidding. This dissertation aims to assess the nature of the femme fatale's evolution from her early incarnation in film noir of the 1940s, to her more recent reinterpretation in the neo noir movement. The femme fatale archetype has been successfully re-worked into the neo noir, and like her film noir counterpart is reflective of the changing contextual concerns of American society. This study will discuss several key concepts relating to the evolution of the femme fatale, charting her emergence in film noir of the 1940s, and asserting the contexts that surround her reinterpretation in films of the neo noir. This study also includes close analysis of the style and image of the femme fatale on screen, and an assessment of the use of pastiche in films of the neo noir . Research for this project has been largely based in secondary sources such as books and journals, but I make use of primary source film texts to reinforce my arguments. Through this research, I have been able to reach conclusion surrounding the nature of the femme fatale's evolution. The femme fatale and her reincarnations have long been a great interest of mine and through this dissertation I hope to present an interested field of discussion and study for my readers.