This is a tense detective movie that holds up very well, an astonishing accomplishment but par for the course with Fritz Lang. The mystery is mystifying, short on clues and long on adventure, and the solution is surprising, though something in the vein of Alfred Hitchcock Presents would have been better. The twists and turns of the plot are equally clever and riveting.
Closest comparison: It’s like The Batman (2022) by way of M.
Setting: Crime
Plot: Detective
Tone: Thriller
This movie is a solid noir, though more of a drama than a thriller like many of its contemporaries. It exchanges much of the standard sordid noir material for a tragic scam gone awry. The main characters are more sympathetic than good, and it ultimately amounts more to a cautionary tale than thriller or adventure.
Closest comparison: It’s like The Woman in the Window by way of Detour.
Setting: Drama
Plot: Mistaken Identity
Tone: Noir
This film noir centerpiece is a fascinating address of human psyche and the question of morality in the face of an imperfect justice system. It has all the hallmarks of the noir genre, including a male lead that wanders just beyond the line of morality and a will-they-won’t-they femme fatale. It’s equal parts crime drama, tawdry mess, and frank morality play. This movie shines in its clever plot by letting the audience in on the characters’ dualities to ratchet up the tension, paying off initial setups like gangbusters. If you’re a fan of film noir, this is a must-watch.
Closest comparison: It’s like It’s A Wonderful Life by way of Little Caesar (1939).
Setting: Noir
Plot: Cover-up
Tone: Thriller
